Board of Directors
BOARD OFFICERS
Jack Van Leer, President
Open, Treasurer
Open, Secretary
DIRECTORS-AT-LARGE
Ken Abrams
Paul Murray
Mark Stickney
Tom Wright
Jack Van Leer, President
Open, Treasurer
Open, Secretary
DIRECTORS-AT-LARGE
Ken Abrams
Paul Murray
Mark Stickney
Tom Wright
Staff
Dick Lynn, Artistic Director
Dick Lynn started his career in music as a student at Iowa State by establishing a club that featured folk, jazz and world music artists His next stop took him to Chicago, where he produced concerts at Stages Music Hall, such as the Chicago premier of The World Saxophone Quartet, He then moved East to The Creative Music Studio in Woodstock, New York, a school and performance center founded by jazz and world music figures Ornette Coleman, Don Cherry, and John Cage among others.
Now an interdisciplinary artist with an MFA from Massachusetts College of Art and Design, Lynn creates large-scale, interactive interdisciplinary art Installations conveying social and environmental messages. One of his most recent works, Frackhouse, a multi-media piece, will be on display at WaterFire in Providence and the Aquidneck Island Land Trust's Art in Nature speaker series.
Dick Lynn started his career in music as a student at Iowa State by establishing a club that featured folk, jazz and world music artists His next stop took him to Chicago, where he produced concerts at Stages Music Hall, such as the Chicago premier of The World Saxophone Quartet, He then moved East to The Creative Music Studio in Woodstock, New York, a school and performance center founded by jazz and world music figures Ornette Coleman, Don Cherry, and John Cage among others.
Now an interdisciplinary artist with an MFA from Massachusetts College of Art and Design, Lynn creates large-scale, interactive interdisciplinary art Installations conveying social and environmental messages. One of his most recent works, Frackhouse, a multi-media piece, will be on display at WaterFire in Providence and the Aquidneck Island Land Trust's Art in Nature speaker series.
Tom Perrotti, Director of Education
Before joining Common Fence Music, Tom taught literature, creative writing and theater arts at Portsmouth High School and was the treasurer of the Rhode Island State Theater Education Association. After the first Common Fence Music live performance was held, he signed on as tech director for the series. He later served as CFM's Musical Director for 15 years. Today, as CFM's Director of Education, Tom focuses on the organization's Connecting the Beats program, bringing African-inspired drumming and dance to the youth of Newport County. He also plays guitar and mandolin in bands around Rhode Island, including The Slackwater String Band and The Golden Bantam String Band.
Ed Nary, Artistic Director Emeritus
Founding CFM in 1993 with the desire to provide the Portsmouth community with access to quality folk music performances year-round, Ed was vital in cultivating CFM’s early impact. He brings a diverse and iconic professional experience of Rhode Island and the region. Though Ed’s time serving in the US Navy as an interior communications electrician took him to VA and beyond, he has deep ties to Common Fence Point, serving as President of the CFP Improvement Association for nearly a decade in the 1990s while owning and operating Nary Pallet Co. He brings an unbridled passion for music, crossing genres and animated in live music settings. Rejoining the CFM team of listening friends, dedicated volunteers, and gifted musicians in 2020, Ed is excited to have a hand in offering the community great roots music as the organization reaches into 27 years of existence.
Before joining Common Fence Music, Tom taught literature, creative writing and theater arts at Portsmouth High School and was the treasurer of the Rhode Island State Theater Education Association. After the first Common Fence Music live performance was held, he signed on as tech director for the series. He later served as CFM's Musical Director for 15 years. Today, as CFM's Director of Education, Tom focuses on the organization's Connecting the Beats program, bringing African-inspired drumming and dance to the youth of Newport County. He also plays guitar and mandolin in bands around Rhode Island, including The Slackwater String Band and The Golden Bantam String Band.
Ed Nary, Artistic Director Emeritus
Founding CFM in 1993 with the desire to provide the Portsmouth community with access to quality folk music performances year-round, Ed was vital in cultivating CFM’s early impact. He brings a diverse and iconic professional experience of Rhode Island and the region. Though Ed’s time serving in the US Navy as an interior communications electrician took him to VA and beyond, he has deep ties to Common Fence Point, serving as President of the CFP Improvement Association for nearly a decade in the 1990s while owning and operating Nary Pallet Co. He brings an unbridled passion for music, crossing genres and animated in live music settings. Rejoining the CFM team of listening friends, dedicated volunteers, and gifted musicians in 2020, Ed is excited to have a hand in offering the community great roots music as the organization reaches into 27 years of existence.
