Speakers

Heather Kendrick Stanton is violinist, music educator, and arts administrator who enjoys dark chocolate and sun-kissed afternoons. A Michigan native, she now resides in Carbondale and is Vice President of Education and Community Programs at the Aspen Music Festival and School. Prior to this role, she was a program director at the University of Michigan School of Music, Theatre & Dance and led summer music festivals in the United Kingdom and Czech Republic. Heather graduated from Interlochen Arts Academy and holds a bachelor's of violin performance, music education and organizational studies from the University of Michigan, and a master's degree from Harvard University.
  
You may have caught Heather on Season 11 of “America’s Got Talent” with the Detroit-based electro-pop violin and DJ band, NUCLASSICA. In June 2017, she was awarded the title of Miss Michigan and was thrilled to represent her beloved state at the 97th annual Miss America Competition.

In her free time, she loves exploring the mountains, spending time with friends and family, and volunteering at Crossroads, the Pitkin County Library, and with the Rotary Club of Aspen. 

 

Presentation Focus:

I will present on the Aspen Music Festival and School’s education and community programs, which include school partnerships from Aspen to Glenwood and a new initiative to support rebuilding the music program at Carbondale Middle and Roaring Fork High School.

Founded by the Aspen Community Foundation, West Mountain Regional COAD is an umbrella of regional agencies, organizations, and individuals working together in preparation for and in response to local disaster.

During "blue sky" conditions, we work to prepare for the worst. We recruit and train local volunteers. We coordinate with our regional emergency management teams and our public and private partners to fine-tune optimal preparedness for "gray sky" eventualities. We are the communities we serve and when the time comes, we mobilize with precision and heart.

 

Jill Pidcock is the Executive Director of the Arc of the Central Mountains; The Arc promotes and protects the human rights of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities and actively supports their full inclusion and participation in the community throughout their lifetime. Jill serves as co-chair of the West Mountain Regional COAD and brings the perspective of Access and Functional Needs.