About Us
Music on the Divide is a membership and community-supported organization dedicated to enriching life on the Georgetown Divide in California’s Sierra Foothills through live music and music education. We believe music brings us together, inspires young minds, and strengthens the cultural heart of our community.
We believe music brings people together, inspires young minds, and strengthens the cultural heart of our community.
We bring professional musicians to the Divide for concerts and youth events, creating opportunities for neighbors to gather and experience high-quality live performances close to home. At the same time, we are deeply committed to supporting young musicians by expanding access to music education and opportunities to perform.
Our youth programs include free school concerts, interactive workshops, and scholarships that support lessons, instruments, and high school seniors pursuing a college music education. By nurturing music appreciation, creativity and performance skills, we help inspire the next generation of musicians while keeping the arts vibrant and accessible for everyone.
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Music on the Divide is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit powered by memberships, donations, and grants. We do not receive public funding, and our work is guided by a volunteer Board of Directors who care deeply about music, education, and this community. Board members and community volunteers work together through committees to plan concerts, manage programs, and ensure our mission continues to thrive.
Through live performances, educational outreach, and youth support, Music On The Divide connects people of all ages through the power of music — and helps ensure that music remains a meaningful part of life on the Divide for years to come.
Working Together
Board of Directors
The current 10-member Board meets four times a year. Meetings are led by the President, VP, Secretary, and Treasurer, with active committee chairmen giving reports. The many jobs that drive the work of this organization are divided into committees.
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Learn more about joining the board
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In Memoriam
John Plymyer
Thiaa Besan
Robert "Bob" & Miriam Toren
Ilse and James White
Jack CroghanDean Noren
Board Members
Officers
President | Lynn Schardt
Vice President | Deb Kaplan
Vice President | Carol Beebe
Treasurer | Terra Nair-Neugebaur
Secretary | Leslye Cabodi
Members
Mike Gephart
Carol Gernes
Bruce Hayden
Elizabeth Ketelle
Ken Spencer
Non-Board Committee Members
Annette Gregg—Public Relations
Becky Harrison—Hospitality
Chan Zilla-—Public Relations
David Blonski—Program
David Publicove—Facilities
Gary Cabodi—Hospitality
Jeff Schwegler-—Facilities
Johanna Lee—Finance and Budget
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Jon Durbin—Public Relations
Lisa Bond—Young Musicians
Louise Elliot—Hospitality
Mary Beth Dowd—Young Musicians
Stan Neugebauer-—Facilities
Teddi Jensen—Public Relations
Tim Kendall—Public Relations
Tremaine Parsons—Facilities
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A Brief History
The organizing board of “Music Makers in the Hills” first met on November 20, 1989 under the leadership of Bob Toren. The first concert was held in 1990. By March of that year the group had 141 family members and changed its name to “Music On The Divide.” Bob Toren was President until 1992 and remained on the board until 2000.
Other important people in the history of Music On The Divide include James and Ilse White. Ilse was President for many years and was instrumental in building a strong and loyal following for the organization. She was very professional and insisted on putting on quality classical music programs. The Whites’ untimely deaths in 2006 led to the appointment of Judy Cuesta as President. During her six years at the helm music programs were expanded to include jazz, folk, country, Cajun, Celtic, ragtime, theater organ and pop as well as classical.
The financial support of El Dorado Savings Bank over the years has been critical to the continued delivery of fine music programs.
Trenna Walther, Joanne Nehring,
Alma Pries & Dorothy Chamberlain
September, 1991
Elli Carlsen, Donnetta Barnhart, Alma Pries, Mary Kinch, Dorothy Greenig, Kim Plowman, Bernice Walther
November, 1991
Ozzie & Dorothy Chamberlain
IOOF
Intro text about the hall.
Odd Fellows Hall (IOOF)
6240 Main Street
Georgetown, California
Intersection of Main St. and Georgetown Rd.
Read the article about the IOOF from the Georgetown Gazette here
Odd Fellows Hall (IOOF)
6240 Main Street
Georgetown, California
Intersection of Main St. and Georgetown Rd.