Category: Uncategorized

Melissa L. Sanchez

Music Background

• Co-Owner and Producer — Emergence Productions
• Entertainment  Coordinator – Gathering of Nations

Administrative Background

• Production Coordinator – Miss Indian World Pageant
• Artist
• Social Media Community Manager

City of Residence

Acoma & Laguna Pueblos

Commission term

ended May 6, 2012

Bio

Melissa who is from the Pueblos of Acoma and Laguna, is an advocate of cultural empowerment through Native American contemporary and traditional performing arts. As an event producer, her unique industry experience includes; public relations, film and radio, national Native American music/book sales, casino entertainment manager, Americans for Indian Opportunity Ambassador Alumni and Rock Your Mocs event producer. In 2001, she, and musician/children’s book author Emmett “Shkeme” Garcia (Santa Ana Pueblo), established Emergence Productions which specializes in talent buying/booking, event production, artist management, and youth cultural empowerment. An EP objective is to create opportunities for entertainers to connect with diverse audiences, while simultaneously creating positive awareness of modern day Native America. From 2002-2004, as the Entertainment Manager at Sky City Casino Hotel, Melissa Sanchez received national media attention by developing the “Emergence Performance Series,” a year round concert event featuring extraordinary talent of Native America.

Also an artist, Melissa has created a popular line of greeting cards featuring contemporary original Native American Pueblo Pottery Art.  The line includes Christmas, Valentines, All-Occasion, Prints and Gift Items. As a keynote speaker and presenter, Melissa shares life experiences of self empowerment and the importance of a cultural foundation including language, education and community responsibility.  Melissa has traveled to New Zealand, Spain, Singapore, Canada and throughout the United States advocating & producing events.

Claude Stephenson

Education

BUS, University Studies 1985
University of New Mexico

MBA, Business Admin 1987
University of New Mexico

PhD, American Studies 2001
University of New Mexico

Music Background

• Award-winning mandolinist with Big River boys, Sons of Rodan, and Elliott’s Ramblers
• Guitarist and violinist with numerous groups
• Producer KUNM-FM, Only the Radio 1979-1983
• Producer KUNM-FM, Live Variety Show 1989-1991
• Radio DJ, Folk Music USA and Folk Routes 1983-present

Administrative Background

• State Folkorist emeritus, State of New Mexico 1991-2014
• Folk Arts Coordinator, New Mexico Arts 1991-2014
• Director, New Mexico Music Commission 2011-2014

City of Residence

Albuquerque’s South Valley

Commission term

expired May 6, 2016 ~ continues to serve until resignation or termination by the governor

Bio

Stephenson has been a working musician all of his adult life and is an award-winning mandolinist who played with seminal southwest bluegrass groups the Big River Boys, the Sons of Rodan, and Elliott’s Ramblers. In addition to mandolin, he has played and recorded acoustic and electric guitar and violin with more bands than there is room to list here. He produced the live radio programs Only the Radio (1979-1983) and the Live Variety Show (1989-1991) at KUNM-FM in Albuquerque promoting New Mexican musicians and has been a KUNM DJ producing Folk Music USA and Folk Routes since 1983.

Claude was the New Mexico State Folklorist and Folk Arts Coordinator at New Mexico Arts from 1991 to 2014. He obtained his Ph.D. in American Studies at the University of New Mexico in 2001 and wrote his dissertation on the music of Matachines dance groups of New Mexico. He plays violin with the Bernalillo Matachines.

Now semi-retired, when not playing music, Claude and his wife of thirty-eight years, Zoe Economou, manage EcoStep Farm in the South Valley growing and selling unconventionally grown vegetables and eggs at local grower’s markets.

Daniel J. Stoddard

Education

• United States Coast Guard (1976 – 1980)
• International Economic Development Council
• Associates of Arts Degree – Liberal Arts (2003-2006)
• Leadership New Mexico (2008)

Music Background

• Event Chair, Clovis Music Festival

Administrative Background

• Senior Community Services, Inc., Owner and President (2008, 2016)
• New Mexico Veterans Hope Inn, Project for Homeless Vets (2011- present)
• Curry County, Commissioner (2008-2012)
• City of Clovis, Commissioner (2010-2014)
• Eastern New Mexico Area Workforce Development Board (2008 – 2010)
• New Mexico Association of Counties, Board of Directors (2009 – 2012)
• New Mexico Local and State Government Program, Chairman (2012 & 2013)
• Commissioner of Eastern Regional Housing Authority (2014 – present)

City of Residence

Rio Rancho (previous resident of Clovis)

Commission term

expired May 6, 2017 ~ continues to serve until resignation or termination by the governor

Bio

Dan Stoddard has been an active participant in the life of his community, with a particular passion for the diverse music of New Mexico. As the Chair of the Clovis Music Festival from 2004 -2009, Dan brought his extensive business and leadership skills to expand the yearly festival, and was instrumental in making it the premier festival for the matchless Clovis Seventh Street sound. During the course of his leadership, attendance for the three day event grew from 700 per night, to over 2500 a night, with visitors hailing from all parts of the world.

In addition to his various volunteer roles and community service in state and local government and economic development, Dan worked relentlessly as an executive board member of the Clovis Chamber of Commerce’s to preserve and promote the legend of Norman and Vi Petty Studio. Dan has served as the Vice-President of Clovis Chamber of Tourism and Music Festival, Badlands Chair, New Mexico Municipal League Board, and is a Leadership New Mexico Alumni. Dan is honored to serve on the Board of the State of New Mexico Music Commission, continuing his tradition of supporting and promoting the divergent and exceptional musicians and music of New Mexico.