Meet Our Team
Meet Our Team
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Dakota Karper - Executive Director
Dakota Karper, hailing from rural West Virginia, grew up immersed in the rich traditions of Appalachian Old-time music. From an early age, she embraced folk music as she learned to play the fiddle. Her music reflects a profound connection to her roots, blending haunting melodies, energetic bow strokes, and rhythmic grooves. Over the years, Dakota has played with bands, including the Short Mountain String Band, Hay Fever, Hemlock and Hickory, and Vandalia.
In 2019, Dakota founded 'The Cat and The Fiddle,' a traditional roots music school. In 2023, Dakota was a founding member and then appointed executive director of the non-profit 'Cacapon Music & Dance Foundation,' furthering her commitment to preserving and promoting Appalachian music and culture.
Booth Dyess - Board President
Booth is a lifelong student of peace educator Prem Rawat and has volunteered for over 50 years in support of his work. He and his wife, Ibi Hinrichs, found a weekend home in Hampshire County in 2006 and retired here in 2016. They are both enthusiastic supporters of the arts and music programs of such community organizations as The River House, Hampshire County Arts Council, and now Cacapon Music and Dance Foundation.
Steve Bailes - Member at Large
Steve Bailes was born in Clarksburg, WV but most of his public schooling was completed in Arlington, VA. He completed an M.A. At West Virginia University. His a retired Hampshire County teacher where he often taught guitar lessons. He is pleased to know Capon Bridge Middle School has resurrected the Chocolate House which he and Charlie Streisel started. Steve and his wife, Terry Lynn, live in North River Mills where they raised two daughters and continue to operated a farm. He also enjoys playing rock and roll with his band, Rain Crow.
Lisa Harper - Secretary
Lisa grew up in Virginia playing in school orchestras through adulthood. While a recent resident to West Virginia after building a home in Hampshire County in 2016, her relation Robert Harper founded Harper's Ferry and built a Quaker meeting house near the site of Winchester. Lisa wishes she had exposure to traditional music as a child, and has become an enthusiastic supporter of the musical and cultural heritage of Appalachian Old Time music. She uses her technical skills and knowledge to aid in the mission of CMDF.
ABOUT CMDF
ABOUT CMDF
Mission:
Mission:
The mission of Cacapon Music and Dance Foundation is to:
The mission of Cacapon Music and Dance Foundation is to:
- empower children and youth via access to high-quality music education, break down aspirational and social barriers to music education, cultivate a diverse community of passionate, young musicians, and foster creativity, discipline and self-confidence.
- celebrate the rich cultural heritage of our community through the promotion of and education in participatory folk dance with the intention of nurturing social unity, preserving cultural identity, and providing transformative experiences to individuals across multiple generations.
Programming will be funded via donations and grants.
Programming will be funded via donations and grants.
Vision:
Vision:
The vision of Cacapon Music and Dance Foundation is to:
The vision of Cacapon Music and Dance Foundation is to:
- foster an environment where children and youth can access music education, with priority given to students with financial needs.
- perpetuate folk life traditions and expand Community via instruction in multi-generational folk dance.
- inspire a lifelong love for music and dance while nurturing the next generation of talented artists and leaders who will enrich our world with their unique voices and contributions.
By-Laws
By-Laws
- Name and Purpose
The name of the corporation is Cacapon Music and Dance Foundation (Hereafter CMDF). The purpose of CMDF is to 1) provide access to musical education for deserving children and youth, 2) facilitate multi-generational participatory and educational dance events in the community of Capon Bridge, WV and its surrounding regions, and 3) explore opportunities for and implement future music and dance programming.
The name of the corporation is Cacapon Music and Dance Foundation (Hereafter CMDF). The purpose of CMDF is to 1) provide access to musical education for deserving children and youth, 2) facilitate multi-generational participatory and educational dance events in the community of Capon Bridge, WV and its surrounding regions, and 3) explore opportunities for and implement future music and dance programming.
The Cacapon Music and Dance Foundation is organized exclusively for charitable purposes under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code, or corresponding section of any future federal tax code.
The Cacapon Music and Dance Foundation is organized exclusively for charitable purposes under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code, or corresponding section of any future federal tax code.
- Offices
The official address is 152 Capon School Street, Capon Bridge, WV 26711. The corporation shall maintain a registered agent whose office is identical with the corporation’s registered office.
The official address is 152 Capon School Street, Capon Bridge, WV 26711. The corporation shall maintain a registered agent whose office is identical with the corporation’s registered office.
- Organization and Funding
CMDF shall have no members.
CMDF shall have no members.
CMDF is funded by private monetary donations, donations in kind, and grants from other organizations and government agencies. CMDF is an exclusively charitable organization funded within the meaning of Sec. 501(c)3 of the Internal Revenue Code, or the corresponding section of any future federal tax code. Its fiscal year is the calendar year, January 1 through December 31.
CMDF is funded by private monetary donations, donations in kind, and grants from other organizations and government agencies. CMDF is an exclusively charitable organization funded within the meaning of Sec. 501(c)3 of the Internal Revenue Code, or the corresponding section of any future federal tax code. Its fiscal year is the calendar year, January 1 through December 31.
- Scope of Activities
CMDF collects and redistributes funds to provide performing arts scholarships to deserving youth, 18 years and under, seeking to receive musical education; and helps facilitate multi-generational dance events in Capon Bridge and the surrounding community to promote and preserve participatory folk dance.
CMDF collects and redistributes funds to provide performing arts scholarships to deserving youth, 18 years and under, seeking to receive musical education; and helps facilitate multi-generational dance events in Capon Bridge and the surrounding community to promote and preserve participatory folk dance.
- Board of Directors, Officers and Governance
- Board of Directors: All corporate powers shall be exercised by or under the
authority of, and the affairs of the corporation managed under the direction of, the Board of Directors. The Board of Directors will determine, by unanimous vote, the activities and projects of the corporation. The Board of Directors shall comprise between four and twelve members, four of whom will serve as the Officers of the corporation. The Board of Directors shall not permit compensation of Directors for their services as such.
authority of, and the affairs of the corporation managed under the direction of, the Board of Directors. The Board of Directors will determine, by unanimous vote, the activities and projects of the corporation. The Board of Directors shall comprise between four and twelve members, four of whom will serve as the Officers of the corporation. The Board of Directors shall not permit compensation of Directors for their services as such.
- Elections and Removal: New Directors shall be elected by the existing Board of Directors. The term is three years. Officers shall be elected as needed. Nominations for Officers will be made by Directors from the floor. If any Director then holding office so demands, the election of Officers shall be by secret ballot. A Director may be removed from office for failing to attend two consecutive meetings of the Board of Directors by the unanimous vote of the Directors in office, or for any other reasonable cause approved by a 2/3rd majority of the Board.
- Officers:
President: The President shall be responsible for the preparation and conduct of Board meetings and activities.
President: The President shall be responsible for the preparation and conduct of Board meetings and activities.
Vice President: The Vice President will assume responsibilities of the President if the President is unable to fulfill his/her duties due to absence, illness, or other reason. The Vice President shall advise the President on any other matters concerning the activities of the CMDF.
Vice President: The Vice President will assume responsibilities of the President if the President is unable to fulfill his/her duties due to absence, illness, or other reason. The Vice President shall advise the President on any other matters concerning the activities of the CMDF.
Secretary: The Secretary shall keep records of the proceedings of Board meetings, policies, and records of projects and activities.
Secretary: The Secretary shall keep records of the proceedings of Board meetings, policies, and records of projects and activities.
Treasurer: The Treasurer shall keep records of and maintain funds delivered to CMDF. Expenditures over $250 must be authorized by a majority vote of the Board, and all expenditures must be consistent with CMDF’s exemptions under IRS Code section 501(c)3 and with West Virginia law for charitable corporations. The Treasurer, the President, and the Executive Director will have signatory authority. The Treasurer shall make available to the Board a statement of fiscal conditions of CMDF annually and shall make informal reports of monies at meetings of the Board.
Treasurer: The Treasurer shall keep records of and maintain funds delivered to CMDF. Expenditures over $250 must be authorized by a majority vote of the Board, and all expenditures must be consistent with CMDF’s exemptions under IRS Code section 501(c)3 and with West Virginia law for charitable corporations. The Treasurer, the President, and the Executive Director will have signatory authority. The Treasurer shall make available to the Board a statement of fiscal conditions of CMDF annually and shall make informal reports of monies at meetings of the Board.
- Meetings and meeting notice: The Board of Directors shall meet at least four (4) times per year. Meetings may be called by the President or any three (3) members of the Board upon giving written notice, including by email, to all Board members at least one (1) week before the meeting date. A majority of Directors must be present at each meeting, either in person, by telephone, or other remote technical means.
- Committees
The Board of Directors, by unanimous vote, may create one or more committees on an ad hoc basis to address issues such as (but not limited to) project selection, coordination with other organizations, publicity, and fundraising. Committee members may be volunteers who are not serving on the Board of Directors. Committees will present recommendations to the Board of Directors for consideration and decision.
The Board of Directors, by unanimous vote, may create one or more committees on an ad hoc basis to address issues such as (but not limited to) project selection, coordination with other organizations, publicity, and fundraising. Committee members may be volunteers who are not serving on the Board of Directors. Committees will present recommendations to the Board of Directors for consideration and decision.
- Amendments
These by-laws may be amended or revised at any time upon a unanimous vote of the Board of Directors.
These by-laws may be amended or revised at any time upon a unanimous vote of the Board of Directors.
- Dissolution
Dissolution of the CMDF can be accomplished by a unanimous vote at any meeting of the Board of Directors. Any funds in the treasury at the time of dissolution not needed to pay the outstanding obligations shall be donated to any like-minded non-profit organization to be determined by a vote of the Board of Directors.
Dissolution of the CMDF can be accomplished by a unanimous vote at any meeting of the Board of Directors. Any funds in the treasury at the time of dissolution not needed to pay the outstanding obligations shall be donated to any like-minded non-profit organization to be determined by a vote of the Board of Directors.
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