Meet our Festival Planning Committee! Each year, a volunteer committee of over 30 individuals works with Festival Managers to produce a welcoming event of traditional dance, music, instruction and entertainment for all ages.
Some positions involve organizing and supervising a volunteer crew before or during the festival, and others involve solo work to be completed before and/or during the festival weekend. The committee meets monthly from September to April (sometimes hybrid, sometimes only on zoom), and Planning Committee members receive free admission with guest to the festival, a festival t-shirt, and shared lodging on site.
2026 Committee Position Available: Sponsorships
There are community businesses and organizations that would benefit by partnering with Flurry, and your job is to seek them out and make that case! We will provide a flyer outlining sponsorship levels and perks, which include acknowledgment and publicity through various media. Sponsor solicitation can be done remotely.
Attributes desired:
- Strong written and verbal communication skills, personable and enjoys community outreach
- Knowledge of techniques for sponsor development and connections within relevant communities
- Comfort reaching out through phone, email, or direct contact, and willingness to follow through and cultivate relationships with potential sponsors
- Fundraising, development, or marketing experience is a plus
To learn more or to express interest in this position, please contact Shira Love, Administrative Manager at admin@flurryfestival.org.
The 2026 Festival Planning Committee
Festival Staff:
Jonathan Greene, Program Curator
(on committee since 2018)
I hire presenters, put together the festival schedule as well as co-coordinate housing for all out-of-town performers and sound personnel.
programcurator@flurryfestival.org
Kathleen Crayne, Marketing Manager
(on committee since 2023)
My mission is to promote this beloved and longstanding festival by welcoming back annual attendees and introducing our diverse programming to new dancers and friends. I manage our social media campaigns, oversee artwork and graphic design, and oversee photography and content creation.
marketing@flurryfestival.org
Adam Goodman, Technical Manager
(on committee since 2010)
I hire sound pros and coordinate with the Program Curator to secure the needed venues. I coordinate and help with setup and flooring, and help troubleshoot issues during the festival.
tech@flurryfestival.org
Noel Kropf, Acting Finance Manager
(on committee since 2021)
I lead the Finance Team AKA Cash Crew which handles seed cash, income and payments during the Festival, and bank deposits, accounting reconciliation, refunds and reimbursements afterwards. I help program the Zettle system for accepting credit cards and digital payments. I help develop the Festival budget.
finance@flurryfestival.org
Shira Love, Administrative Manager
(on committee since 2021)
I manage the administrative aspects of running the festival, including budgeting, coordination with venues, food vendors, sponsors, insurance, volunteer publicity efforts, and staff housing. I oversee the Planning Committee and coordinate meetings and communications among the managers and committee members. I also maintain the festival website and send informational emails to our mailing list.
admin@flurryfestival.org
Sue Mead, Administrative Assistant, Festival Information
(on committee since 2000)
As Festival Information, I answer phone/email questions throughout the year, from attendees and general public regarding a variety of things related to attending the Flurry. Aid committee staff and Managers where needed (help with database, schedule, performer applications, website, etc), and work closely with the Program Curator.
info@flurryfestival.org
Volunteer Planning Committee Members:
Advance Tickets
Jared Whalen, Advance Tickets
(on committee since 2019)
I coordinate and process advance ticket sales and wristband pickup at the festival, and am an all around transaction problem solver and festival greeter.
advancetickets@flurryfestival.org
Database Maintenance
Jim Mead, Online Database Manager
(on committee since early 2000s)
I designed, programmed, and maintain the Flurry database and its related web site.
Festival & Performer Sales
Mo Hart, Festival Sales Co-Chair
(on committee since 2015)
I manage the volunteers running the Festival Sales booth including programming the cash registers, training the clerks and sales assistants prior to festival, overseeing operations of the booth during the festival and addressing any problems that arise.
Janet Palmer, Festival Sales Support
(on committee since 1997)
Leslie Dykeman, Performer Merchandise
(rejoined committee in 2025)
I manage inventory and sales of Flurry merchandise, and liaise with performers around check-in, management, and check-out for performer merchandise.
Nancy Jenks, Sales Table Set-Up/Tear-Down
(on committee since 2017)
I set up the sales table, inventory Flurry merchandise for sale, and display all merchandise for sale. I put it away at night, bring it out in the morning, and inventory and pack it up for storage at the end.
Alice Smolinsky, Festival Sales Scheduler
(on committee since 2013)
I’m the point of contact for the volunteers and create the volunteer schedule.
Flooring
Sara Guan, Crew Chief
(on committee since 2025)
Info Table & Snowflakes
Ceci Hayes, Info Table/Volunteer Check-In and Snowflake Scheduler
(on committee since 2016)
I organize the Info Table binders (Info, Volunteer Schedules, Snowflake Schedule), and update the list of “Where to eat within 5 block walk of the Flurry.”
Instrument Check
Emily O’Donnell, Crew Chief
(on committee since 2017)
Instrument Check is a coat check for instruments! Both Flurry performers and Flurry attendees alike can safely stash their instruments with us, so they can go forth to dance and enjoy the Flurry without worrying about their sweet baby instrument/s.
InstrumentCheck@flurryfestival.org
On-Site Tickets
Rich Futyma, On-Site Ticket Sales Co-Chair
(on committee since around 1990)
Before the festival, I estimate the number of the wristband tickets needed and the colors to be used for the various sessions, and place an order for them. Along with my co-chair, Julia Pitkin-Shantz, I recruit volunteers for the on-site sales team, and create a schedule for them. We also share responsibility for instructing and supervising the team during the festival.
onsitetickets@flurryfestival.org
Julia Pitkin-Shantz, On-Site Ticket Sales Co-Chair
Performer/Volunteer Check-In
Christine Texiera, Crew Chief
(On committee since 2021)
I run lead for the performer, volunteer, and comp ticket check-in table.
Performer Hospitality
Annie Haller, Lodging Assignment Coordinator
(on committee since early 2000s)
I arrange for the housing of traveling performers and sound professionals in lodging donated by the industry and in the homes of local residents; coordinate with Discover Saratoga in soliciting lodging donations annually; arrange for our lodging partners to have their hotel information posted on the Flurry website; and communicate with lodging sponsors/hosts and performers/sound pros regarding the lodging arrangements pertaining to them.
Maddy Blaha, Homestay Coordinator
(on committee since 2024)
I solicit local hosts for performer homestays, coordinate housing with the Lodging Assignment Coordinator and Program Curator, and facilitate communication between hosts and guests.
homestays@flurryfestival.org
Program Ads
Deb Meehan, Ads Administrative Co-Chair
(on committee since 2018)
I maintain documentation for and manage content submissions from advertisers and sponsors, invoice and track ad payments, update solicitation materials, and train and support the Ads Solicitation Co-Chair.
ads@flurryfestival.org
Imzak Mohamed, Ads Solicitation Co-Chair
(on committee since 2024)
I solicit and coordinate with businesses, nonprofits, and performers who want to purchase sponsorships or ad space in the program book.
programads@flurryfestival.org
Quilts
Laura Perrault, Festival Quilts
(co-quilting by Karyn Dornemann)
Runners
Chris Parker, Crew Chief
Setup/Cleanup
Hartmuth Sommer, SetUp/CleanUp Chair
(on committee since 2024)
setup@flurryfestival.org
Craig Palmer, SetUp/CleanUp Emeritus
(decades on the committee)
Signs
Shanya Hill, Crew Chief
(on committee since 2016)
The sign committee ensures that there is plenty of signage to help you navigate our Flurry Festival from your arrival on Friday through your departure on Sunday.
Site Services
Alice Smolinsky, Site Services Scheduler
I update materials annually, manage volunteers and create their schedule, and coordinate any other pre-festival needs.
Rosalie Banner, On-Site Manager
(on committee since 2024)
Teen Crew
Shoshana Silverman, Teen Crew Chief
(on committee since 2024)
I organize the teen volunteers and help facilitate teen programming.
teens@flurryfestival.org
Vendors
Sue Lecuyer, Craft Vendor Coordinator
(on committee since 2023)
I will be inviting and organizing craft vendors who will appeal to the Flurry community.
vendor@flurryfestival.org
Volunteers/Lost & Found
Harvey Raufman, Volunteer Coordinator, Lost & Found Crew Chief
(DFO/Festival organizer from the start)
I oversee the volunteer structure and coordinate volunteer assignments with crew chiefs. I also run the Lost & Found crew.
volunteer@flurryfestival.org
lostFound@flurryfestival.org
Workshop Rooms
Jason Grodsky, Co-Chair
Cindy Grodsky, Co-Chair
Youth Development
Beverly Lazar-Davis, Youth Outreach
Festival Support:
Paul Rosenberg, Founder
Peter Davis, Past Curator
Josh Snitkoff, Past Technical Manager
Ian Hamelin, Past Technical/Administrative Manager
