Ben Freese

Musician

Ben Freese is a professional drummer and percussionist from McFarland, Wisconsin, with over 20 years of experience in the music industry. He studied at UW Oshkosh, Madison Media Institute, and Madison College and is a proud alumnus of the Wisconsin Singers, Fab 50’s Live, Broadway in the Dells Dinner Theater, and Holland America Cruise Lines Musicians (The Hal Cats). Among his achievements, Ben received the Louis Armstrong Jazz Award in 2001. In 2023, he had the honor of performing with a Grammy-winning artist at the St. Regis Resort in Aspen, an experience he describes as the thrill of a lifetime.

First invited to collaborate with Celebrate the Beat (CTB) as a musician in 2012, Ben has become increasingly involved with the program over the years, teaching and performing with CTB extensively in the past year. Being part of such a transformative program brings him immense happiness and pride, as he enjoys seeing students smile, have fun, and develop valuable life skills. Ben is excited and enthusiastic about being a member of the Celebrate the Beat team.

Photography by: Amber Diann Photography