Ellen Sager, Director
A graduate of the Crane School of Music, Potsdam NY. As a professional violinist, Ellen has played with the Vermont Symphony, been Concertmistress of the Sage City Symphony, member of the Dorset Trio and a freelance performer. Ellen has been a music educator since 1983 years. She is the conductor of the Honors Strings and Senior Orchestra of the Lakes Region Youth Orchestra and Founder/Director of the Green Mountain Youth Orchestra and the Green Mountain Music Camp. Ellen is fulfilling a long time goal of reestablishing a quality orchestra program in our area.
Richard Sager
Richard is a massage therapist and personal trainer in the tri-state area, and is a Science/Massage Instructor at the Community College of Vermont. As a violinist, Richard has been a member of the Crane School of Music Orchestra, 1980 Winter Olympic Orchestra (Lake Placid) and a member of the Sage City Symphony. Rich has a background in Suzuki Techniques.
Student Faculty 2010
Jay Sager, Scott Interrante, Katie Beck and Katie Traver.
Faculty 2010
Jim Derby — Jim Derby earned his B.S. in Music Education from Ball State University and M.S. in Music Education from the University of Bridgeport. Before he moved to Vermont, Jim was Director of Music at the Valley Forge Military Academy and Junior College, The New Mexico Military Institute, Susquehannock High School and Radnor High School in Pennsylvania. Under his direction the Valley Forge Military Academy and Junior College Band performed for President Reagan on numerous occasions and performed the 1812 Overture with the Philadelphia Orchestra. Jim served as performer and adviser to the making of the Twentieth Century Fox movie TAPS. He has been teaching instrumental music for 36 years and has been Director of Bands at the Mount Anthony Union Middle School for the past twenty years. He serves as treasurer for the Green Mountain Music District V and the Vermont Music Education Association. Jim has been playing tuba with the Sage City Symphony for many years and is presently performing with the Washington County Concert Band.
Wendy Fagerholm — Wendy has her ME from the Crane School of Music, Potsdam NY. She is currently teaching in Bennington. Wendy has accompanied the Bennington Choral Society and the Bennington Children’s Chorus. She also plays organ and French horn, and is a member of Sweet Praises.
Susan Green — Susan has a BME from the University of Vermont. She teaches music at the Shaftsbury Elementary School and has been principal trumpet with the Sage City Symphony; has done six tours of Europe as a Baroque and Jazz trumpet soloist and performs extensively as an electric bassist.
Lee Rutan — Lee received his undergraduate degree from the Crane School of Music, SUNY Potsdam, and his graduate degree from the College of St Rose in Albany. His is currently pastoral musician at St John’s Episcopal Church in North Adams, MA and teaches private piano and voice.
Lynn Sweet — Lynn received her degree in Music Education from Hartwick College in Oneonta NY, majoring in voice and piano. She co-directed Once Upon a Mattress, Oliver, The Music Man, Into the Woods and The Boyfriend at Mount Anthony HS. At the elementary school level she has directed and produced The Castaways, The Wizard of Oz, Annie, Schoolhouse Rock and Honk. Lynn also teaches piano and voice.
Spencer Sweet — Spencer, a Bennington native, has played semi-professionally in our area for many years with his focus now on live sound engineering with a passion for sound and lighting in musical theater. He is a store manager of a local Home Center and DJ’s on weekend. He participated in past years' productions for sound and lighting and looks forward for this year's production