Board of Directors
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The board of Seven Stars Arts Center would like to acknowledge Peter and Thelma Thompson for their epic contributions to evolving, maintaining and stewarding SSAC. Peter stepped off the SSAC board in January of 2024 but continues to help with database maintenance and publicity. Thelma has stepped of June 1st of this year and will continue to help with constituent communication and as a grant reader.
It is not an overstatement to say that SSAC would not have survived without their involvement. Each of them brought so much to the operation of SSAC.
Thelma, we have benefited from your keen organizational skills as the board secretary, your sensitive and thoughtful approach to all matters and your grant writing skills that kept the doors open.
Peter, your astute eye in looking over our financial reports and of course, mastering our LGL database, enabling us to manage our clientele, send out announcements and assist with our fundraising campaigns has been of enormous value.
While the things mentioned above reflect Peter & Thelma’s hands-on contributions, the core of the Boards appreciation for you both is that we have been fortunate to be in the orbit of your kindness, generosity, sense of humor and palpable humanitarian gestures. We will savor our opportunity to have worked with you and attempt to carry forward the things we have learned from you both.
With Sincere Gratitude,
Michael, Emerson, Margaret, Victoria, Cindy, Bob and Joan
It is not an overstatement to say that SSAC would not have survived without their involvement. Each of them brought so much to the operation of SSAC.
Thelma, we have benefited from your keen organizational skills as the board secretary, your sensitive and thoughtful approach to all matters and your grant writing skills that kept the doors open.
Peter, your astute eye in looking over our financial reports and of course, mastering our LGL database, enabling us to manage our clientele, send out announcements and assist with our fundraising campaigns has been of enormous value.
While the things mentioned above reflect Peter & Thelma’s hands-on contributions, the core of the Boards appreciation for you both is that we have been fortunate to be in the orbit of your kindness, generosity, sense of humor and palpable humanitarian gestures. We will savor our opportunity to have worked with you and attempt to carry forward the things we have learned from you both.
With Sincere Gratitude,
Michael, Emerson, Margaret, Victoria, Cindy, Bob and Joan
Michael Barsanti, President
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Michael Barsanti joined the Seven Stars board in February of 2019 and became President in July of 2020.
“As an artist, teacher and lifelong learner I joined the Seven Stars Arts Center board to help steward and continue the valuable services that Seven Stars brings to east, central Vermont and New Hampshire.” Michael Barsanti is a resident of Sharon VT. He holds an MFA from University of Minnesota, Minneapolis. In addition to being a sculptor, and potter he is Professor of the Practice at the School of The Museum of Fine Arts at Tufts University, Boston, MA. |
Victoria Fullerton, Secretary
Victoria Fullerton joined the Seven Stars Board in the Autumn of 2021, when she moved to Sharon. She knows the area well, having raised her children in the Upper Valley, and she is in love with South Royalton, “So Ro” - which she discovered driving her daughter to The Sharon Academy from Norwich. She has a love of music that started with classical piano training, but now is focused on new interpretations of ancient and folk tunes. She is a serious nature lover, and spends as much time outdoors as possible, and hopes to establish some new outdoor venues for events. She is excited to be part of the creative group at the Seven Stars Arts Center, who are dedicated to strengthening it as a focal point for the communities surrounding this upper region of the White River.
Emerson Gale, Treasurer
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Emerson Gale joined the Seven Stars Board in February of 2019. He teaches joy-based music and outdoor education at his studio in Strafford and around the Upper Valley for ages 6-90. Additionally, he serves as a piano tuner technician for East Central Vermont. He also offers Music Theory & Composition at The Sharon Academy as well as violin/fiddle for Upper Valley Waldorf School students.
Emerson performs regularly for local senior centers and private events including weddings, birthday parties, celebrations of life and community festivals such as Applefest and The Sprouty. To learn more, please visit: www.emersongale.com |
Margaret Gilmore, Board Member
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Margaret Gilmore joined the Seven Stars board in May of 2021. Margaret has lived in Vermont since 2006. Originally from Louisiana, she has lived, studied and played professionally and taught in the Netherlands, Mexico, Louisiana, California, Texas, Colorado, Arizona, Vermont & New Hampshire.
She has performed with over sixteen professional orchestras and at festivals in this country and abroad. She studied as a kid at Juilliard Prep in NYC and holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Music from LSU, a Master’s from Rice University and a D.M.A. from the University of Arizona. She also studied at the Sweelinck Conservatory in Amsterdam and was assistant principal cellist of the Utrecht Sinfonie Orkest, and Het Omroep Orkest (Netherlands Broadcasting System in Hilversum). In Los Angeles she played in recording studios for movies, TV and CD record dates. She has been a member of the Arizona Opera Orchestra since 1985. Margaret is very active in the Upper Valley performing in chamber music concerts with Concert Artists of New England, the Sterling String Quartet and with local choral groups. She has recorded the works for cello by Richard Faith, with the composer at the piano, for the French record label, Musik Fabrik. She has registered Suzuki training through book 6 with the SAA and has also taught traditional method for over 40 years. |
Cindy Wells, Board Member
Cindy Wells joined the Seven Stars Board in July of 2022. Cindy has lived in Enfield, NH for over 20 years. She has been employed with NH state and the federal government. Her interest in Seven Stars is to be involved in a non profit where the reward is not necessarily monetary; but has greater connections to the community at large. She is most interested in the creative process.
Cindy Wells joined the Seven Stars Board in July of 2022. Cindy has lived in Enfield, NH for over 20 years. She has been employed with NH state and the federal government. Her interest in Seven Stars is to be involved in a non profit where the reward is not necessarily monetary; but has greater connections to the community at large. She is most interested in the creative process.
Bob Stoddard, Board Member
Bob Stoddard joined the board in the Spring of 2023.
"I am from a family of amateur musicians. Our house was full of piano music and singing. When I was about twelve I was gifted a guitar and have been playing ever since. As a teenager and young adult, I played in several rock and roll bands in Utah and New York, playing in bars and high schools.
In order to make ends meet, I changed my focus to woodworking where I had a successful and lucrative career for over 40 years. Still and always, I play guitar for my family and myself. My love and enjoyment of music is unwavering.
I feel that if one is able, it is important to give back to one’s community. Before moving to Vermont, I volunteered at my local ambulance corps as a driver, EMT and captain for nineteen years.
My wife and I purchased our old farm in Sharon in 2010 and we moved here permanently five years later. Since then, I have volunteered for the Sharon Food Shelf, South Royalton Senior Center delivering meals, South Royalton Rescue Squad Advisory Board, and now at Seven Stars Arts Center. The role Seven Stars plays in our community is invaluable. We’re so lucky to have it."
"I am from a family of amateur musicians. Our house was full of piano music and singing. When I was about twelve I was gifted a guitar and have been playing ever since. As a teenager and young adult, I played in several rock and roll bands in Utah and New York, playing in bars and high schools.
In order to make ends meet, I changed my focus to woodworking where I had a successful and lucrative career for over 40 years. Still and always, I play guitar for my family and myself. My love and enjoyment of music is unwavering.
I feel that if one is able, it is important to give back to one’s community. Before moving to Vermont, I volunteered at my local ambulance corps as a driver, EMT and captain for nineteen years.
My wife and I purchased our old farm in Sharon in 2010 and we moved here permanently five years later. Since then, I have volunteered for the Sharon Food Shelf, South Royalton Senior Center delivering meals, South Royalton Rescue Squad Advisory Board, and now at Seven Stars Arts Center. The role Seven Stars plays in our community is invaluable. We’re so lucky to have it."
Joan Allen, Board Member
Joan Allen joined the Seven Stars Board in May 2024, with an appreciation for what the arts center adds to the White River Valley's cultural richness, and a desire to help it grow and prosper.
I've worked in the land trust and natural resource conservation field for more than 30 years, specializing in the permanent protection of wildlife habitat and natural communities. For the prior 20 years, I was part of the urban homesteading movement in New York City. I enjoy choral singing, ballet and English country dancing, being a citizen scientist, and plenty of outdoor activities. I live with my husband in Randolph Center.
I've worked in the land trust and natural resource conservation field for more than 30 years, specializing in the permanent protection of wildlife habitat and natural communities. For the prior 20 years, I was part of the urban homesteading movement in New York City. I enjoy choral singing, ballet and English country dancing, being a citizen scientist, and plenty of outdoor activities. I live with my husband in Randolph Center.
