Leavenworth jazz association
The Leavenworth Jazz Association (LJA) is a 501(c)3 non-profit corporation formed for the purpose of advancing artistry and musicianship in North Central Washington. LJA principle project is the Leavenworth Jazz Festival. In addition to brining you the Leavenworth Jazz Festival, LJA intends to promote jazz performances and jazz education through out North Central Washington.
PLEASE JOIN US! We need your help to support our mission and reach our goals. Volunteers are currently needed to help set up concert venues, assist audience members, prepare advertising materials, work with our sponsors, put up posters, help with social media, and on and on. The LJA is an inclusive organization and encourages participation by all. It is our policy to ensure equal opportunity without discrimination or harassment on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, disability, marital status, citizenship, national origin, genetic information, or any other characteristic protected by law.
Our Board of Directors
Seth Garrido - Seth is a singer, multi-instrumentalist, and gifted songwriter. He is versed in all genres of music from country western to be bop, swing to soul. Seth's recent album, Heavy Handed Heart, was released in 2021. He is deeply committed to his community of musicians, friends, and family and is passionate about human connection via songwriting and storytelling.
Sergio Cuevas - Born and raised in Leavenworth, WA, Sergio began studying and performing piano at the age of six. By age thirteen, he began performing at local dances with R&B bands. In high school, Sergio's main focus turned to drum set as he participated in both jazz band and combo jazz bands. He earned his BM in jazz performance from Cornish College of the Arts where he studied under three-time Latin Grammy nominee and Brazilian master pianist, Jovino Santos Neto. Also at Cornish, he studied with the great trombonist, Julian Priester, as well as with Seattle jazz legends Mark Ivester and Chuck Deardorf. Sergio is fiercley committed to enriching his communities with energetic music performances alongside various local talent.
Dr. Jared Hall - Trumpeter, composter, and educator Jared Hall hails from Spokane, Washington. He studied at Whitworth University, the Indiana University Jacobs School of Music, and the University of Miami's Frost School of Music, where he received the degree Doctor of Musical Arts in 2015. Hall is the winner of the 2013 Natioanl Trumpet Competition- Jazz Division and has performed and recoded with many artists such as Paquito D'Rivera, John Daversa, Arturo Sandoval, Maria Schneider, Vincent Herring, Peter Erskine, Dave Liebman, Alan Pasqua, Brian Lunch, and Terence Blanchard. Hall's recording credits include his albums Seen of the Scene (Origin Records, 2021) and Hallways (Hollistic MusicWorks, 2017). Dr. Hall is currently serving as Director of Jazz Studies at Whitworth University.
Rhia Foster - Born and raised in Cashmere, WA, Foster is a vocalist and educator living in the Wenatchee Valley. She graduated from Berklee College of Music in 2014 with degrees in both Vocal Jazz Performance and Music Business. She is the co-chair of the music department at Wenatchee Valley College where she teaches courses in ear training, music history, private voice lessons, and more. She specializes in artist management, events coordination, and jazz ballads.
Michelle R. Draper, ARNP, MBA- Michelle is a nurse practitioner with leadership responsibilities currently working in dermatology at the Everett Clinic. Michelle received her MBA, from Seattle University, an MS in nursing from the University of Knoxville, and a BA in in Studio Art from the University of California, San Diego. Michelle is a frequent lecturer on dermatological matters, and is a current member of numerous clinical committees and boards, including the Everett Clinic Leadership Board, the Compensation and Compensation Review Committee. Michelle’s numerous awards include: Seattle Met Top Doc – Nurse Practitioner, Dermatology 2018-2022, Distinguished Partner – Optum, 2022, Outstanding Contributor Award, The Everett Clinic 2018 and the Providers Choice Award, The Everett Clinic, 2017, 2016, and the People’s Choice Award, The Everett Clinic, 2015.
Paul Milan - Paul is a recently retired corporate attorney. For most of his career he served a Vice President and General Counsel of Northland Communications Corporation, a communications company providing broadband, television, and telecommunications services principally in the South East and Western United States. Paul was lead counsel on M&A, finance, and securities transactions and provided Northland with guidance on various legal matters including employment law, regulatory maters, and consumer issues. Paul is an avid trumpet player and jazz fan.
The LJA is actively looking for Board Members who have a passion for community and the arts, and an interest in non-profit organizational development and fund raising for community betterment.