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Jackie Weiss is a musician, educator, community leader, and advocate for public education with a career rooted in expanding access, fostering creativity, and building strong, student-centered programs. Jackie earned both a Bachelor of Arts with Distinction in Music and a Master of Arts in Teaching from The Colorado College, where Jackie was recognized for academic excellence and leadership in the arts while competing as a goalkeeper on the DI women’s soccer team. Over the past twelve years, Jackie has taught music across K–12 settings in Colorado and internationally, developing inclusive, standards-aligned programs and leading award-winning ensembles. Jackie has founded and grown student groups, including mariachi bands, a cappella ensembles, and pep bands, while mentoring students in both musical, academic, and personal growth. Her work has consistently focused on creating engaging environments where students feel supported, challenged, and inspired to succeed.

In addition to Jackie’s work in the classroom, she serves as Treasurer and Director for District A on the St. Vrain Valley Board of Education, where Jackie helps guide strategic priorities, oversees policy and financial stewardship, and advocates for public education at the local and state levels. She performs in the Longmont Concert Band as a baritone saxophone player. In addition to caring for her daughter, Maisie, Jackie works as a Social Media Coordinator, supporting small-business growth through data-informed content strategy. Across all roles, Jackie brings a collaborative leadership style, a commitment to equity, and a belief in the transformative power of education to strengthen individuals and communities. Jackie is thrilled to have the opportunity to serve on the LASJB board to assist in any and all ways and to continue advocating for access to and excellence in music education.

Ray Harrison is a cum laude graduate of Chapman University, Orange, California. Before moving to Colorado in 1982 to teach, he was a professional singer and member of the William Hall Chorale and the Los Angeles Master Chorale.

He taught at Boulder High School, Longmont High School, and Niwot High School where he was twice named Educator of the Year. Ray served as the Fine Arts Coordinator for the St. Vrain Valley School District. In 1996 he was chairman of the Music Standards Task Force for the Colorado Department of Education and was responsible for writing the Model Content Standards for Music Education.

Professional orchestral highlights in California include: Sacre du Printemps by Stravinsky piano duo in 1979 and Concerto #3 by Prokofiev with Los Angeles pianist Grant Gershon. A staged version of l’Histoire du Soldat by Stravinsky with the Young Artist Ensemble in 1981.

Ray prepared choruses for the Aspen Music Festival and he has twice conducted in the Messiah Sing-In at Boettcher Concert Hall in Denver. Ray has a decades-long association with the Longmont Chorale as their former Music Director.

Ray has played with the Flatirons Jazz Orchestra and Swing Shift Band as a pianist from 2018-2023. He currently enjoys playing trumpet with the Longmont Concert Band, and the Pikes Peak Stompers.

Doug Carmichael is a respected musician and dedicated music teacher based in Colorado, known for his captivating performances and inspiring teaching style. As a saxophonist with a passion for jazz, Doug has been an integral part of the Colorado music scene, performing with a variety of ensembles and connecting with audiences across the region. His playing style, rooted in jazz and infused with blues and modern influences, reflects his love for improvisation and his deep connection to the music.

Beyond performing, Doug is committed to sharing his knowledge with the next generation of musicians. As a teacher, he fosters creativity, discipline, and an appreciation for music in his students, whether they are aspiring professionals or simply exploring music for the joy of it. Doug’s approach combines technical instruction with an emphasis on expression, encouraging each student to find their unique musical voice.

Doug Carmichael’s contributions as a performer and educator have made him a valued member of Colorado’s musical community. There, he continues to inspire through his art and mentorship.

Todd is a bassist based in Colorado’s Front Range, known for his quiet versatility, deep musical intuition, and the rare ability to elevate any ensemble without ever asking for the spotlight. Whether anchoring the elastic groove of Groove Holiday or weaving through classic standards with The Atom Collective, Todd approaches every note with clarity, intention, and an ear tuned for the bigger picture.

Originally from the Seattle area and now based near Boulder, Colorado, Todd brings together the introspective depth of the Pacific Northwest with the wide-open creativity of Colorado’s vibrant music scene. His musical path? A slow, deliberate descent into enlightenment.

It began at the piano, sometime before kindergarten—an early initiation into the architecture of music. From there, Todd moved through an ever-deepening range of instruments: clarinet, alto sax, baritone sax, euphonium, bass trombone, tuba. The pattern was clear: always going lower, always moving toward the foundation. By the time he picked up the bass in college, it wasn’t just another instrument—it was home.

Over the years, Todd has performed with a wide range of bands and artists, building a deep catalog of live and studio experience across genres. He’s shared stages with the Ian McFeron Band, MMB3, Flatirons Jazz Orchestra, California Highway Patrol, MVM, Ultraviolet Uforia, Deborah Stafford, Switzerland Trail, and The Shotguns, among others. Whether in structured arrangements or free-flowing improvisation, Todd brings a steady hand and deep musical empathy to every project.

Outside of performance, Todd has contributed to the bass community as a writer for Bass Guitar Magazine and as the founder of Basstasters, a pioneering platform for bass gear reviews that helped countless players find their sound.

When it comes to tone, Todd relies on a thoughtfully chosen rig that supports his wide-ranging work. He plays Sadowsky and Fodera electric basses, and a Upton upright strung with LaBella strings. For amplification, he uses Noble and Aguilar preamps paired with Euphonic Audio cabinets—gear selected not for flash, but for feel, clarity, and reliability.

Equally at home on stage or in the studio, Todd brings the same thoughtful energy and feel to every musical situation. His playing is grounded in groove, tone, and trust—never flashy, always felt.

Today, he splits his time between:
Groove Holiday – a soul groove instrumental funk band built on live improvisation, deep pocket, and musical chemistry.
The Atom Collective – a traditional jazz combo with a rotating cast, focused on honoring and reinterpreting jazz from the late ’50s through the ’80s.

W. “Vito” Montone is a new board member of the Colorado Theatre Guild and an award-winning digital transformation executive focused on productization, market growth, and AI-enabled scale. He joined the Longmont Theatre Company’s Executive Committee for Advancement in 2025.

He helped transform a small, unpaid theatre company into a performing arts center—growing from a 60-seat black-box storefront into the purchase and renovation of an old movie theatre into a 250-seat proscenium, 90-seat black box, gallery lobby, offices, and retail food space. He writes for screen, television, and stage. He has produced more than 25 plays, including the world premieres of To Oz and Back and Translated Insight, as well as Entertainment Atlanta, a television show for the Atlanta CBS affiliate supporting the local performing arts community.

Vito is a member of the Producers Guild of America, a board member of the Colorado Theatre Guild, and an arts advocate.

Maggie Watson is a writer and honors student in Boulder, Colorado. She is pursuing a B.A. in English & Anthropology from the University of Colorado at Boulder, where she is currently interning with the University’s French & Italian departments in the library’s rare & distinctive collections archives.

Upon her anticipated graduation in the spring of 2026, Maggie is determined to further her academic journey by pursuing a Ph.D. in a related field while aiming to become a university professor and continuing her creative writing pursuits.

In her leisure time, she finds joy in playing jazz music at local venues, cooking elaborate meals, & exploring the scenic beauty of Colorado through hiking & skiing.