Connecting Communities
Through Creativity
Individual stars shine bright, but when purposefully connected, they form meaning. URSA Asheville connects talented musicians, visionary supporters, and passionate audiences to transform musical innovation into meaningful community experiences.
We honor our region’s rich legacies of experimentation by supporting arts that illuminate the future.
Our Mission
To Uplift, Renew, and Sustain the Arts community in post-Helene Asheville by producing, promoting and presenting music spanning jazz and other genres, and by leveraging professional networks to “align stars” for creative collaborations.
We aim to realize our mission through these two objectives:
URSA Major
To grow, support and sustain a large performance ensemble, the Constellations Orchestra, and to stage events designed to expose Asheville audiences to progressive regional, national and international music; provide performance opportunities for musicians based in the Asheville region; and offer educational and outreach experiences as extensions of musical performances.
URSA Minor
To connect regional musicians and their proposed projects to potential teams of patrons, artists, and industry professionals developed within URSA Asheville’s ecosystem and “aligning stars”, thereby enhancing Asheville’s reputation as a center for musical cross-pollination and an exemplar of community engagement and mutual aid.
Board of Directors
Our Board of Directors brings together passionate advocates for the arts, beloved musicians, experienced nonprofit leaders, and dedicated community members united in advancing URSA’s mission of musical innovation and community connection.
William Bares, President
Distinguished Professor of Humanities and Director of Jazz Studies at University of North Carolina Asheville
Jay Sanders, Vice President
Musician, Composer, Owner of Mindtonic Media, Co-Owner of Slings & Arrows Hospitality Group including Little Jumbo Bar & Music Venue
Marc Josselson, Treasurer
Retired former L3Harris Technologies Corp. Software Engineer and Project Manager
Emily Eng, Secretary
Director of Wind Bands & Lecturer, Department of Music at University of North Carolina Asheville, Music Director of the Blue Ridge Orchestra
Will Boyd, Board Member
Woodwinds Instructor, Department of Music at University of North Carolina Asheville and Warren Wilson College, Recording Artist/Composer
Davidson Jones, Board Member
Retired Organizational Development Practitioner at Davidson Jones & Assoc, Former Partner at Block-Petrella-Weisbord, Founder of Youth at Jazz
Liz Kalooky, Board Member
Director, Advisory Marketing for KPMG LLP, Former Executive Committee & Board Member of Jazz Arts Charlotte
