Youth Commission
The Youth Commission is designed as a next step for musicians who have been part of other Young Tradition Vermont programs and show promise as composers, arrangers, teachers and ensemble leaders.
Each year a teen is selected to lead the Youth Commission. This person is charged with creating a small performance ensemble and a program of original compositions and/or arrangements with mentors and master artists of their choosing. The program created is then presented at performances, festivals, and other events.
For more information about the Youth Commission contact ytv@vtfolklife.org.
Young Tradition Vermont (YTV) continued its Youth Commission project for a fourth consecutive year in 2022/2023. This was the first time as part of Vermont Folklife. The Youth Commission is a group of high school-aged musicians who play and sing in traditional styles. The group started rehearsals in the fall, performances started in late December, and will culminate with a tour Memorial Day weekend.
The Commissioned Artist selected for 2022-2023 is Fiona Stowell.
The 2022/2023 leader is Fiona Stowell, a 17 year old fiddler living in Montpelier Vermont. She has played music since the age of 4, and has been performing ever since. She is particularly passionate about Cape Breton, Old Time, and Quebecois fiddle styles, but loves playing a little bit of everything. Fiona is also a singer and Celtic dancer. She has sung all over New England with Village Harmony and Northern Harmony; and has performed on stages from New York City to Quebec.
As the commissioned artist, Fiona has scheduled and organized rehearsals, worked with YTV’s Founder Mark Sustic to manage performance and master class opportunities, and planned the group’s upcoming tour.
The ensemble represents YTV at Vermont Folklife as ambassadors at performances, dances, festivals, and other community events. See below for their upcoming performance dates.
Memorial Day Weekend
Tour Schedule
Thursday, May 25, 6:00 - 8:30 pm: Feast and Field, Barnard, VT
Friday, May 26, 6:00 - 9:00 pm: The Farewell Reunion Concert at the Grace Church, Sheldon, VT ($20 suggested donation at the door)
Saturday, May 27, 2:45- 3:15: Fête de Mai, 2000 chemin Val Estrie, Waterville QC
Sunday, May 28, 3:30 pm: Campfire Festival at Club Passim in Cambridge MA. Festival performances from 2pm-11pm, Youth Commission performance from 3:30-4pm. In person and livestreamed (Tickets)
Members of the 2022/2023 Youth Commission Pictured L-R: Emmett Stowell, Grace Martin, Owen Kennedy, Fern Tamagini-O’Donnell, and commissioned youth artist leader Fiona Stowell.
This year’s Youth Commission members include:
Fiona Stowell (fiddle, vocals, and dancing) from Montpelier, Vermont, as teen leader
Past VTAAP participant Emmett Stowell (piano, banjo and vocals) from Montpelier, Vermont
Touring Group youth artist leader and US National Junior Scottish fiddle champion Owen Kennedy (fiddle and vocals) from Winthrop, Maine
Massachusetts Folklife Center Folk Arts Apprenticeship Program recipient (with Laurel Martin) Fern Tamagini-O’Donnell (fiddle, step dance, and vocals) from Wareham, Massachusetts
Lyndon Institute student and athlete Grace Martin (mandolin, guitar, and vocals) from Lydonville, Vermont
