The 2007 Citizen of the Quarter for January/March is a performing musician who has given of her time and talent for the past twenty-six years. We are pleased to present this award to Carol McConnell of Rapid City.

Carol is a performing bluegrass and acoustic musician. She is also accomplished on the autoharp, string bass and guitar. Carol has been a member of the Rapid City Arts Council for the past twenty years and is a founding member of the Bluegrass Festival. For the past twenty-six years she has volunteered countless hours to the annual festival. She continually organizes, works at and raises money for this three day festival that thousands of people have enjoyed. Carol has worked to increase the number of acoustic and Bluegrass events in the Black Hills and through her efforts, the development of the March Unplugged Music Performance Sunday event (also known as MUMPS) is in its fourth successful year.

Carol has hosted a weekly Wednesday Jam at her home for her friends for the past fifteen years. She has always been willing to volunteer her musical talents for various fund-raising concerts and continues to develop new events and activities for the acoustic music community.

Carol has positively impacted the arts community through her dedication to music and for her efforts we congratulate her for this well deserved recognition.