The lovely and wonderfully enthusiastic Melissa Quayle (formerly of Neumo’s and Jasiri) has been hired as the new Program Director at the Vera Project! She’ll start February 1st.

Vera’s official release is posted below.

Congratulations, Melissa!

****

The Vera Project is pleased to bring Melissa Quayle on as Program Director of the Vera Project effective February 1st. The Vera Project is a music-arts center established in 2001 and run by and for youth. By engaging participants at all levels of music production and community organizing, Vera strives to fulfill its mission to fuel personal and community transformation through the vehicle of popular music shows produced in partnership with young people in Seattle.

Along with years of experience in the music industry ranging from being an on-air radio DJ to a stage manager at Bumbershoot, Melissa Quayle brings an invaluable connection and commitment to Vera's Youth membership and the passion and energy to move Vera into the future. Since 2001, Quayle has moved through the ranks of volunteer, member, show staff, and now, after an intensive hiring process, is positioned to be Vera's next programming leader.

In September, Founding Program Director Shannon Stewart gave notice of her early spring departure to embark on a national youth music venue project, leaving months of transition time for Vera's torch to pass out of the hands of its founders and on to the community that has fostered it‚s growth and success. Quayle and Stewart will work closely together for 2 months before Stewart leaves on February 28, 2006.

Outside of Vera, Melissa Quayle has spent time as Production Manager of Neumos, Marketing and Office Manager at Jasiri, and has worn almost every hat in the realm of event planning, promotion and management in venues ranging from small clubs to large festivals. She brings 3 years of youth work experience as she has made the transition from being a young person volunteering with Vera to readily assuming the role of mentor, educator, and supervisor.

Moving into 2006, the Vera Project is in a phase of exceptional transition as it tackles the challenges of new leadership, building a new home, and evaluating the first five years of existence while planning the next five. Luckily this young organization has a history of flexibility and inventiveness, and is well-armed with a hard-working Board of Director‚s, an army of volunteers, fianancial stability, and more support from the Seattle Music Community than ever before. Since 2004, Vera's staff has grown to include Operations Manager Vanessa Gibbons, Fund Development Manager Nick Turner, and more recently Executive Director Shannon Roach to replace founder James Keblas. The addition of Melissa Quayle to this team adds significant strength, fresh energy, and is steadfast to Vera's mission of being run by and for young people in Seattle.