Ingenuity 2026
We’re incredibly grateful to partner with @ingenuitycleveland this year and bring the Music Meadow Stage to the festival!
We’re so excited to share three days of incredible music with you all, featuring an amazing lineup of artists from across Cleveland and beyond.
A huge thank you to everyone who has helped bring this stage to life especially the artists, musicians, designers, organizers, and volunteers who have poured their time, energy, and creativity into making the Music Meadow what it is.
And most importantly, thank you to all of the artists joining us throughout the weekend. We’re incredibly grateful for the work you do and can’t wait for everyone to experience what you’re bringing to the stage.
September 25–27
@ingenuitycleveland
Swipe through to see the full lineup and find out who’s playing each day.
Come celebrate Cleveland’s incredible creative community with us!
Gruve Tonic Trio - Friday 6:30-8PM
Gruve Tonic is known for performing "Feel Good Music." The core lineup is a versatile musical duo John Pearson (Guitar, lead vocals, and primary songwriter) Mikel Mahoney (Percussion and backing vocals. The group plays an eclectic mix of pop, rock, smooth jazz, and soul favorites. Their set lists span multiple generations of covers alongside original songs written by John Pearson.
John also works as a Music Therapist with University Hospitals Connor Whole Health. ROOTS is grateful to work with an artist who has meaningful experience in this field. He has been a full-time musician since 2009, specializing in making music for adults in assisted living and rehabilitation facilities throughout the Cleveland area. He also records and performs his own original music. Pearson earned his bachelor’s degree in 2023 and became a board-certified music therapist. He is currently working part-time in the University Hospitals emergency department as part of research study that is examining music therapy and acupuncture as alternatives to opioids.
From Rio With Love - Friday 9:30-10PM
From Rio With Love is a Cleveland-based musical duo whose mission extends far beyond entertainment. Through honest lyrics, soulful melodies, and authentic storytelling, they use music as a tool for healing, self-discovery, and personal transformation. Drawing from their own life experiences, they create music that speaks to resilience, purpose, and the beauty of becoming. Their message is simple yet powerful: love yourself, trust your journey, and never underestimate what you’re capable of becoming.
More than a performance, From Rio With Love is a reminder that healing is possible, growth is intentional, and love begins within.
ROOTS is excited to welcome artists to our stage who are passionate about making the world a more beautiful place and believe deeply in the power of education. “From Rio with Love” is an uplifting project whose powerful words capture the heart of what we do through our Stop The Hate songwriting workshops.
https://fromriowithlove.bandcamp.com/album/from-rio-with-love
https://www.instagram.com/from_riowithlove/
Thicarus - Friday 10:30-11:45PM
Thicarus is a dynamic, horn-driven funk and rock band based in Cleveland, Ohio. Describing themselves humorously as a "band of hired guns" and a group that is "like Icarus, but a little thicker," they are known for their energetic, danceable live performances that blend heavy grooves with sharp horn arrangements.
Thicarus features a highly collaborative, unique approach to songwriting, with individual members frequently driving new material. For instance, their prominent track "Get Thic (Funky Rollins)" was envisioned by trumpet player Garrett Folger, while other songs lean into unexpected genres like disco. Their live sets mix intricate instrumentation with playful audience engagement and sing-alongs.
In late 2025, Thicarus released their first studio EP, mixed with the help of Cleveland producer Noah Foutz and this past year "Too close to the buns" was selected by the Cleveland Public Library to be featured on The People's Playlist.
Will Horner (Trombone), one of the band leaders is a ROOTS teaching artist with Blues is the Backbone, and in that role is beloved by Cleveland area kindergartners and second graders. We’re thrilled to bring his band, comprised of full-time, gigging musicians active in the local Cleveland music scene: Garrett Folger (Trumpet) Joe Kardos (Saxophone) Kevin Gerity (Guitar) Sebastain Mango (Bass) Crystal Burks (Drums), to the ROOTS stage at Ingenuity.
https://www.instagram.com/thicarus_the_band/
Carolina Borja - Saturday 2-3PM
Carolina Borja is a multi-genre cellist and Afro-Colombian folk singer, bilingual educator, storyteller and composer. She’s interested in exploring sounds and musical roots from around the world and the impact of music in human development.
She has done community outreach and program development for young audiences. Her work reflects her avid search for her roots and creativity, together with her role within the African diaspora in the Americas.
Carolina holds a masters degree in Cello Performance Pedagogy from Ohio University. She is a Fulbright, Martin Luther King Jr. and New Music USA Creator Development Fund receiver, among other distinctions.
Carolina brings so much passion and enthusiasm to ROOTS as a Teaching Artist. We’re thrilled to highlight her incredible range of skills, celebrate her work in our classrooms and communities, and give her a moment to shine on stage at Ingenuity!
https://carolinaborjamusic.com/about
Jeffrey Cruz - Saturday 4:30-6PM
Jeffrey Cruz is a singer - songwriter from Cleveland, Ohio. His new single, ‘Don’t Look Back’ is available on all streaming services. Jeffrey draws inspiration from artists such as Marvin Gaye, Stevie Wonder, and Anderson .Paak. By using fun grooves and story telling lyrics; he aspires to write music that motivates, resonates, and empathizes with whoever the listener may be.
ROOTS was excited to welcome Jeffrey onto our Artist Roster this summer with his first performance at the Fatima Family Center as a featured artist in the “Food for the Soul” concert series. Jeffrey shared that the experience was especially meaningful:
“It’s an honor to be back in a space that I spent several years as a child, attending for summer camp. Very full circle for a place that gave so much to me, to finally be able to give back to their community.”
Moments like these are what Food for the Soul is all about connecting communities through the power of live music.
https://www.jeffreycruzmusic.com
United Sounds - Saturday 6:30-8PM
Independent Percussion ensemble changing the world one beat at a time. Focusing on Bucket drumming, education, and providing amazing drum experiences by fusing the raw elements of street percussion with multiple Genres of music and entertainment. United Sound strives to bring people together from all walks of life to share one common love: Music!
Nate Yingling Trio - Saturday 9-10:30PM
Nate Yingling Trio is a Cleveland based Jazz Fusion Group exploring the modern piano trio format through the lush textures of synthesizers, greasy grooves and experimental styles of composition. The band blends various modalities of Black American Music such as Jazz, Hiphop, and Funk.
Beyond the music, the Trio’s identity lives in a vibrant, mythical universe created by visual artist Scooped Doodles. A world of magic creatures and surreal landscapes mirrors the bands sonic palette. Nate Yingling Trio invites listeners to step into their unique fusion of groove, improvisation and fantasy.
Nate may be a familiar face running our social media at ROOTS events, but we’re excited to bring his talents as an artist, composer, and performer to the Ingenuity stage. A multi-instrumentalist with a deep love for music, we’re grateful to have his creativity and passion on the ROOTS team and excited to see him take the stage!
https://nateyinglingtrio.com/home
Lea Marra & the River Boys - Saturday 11PM-Midnight
Lea Marra has been writing and performing music since the age of ten. Marra studied music from Seton Hill University and has her BA in Music Therapy. Her writing inspirations derive from nature, life experiences and relationships. Marra's songwriting is influenced by music such as the Cranberries, Sierra Ferrell, Sixpence None The Richer, The Chicks, Dolly Parton, Shania Twain, and The Weepies to just name a few. Marra started Lea Marra & The Dream Catchers in 2019. The band started out as an electric folk/pop/alt country band with a total of seven members. Marra had to rebuild the band in 2021 after her Sophomore album release, due to many of the members departing from LM & TDC. In that time, the Dream Catchers evolved into a string band, which currently includes mandolin, banjo, upright bass, and three part harmonies at times. The Dream Catchers adopted the genre name, “Porch Folk”.
Due to many changes of the line up of the band and the sound of the music, Marra decided to change the name of the band to Lea Marra & The River Boys in 2023. Lea Marra & The River Boys are a bluegrass/folk band inspired by a vast array of genres across the board. Lea brings her strong vocals and heartfelt lyrics to the experience while the River Boys are in the whirlwind of grassy licks. Lea Marra & The River Boys have accomplished a lot in the year of 2024. They released their first album titled Ace Of Cups in March 2024, performed on many notable stages along side regional and local heroes.
You may recognize Forrest on fiddle as one of our ROOTS teaching artists. In the 2025-26 academic year he taught at the Montessori School, sharing his passion for Americana, bluegrass, and Appalachian musical traditions with students through singing, movement, and creative exploration.
Reflecting on his experience, Forrest said:
“Working at the Cleveland Montessori school was a blast. The students were so fun it was a joy to bring music experiences to them. The kids seemed to respond so well to the old time, bluegrass music, dance and acoustic instruments. We typically would learn to sing a new bluegrass or old time song then add traditional dancing to the experience. We also worked on our own dances and songs in the style of Appalachian tradition with consideration for their own preferences and interests.”
See here to read more about his work with the Montessori school.
ROOTS Picking Circle - Sunday 1:30-2:30PM
This very special picking circle will feature a few of ROOTS all stars: Kevin Richards (ROOTS Founder); Charlie Mosbrook (ROOTS Education Program Director); Bob Saada (ROOTS Board Vice President and long time student of Kevin)
Kevin T. Richards is recognized by the Ohio Arts Council as a master artist in the Country blues guitar styles. Kevin is multi-instrumentalist and vocalist specializing in pre-war acoustic blues, ragtime, and traditional jazz. He plays an array of instruments and is recognized for his expertise in playing the guitar, and plays the fiddle, banjo, and mandolin. He has entertained audiences across the United States for over forty years.
Kevin is the founder of the American Roots quintet, “Bent String”, with a focus on early jazz, acoustic blues, roots country and original songs.
Charlie Mosbrook - In the tradition of Woody Guthrie, Charlie uses his music as a vehicle to build a better world through programs like Music to Life, Stop the Hate, monthly performances in the local spinal cord injury unit, and countless charities and events that advocate for human rights and environmental action. Charlie’s music is both informed and inspired by the amazing individuals who give themselves to these causes. He does not see his music as political, but honest. Honest about the events the songs are written about. Honest about the impact these events had on our lives, and honest about the agency and advocacy resulting from these events. Charlie believes if you have an honest song, the truth will shine.
Bob Saada has been a lifelong lover of the guitar, taking his first lessons with Kevin Richards when he was still in grade school. Now a retired Partner of PwC, Bob joined the ROOTS Board and currently serves as Vice President, where he has become an invaluable asset to the organization.
We’re honored to have Bob join Charlie and Kevin on stage for this truly one-of-a-kind picking circle. This is sure to be a special gathering that brings together friendship, music, and a shared love of the guitar.
BADJR - Sunday 4:15-5:45PM
“BADJR (Bad-jur) or (Bad-june-yur) is a Cleveland based group of songwriters with the intention of spotlighting each other’s own unique work. The origin of the name is an acronym for each member of the band: Bethany Joy, Anthony Papaleo, Dan Socha, Josee McGee and Ray Flanagan. As individuals, they have each honed their crafts and together they share the opportunity of both leading and supporting roles in one other’s songs. This makes for an intimate evening of original music showcasing a variety of artistic visions from some of Cleveland/Akron’s most dedicated working musicians.”
Members of BADJR have been meaningful contributors in almost every branch of ROOTS programming over the past decade and are all around phenomenal musicians who we are honored to lift up.
https://www.bethanyjoymusic.net
https://www.instagram.com/dansocha/