My 23-year run at VTSU/NVU/JSC has come to an end with this weekend’s final performance of the Funk Fusion Ensemble, as the performing arts have sunset at the Johnson campus. Many thanks to the incredible students, faculty, and staff that I crossed paths with along the way. A special shout out to Steve Blair for giving me the opportunity way back in 2002. It was a fun ride. On to new things.. aaaannd scene~
Johnson VT
It’s that time and the last time I’ll be directing the Vermont State University Johnson Funk Fusion Ensemble – Friday 12/5/25 at 7pm, Dibden Center for the Arts, Vermont State University Johnson. Open to all. Info at www.vermontstate.edu .. this is a Creative Audience event for VTSU students. Here’s our set:
Sledgehammer (Peter Gabriel)
Hard Times (Paramore)
Die With A Smile (Lady Gaga & Bruno Mars)
Believe (The Bravery)
Barracuda (Heart)
with: Wilbur Hayes (vocals, keyboards, bass), Jared Bryce (guitar, bass), Abi Cote (trumpet, vocals), Sparrow MacDonald (vocals, drums, guitar, alto sax), Jill Pressman (vocals, keyboards, percussion), Brian Bray (drums, bass) ..
Johnson VT
Funk Fusion Program (Spring 2025)
Once again.. I’ll be directing the Vermont State University Johnson Funk Fusion Ensemble on Friday 5/2/25 at 7pm .. Dibden Center for the Arts, Vermont State University Johnson. Open to all. Info at www.vermontstate.edu .. this is a Creative Audience event for VTSU students. Here’s our set:
Sympathy for the Devil (Jagger-Richards)
Bennie And The Jets (Elton John-Bernie Taupin)
Please Forgive Me (MAN WITH A MISSION)
Back On 74 (Jungle)
The Show Must Go On (Queen)
Paint The Town Blue (Ashnikko, Arcane & League of Legends Music)
with: Elliot Urbina (drums, bass, trumpet), Wilbur Hayes (vocals, keyboards, bass, percussion), Taylor Michaud (keyboards, flute, vocals), Jared Bryce (guitar, bass), Abi Cote (trumpet), Heike Chaney (vocals, Maschine), James Kalbfleisch (Maschine, vocals, percussion, guitar), Sparrow MacDonald (vocals, drums, percussion, guitar), Sergey Vakhrouchev (tenor sax), Zib Miller (drums, percussion, vocals), Jill Pressman (vocals, percussion), Amelia Burger (vocals, percussion) ..
~ we look good .. but there is no sound ~
Fall 2025 at Vermont State University :
I’m excited to be teaching (first time!) in the Music Business & Industry (MBI) Dept. on the Lyndon campus for the following courses:
Special Performance (MUS-1730-S01): Thursdays 3:30-6:15pm from 8/25 – 12/19/25 (1-3 credits);
Applied Lessons: Guitar (MBI-2125-S04): Thursdays (TBD) from 8/25 – 12/19/25 (1 credit);
.. and on the Johnson campus for:
Funk Fusion Ensemble (PAT Music Ensembles – MUS-2220-S02): Fridays 3:00-4:50pm from 8/25 – 12/19/25 (0-1 credits);
Guitar, Bass, and Songwriting Lessons (by appointment; credit and non-credit options available);
info / registration at www.vermontstate.edu ..
Johnson VT
Funk Fusion Program (Fall 2024)
It’s that time! I’ll be directing the Vermont State University Johnson Funk Fusion Ensemble on Friday 12/6/24 at 7pm .. Dibden Center for the Arts, Vermont State University Johnson. Open to all. Info at www.vermontstate.edu .. this is a Creative Audience event for VTSU students. Here’s our set:
Evil in your Eye (Church of the Cosmic Skull)
Pour Some Sugar on Me (Def Leppard)
Them Changes (Thundercat)
Got Me All Wrong (Mayday Parade)
Good Luck, Babe! (Chappell Roan)
with: Elliot Urbina (drums, bass), Wilbur Hayes (vocals, keyboards, bass), Taylor Michaud (keyboards, vocals, percussion), Abi Cote (trumpet), Heike Chaney (vocals), James Kalbfleisch (Maschine, vocals, bass), Sparrow MacDonald (vocals, drums, guitar), Sergey Vakhrouchev (tenor sax), Dayne Bell (violin, vocals), Jill Pressman (vocals, keyboards), Amelia Burger (vocals, percussion, keyboards) ..
.. in moving pictures ~
Johnson VT
Excited to be directing the Vermont State University Johnson Funk Fusion Ensemble on Friday 5/10/24 at 7pm .. Dibden Center for the Arts, Vermont State University Johnson. Open to all. Info at www.vermontstate.edu .. this is a Creative Audience event for VTSU students. Here’s our set:
Bang Bang (Sonny Bono)
Creep (Radiohead)
House of the Rising Sun (Traditional)
Mosquito Symphony #7 (Wilbur Hayes et al.)
Can’t Get You Out of My Head (Cathy Dennis & Rob Davis)
Sledgehammer (Peter Gabriel)
with: Elliot Urbina (drums, bass), Wilbur Hayes (vocals, keyboards, percussion, bass), Taylor Michaud (flute, keyboards, vocals), Abi Cote (trumpet), Heike Chaney (vocals, keyboards), James Kalbfleisch (vocals, drums, guitar, percussion), Sparrow MacDonald (vocals, alto sax, drums), Sergey Vakhrouchev (tenor sax), Zib Miller (vocals, percussion) ..
livestreamed..
Johnson VT
Excited to be directing the Vermont State University Johnson Funk Fusion Ensemble on Friday 12/8/23 at 7pm .. Dibden Center for the Arts, Vermont State University Johnson. Open to all. Info at www.vermontstate.edu .. this is a Creative Audience event for VTSU students. Here’s our set:
The Mist on the Mountain (Traditional)
Cosmic Love (Florence + the Machine)
Fame (David Bowie, Carlos Alomar, John Lennon)
The Chain (Fleetwood Mac)
Nights on Broadway (Barry Gibb, Robin Gibb, Maurice Gibb)
Riots (Stuck in the Sound)
with: Elliot Urbina (bass, drums), Wilbur Hayes (vocals, keyboards, percussion, bass), Taylor Michaud (vocals, flute, drums, keyboards), Arlie White (violin, vocals), Heike Chaney (vocals), James Kalbfleisch (vocals, drums, bass, percussion), Sparrow MacDonald (vocals, drums), Sergey Vakhrouchev (tenor sax) ..
** video kicks in at ~ 2 minutes ..
