SLYAA 2006-2007
Board of Trustees

Lora Couture, President
Maria Hackett, Vice President
Lynne Fisher Kemp, Treasurer
Susan Leubert, Recording Secretary
Jason Brill
Marie Cogar
Mark Coleman
Carol Hankey
Keith Kogut
LauraJean Swanson
Claire Wagner

Board Members Emeritus
George Cook
David Johnson
Barb Miller

Who We Are

The Saranac Lake Young Arts Association (SLYAA) was organized in 1995 with a mission of encouraging the arts in the lives of Saranac Lake area youth.

That spring, the Saranac Lake High School Concert Choir, under the direction of Helen Demong, was rehearsing Vivaldi's "Gloria." The students had put extra effort and hard work into the piece and they sounded great; but they would certainly benefit from the accompaniment of a professional chamber orchestra. Hence, SLYAA was formed to assist in raising funds from the community to bring the Chamber Orchestra of Northern New York to perform with the choir. What an opportunity this was for the music students…and the concert was spectacular!

The SLYAA Board - a group of 10-20 professionals with an avid interest in the arts - continues to meet regularly during the school year to confirm their mission of supporting and nurturing the arts for Saranac Lake area youth. SLYAA sponsors arts events for the entire community, organizes and promotes concerts and performances, and awards annual scholarship monies to students interested in continuing studies in the arts.

Every year SLYAA holds its major fundraising event - the Fall Phonathon - in late October or early November. SLYAA directs community donations from the annual phonathon to the special arts programs, performances and scholarship assistance planned for the coming year.

SLYAA meetings are held monthly in Saranac Lake. Teachers, artists, students and community groups may contact SLYAA for more information about artistic presentations, concerts, and funding opportunities.