In this episode of Bend Don’t Break, Aaron Switzer sits down with Peter Franc, executive director of Ballet Bend, to talk about his journey from a young dancer in Atlanta to performing and leading at the highest levels of professional ballet. Peter shares how his early training, international career, and time with Oregon Ballet Theatre shaped both his artistic perspective and his approach to leadership in the arts.

Together, Aaron and Peter explore what it takes to build a cultural organization from the ground up and why Bend is ready for a broader arts scene. They discuss the vision behind Ballet Bend, the balance between classical and contemporary performance, and the role the arts can play in a growing community. It is a thoughtful conversation about creativity, discipline, and the opportunity to shape the future of Central Oregon’s cultural identity.

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In this episode of Bend Don’t Break, Aaron Switzer sits down with Keith Witcosky, City Manager of Redmond, to talk about what it really means to guide a fast growing Central Oregon city through change. From overseeing a 150 million dollar budget and a regional airport to navigating water constraints, housing pressure, and cultural shifts, Keith offers a grounded look at how Redmond has evolved and where it is headed.

Aaron and Keith discuss Redmond’s rapid population growth, the economic impact of the airport, long term water planning in the high desert, and the importance of trust between city staff and elected leaders. It is a thoughtful conversation about growth without losing identity and the steady work of keeping a community resilient.

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In this episode of Bend Don’t Break, Aaron Switzer sits down with Meagan Iverson, Executive Director of the Sunriver Music Festival, to talk about music as a vehicle for community, connection, and care in Central Oregon. Meagan shares her path from growing up in Southern Oregon to leading one of the region’s most enduring cultural institutions, and how her background as a musician and arts administrator shapes her approach to leadership and collaboration.

Meagan and Aaron explore the festival’s year‑round impact, from nurturing young musicians through scholarships, to bringing mindful music moments into local schools, to celebrating American composers during the festival’s 49th season. It’s a thoughtful conversation about why the arts matter, how community organizations thrive through cooperation, and what it means to create shared experiences in Central Oregon.

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In this episode of Bend Don’t Break, Aaron Switzer sits down with David Bermudez, executive director and founder of Bend Science Station, to talk about curiosity, critical thinking, and what it really means to learn science. David shares his journey from teaching at Sunriver Prep to launching a nonprofit that has spent more than two decades expanding access to hands‑on STEM education for students across Central Oregon.

David and Aaron explore how Bend Science Station grew from a borrowed lab space into a Net Zero facility on the OSU‑Cascades campus, serving more than 5,000 students and 200 educators each year. The conversation dives into why science education often falls short in elementary schools, how experiential learning builds lifelong skills, and why being “wrong” is one of the most important parts of the scientific process. Tune in for a thoughtful discussion about education, democracy, and helping kids (and adults) learn how to question, test, and think critically.

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In this episode of Bend Don’t Break, Aaron Switzer sits down with Jason Stein, Executive Director of Opera Bend, to talk about building and sustaining an opera company in Central Oregon. Jason shares his journey from studying acting in New York City and performing on major stages to putting down roots in Bend and helping fill the void left when Obsidian Opera closed. Along the way, he reflects on what drew him to opera, how his voice shaped his career, and why Bend became home.

Jason and Aaron explore the role of opera in a growing community, the balance between local talent and visiting performers, and Opera Bend’s mission to make opera welcoming and accessible. They discuss the “Fear No Opera” philosophy, the realities of producing large-scale performances, and what audiences can expect from upcoming productions—including Die Fledermaus, performed in English with supertitles. It’s a thoughtful conversation about art, risk, legacy, and why live performance still matters in Central Oregon.

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In this episode of Bend Don’t Break, Aaron Switzer sits down with Clayton Franke, reporter for the Lay It Out Foundation and The Source, to talk about local journalism, community accountability, and what it means to report from the inside of a rapidly changing city. Clayton shares his path from growing up in Missoula to studying journalism at the University of Oregon, then building his reporting experience at small newspapers across Oregon and Washington before landing in Bend.

Clayton and Aaron explore the realities of reporting on local government, housing, transportation, and urban planning in Central Oregon. They discuss the responsibility that comes with telling people’s stories, the challenges facing modern journalism, and why local reporting still matters deeply to the health of a community.

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In this episode of Bend Don’t Break, Aaron Switzer sits down with Casey Andrews, Executive Director of Central Oregon Trail Alliance, to talk about stewardship, public lands, and the people who make Central Oregon’s trail system possible. Casey shares her path from working in national parks and forests across the country to leading one of the region’s most impactful outdoor nonprofits.

Casey and Aaron explore the realities of trail maintenance in a high use and fragile environment, the growing role of nonprofit partners as federal staffing declines, and why Central Oregon’s volunteer culture is so unique. The conversation highlights how trails are more than recreation infrastructure. They are economic drivers, community connectors, and shared responsibilities that require long term care and collaboration.

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In this episode of Bend Don’t Break, Aaron Switzer sits down with Selin Sevinç, Managing Director of Programming and Artistic Vision at Bend Film Festival, to explore her journey from Istanbul to Bend and her lifelong devotion to storytelling. Selin shares how she moved through the film world as a critic, screenwriter, and festival juror before finding her home in Central Oregon’s creative community. She reflects on screening nearly a thousand films a year, what makes independent cinema so vital, and why Bend Film remains rooted in collaboration and artistic curiosity.

Together, Aaron and Selin dive into the challenges of running a modern film festival, the new shared‑leadership model shaping Bend Film’s future, and the importance of Basecamp—an immersive retreat where filmmakers refine pitches, build community, and fuel their craft. Selin also opens up about her own creative work, including a new short film she plans to direct in Portland, and how she balances parenting, leadership, and the unpredictable rhythm of creative life.

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