SANDPOINT — Karin Wedemeyer, founder of Music Conservatory of Sandpoint, said during a phone interview with the Daily Bee that she did not consent to stepping down from her position as executive director. 

MCS, an international school of performing arts dedicated to educating Bonner County students from preschool to 12th grade, was co-founded by Wedemeyer in 2009, where she said she gave "countless advice to young artists, parents and others in my industry who wanted my input on building sustainable cultural and educational programs drawing from my extensive knowledge" in a Thursday press release. 

However, after being at the conservatory for 17 years, Wedemeyer said she was placed on a forced leave of absence by the MCS board. 

Wedemeyer's comments follow a Thursday press release from conservatory officials stating that she had "transitioned out of her executive leadership role with the organization." 

Wedemeyer said she experienced harassment, including being accosted in public, spied on, and locked out of her email account. 

Wedemeyer also said she was asked not to step into the conservatory building, placed under a gag order and told that staff were instructed not to speak with her. 

"The level of harassment I have experienced and how it was dealt with was so incredibly destructive," said Wedemeyer. 

Additionally, Wedemeyer said her pay was withheld, and she was removed as a singer for the Carmina Burana, a musical concert held earlier this month at the Panida Theater, the conclusion of a year of preparation. 

Wedemeyer said that a breakdown of communication with the board began roughly nine months ago, after Wedemeyer expressed her discomfort with new board member decisions. 

"My fearless approach to cultural anxiety has been met with dismay and my voiced concern about excessive financial risk-taking has been met with hostility," said Wedemeyer in the press release. 

Wedemeyer said that upon voicing her concerns regarding the decisions, she was met with "strong, belligerent behavior." 

"Students and staff were thriving, but now I am under attack from within the school," said Wedemeyer in the press release.  "A new board member who envisions a new horizon for the school and is proficient in marketing, believes the future lies exactly there." 

Born and raised in Breman, Germany, Wedemeyer said she is held hostage by her DNA when it comes to music, noting that she comes from a lineage of musicians. 

Ultimately, Wedemeyer pursued a career as a professional opera singer, but said her degree in history gave her direction with conservatory. 

"It was a guiding light because it served as a huge resource and deeper understanding of protecting a historic building," said Wedemeyer. 

In 2008, Wedemeyer and fellow co-founder Ruth Klinginsmith got together for a cup of coffee. While waiting for their drinks to cool, the two women discussed their original plans of creating a one-day workshop. 

However, the delay allowed them to consider the possibility of building a conservatory instead. 

"If we had been served iced tea, there would have been no conservatory because we had to wait and think," said Wedemeyer. "We came up with something bigger." 

In 2009, the conservatory opened its doors to the community, and Wedemeyer said she has been there through its growing pains. 

"We have gone through all of these challenges, be it COVID, be it inflation, and many other things," said Wedemeyer. 

As a key figure in supporting the conservatory during difficult times, Wedemeyer said her expertise should be taken seriously. 

After voicing that she wanted to see less of a marketing-focused approach to sustain the health of the school, Wedemeyer said her input was dismissed with hostility by the board chairman. 

"I have placed my trust into the hands of a lawyer, so I understand my rights. I also place my trust in the hands of the public so that the conservatory may not be sold to the highest bidder," said Wedemeyer in the press release.