Backstage
Meet our Band Director
SCB
Meet our Board of Directors
President
Susanne “Susie” Kuykendall
Susanne first joined the Skagit Community Band in the 1980s. Susie on French horn and husband John Blau on trumpet considered Tuesday night rehearsals their date night; appropriate as they had met in the BE high school band room in 1964. Over the years, the band provided lifelong friends and musical growth. It also provided solace during times of challenge in her personal life; the band and the music had a way of replenishing and providing what was needed. Early years found Susie, singing with her family on long car trips, harmonizing with sisters and packing the French horn as a constant companion through school years and into college. Modeling a musical life for four sons, and now 18 grandkids over the years has been particularly satisfying. After her retirement from health insurance in 2015, Susie put her love for people and organization to work for the band board. She became the president three years ago. Communication is key to her management style and has made for a rewarding experience. Susie and her husband Phil live on Samish Island where they enjoy boating, crabbing and watching the tide come and go.
Vice President
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Coming Soon
Secretary
Kenton Kuusela
Kenton is a music educator and longstanding member of the Skagit Community Band. He plays regularly with jazz groups in the area.
Tresurer
Kate Erb
Coming Soon
At Large
Sherri Brown
Sherri was raised on Whidbey Island and has spent most of her life there. She lives in Oak Harbor with her husband Rob. She played trumpet in her younger years and took up French horn a few years ago. SCB is her first community band. She joined in 2019 and loves it. She just retired so she is available more and wants to give back to the band. “All the people in the band are so nice and great to work with!”
At Large
Linda Wischmeyer
Linda was born and raised in Michigan and has lived in Wisconsin, Missouri, Nevada and currently resides in Anacortes. Linda has played clarinet in community bands for several years prior to joining SCB. She is pleased to have the opportunity to give back by assisting on the board.
Social Media / Digital PR
Jasmine Clemenson
Jasmine grew up in the Skagit Valley, where her musical journey began. She played flute at LaVenture Middle School and later expanded her repertoire to saxophone and tuba while attending Anacortes High School. After graduating, she moved away to pursue a career in aerospace but returned to her roots in 2012 to study music, joining the Skagit Community Band as a student.
While at Skagit Valley College, Jasmine gained valuable experience managing the local radio station and developing skills in media and advertising. Today, she wears many hats as a radio host at KSVR, a homeschooling mom, and a digital media consultant for local community and swing bands, helping them enhance their online presence.
