UpNorth Music is a family collective of musicians in Traverse City, Michigan. We join together in various ensembles to offer the perfect music for you, adding energy and fun to any event. In a number of different configurations, we specialize in tasteful, audience-pleasing shows with offerings in the Folk, Americana, Celtic, Pop/Nostalgia, and Easy Listening genres.
Donna Probes is the founder of the Grand River Folk Arts Society. She has performed on stages across the country in eight ensembles. She plays guitar, mandolin, mountain dulcimer, bouzouki, autoharp, and bodhran. Over the course of her musical career, she has taught music lessons, written and produced radio jingles, produced over 300 shows, and done extensive studio singing. She holds a B.A. in music and an M.B.A. She served as Director of Special Events for Interlochen Center for the Arts and has 40 years experience in arts management and entertainment promotion. Donna is currently a certified SCORE mentor and coaches entrepreneurs who wish to start a new business.
Lawrence “Doc” Probes is a graduate of Interlochen Center for the Arts where he attended both the Camp and Academy. As a bassoonist, he earned his way through medical school playing in symphonies. He plays guitar, mandolin, bouzouki, piano, concertina, and pennywhistle. He has performed in the US and abroad. Having studied concertina in Ireland, he has played in Irish traditional music “sessions” from coast to coast. His repertoire spans almost every genre, including pop, country, international music, classical, jazz, and Celtic, When not playing music, he serves as a Psychiatrist in Traverse City. Doc is also a multi linguist who speaks Russian, Spanish, Frisian, German and Italian. He brings this international flair to his shows with music from around the world.