President / Treasurer

Dr. Kyle Saulnier is a musical polymath whose compositions have been described by Downbeat Magazine as “a Great American Songbook of another order.” He leads the Awakening Orchestra, directs the Vermont Jazz Ensemble and the Vermont Youth Orchestra’s Jazz program, and has collaborated with a wide range of artists and ensembles across genres. Kyle teaches at the University of Vermont and Middlebury College, and is active in music education through programs like Music-COMP. He lives in Monkton, Vermont.

Vice President / Secretary

A native of Hardwick VT, Andy Gagnon is a percussionist, composer, and educator.  As a performer, Andy can be heard with The Renegade Groove, Lovecraft, Purple: A Tribute to Prince, The Noah Young Trio, and The Vermont Jazz Ensemble.  He is the founding director of the VMEA District II Jazz Festival, the manager of the Vermont All State Concert Band, a faculty member for the Governor's Institute On The Arts, and the instrumental music director for the public schools of Stowe, VT.

Member-at-Large

Rich Davidian began his early music training in the Detroit area, has played woodwind instruments in all genres of music and shared the stage with an array of jazz artists. He is a charter member and Music Director Emeritus of VT's premier big band, the Vermont Jazz Ensemble, and is still an active member into the ensemble's 50th year. Rich retired from teaching instrumental music [2010] after a 40 year career. He is the administrator and a director in the adult jazz camp, Jazz in the Mountains and lives with his wife Shawn in East Montpelier.

Member-at-Large

Ally Tarwater (she/her) has spent her years of classroom experience and time as a private flute instructor cultivating her enthusiasm for music education. She teaches concert band, jazz ensemble, orchestra, and popular music at Montpelier High School, as well as orchestra at Main Street Middle School.  In addition to teaching, she is an active performer with the Vermont Philharmonic, Montpelier Chamber Orchestra, Vermont Fiddle Orchestra, Vermont Symphonic Winds, Pipe Dreams Flute Ensemble, and her bands Rootbound and Fair Sparrow. As an educator, Ally prioritizes creativity and flexibility, encouraging her students to think beyond the page and to make kind, supportive connections with each other.