Jeremy Van Hoy, Board Member

JEREMY VAN HOY is presently bass trombonist with the Colorado Springs Philharmonic, Boulder Philharmonic, and Opera Colorado. After growing up in Detroit, he received music performance degrees from the University of Michigan (B.M.) and Northwestern University (M.M.). His teachers were Fritz Kaenzig and Frank Crisafulli, respectively. As euphonium soloist, Mr. Van Hoy has performed with the Denver Municipal Band, Denver Brass, Ann Arbor Chamber Brass, Boulder Brass, Pikes Peak Brass Band, Little London Winds and the Livonia (MI) Symphony. In 1996, he was the 1st Prize winner at the Leonard Falcone International Euphonium Competition.

Other accomplishments include being the first bass trombonist selected to the Tanglewood Music Center twice, and selection to the Sir Georg Solti Orchestral Project at Carnegie Hall. Mr. Van Hoy is an active free-lancer, having performed frequently with the Detroit, St. Louis, New Mexico and Colorado Symphonies. An active proponent of new music, Mr. Van Hoy gave his New York recital debut on April 5, 1998 in Merkin Concert Hall. This program featured five works written especially for the soloist. In September 2008, Jeremy became the director of the Colorado College Concert Band.  He recently filled in as the Director of the Lamont Wind Ensemble at Denver University.  You can also hear him play horns and keyboard with the indie-folk band, Edith Makes A Paperchain.

Falon Ramsey, Board Vice-President and Lead Coordinator for Alcohol Sales

Falon moved to Colorado in 2017 and began her adventure with RMH in 2021, as a volunteer, and was selected as Lead Coordinator of Alcohol Sales in 2022. Falon joined our Board in 2023. With more than 15 years experience in music production, her vision to bring community together through music in the Pikes Peak Region is a focal point for Falon. Prior to joining RMH, she has held positions with other music production companies in the artist hospitality field from 2011 to current. She was part owner of Good Times Productions hosting an annual music festival, Elderberry Jam, in the midwest. With deep-seeded roots in the music industry, and passion for live music and community, she is eager to grow with Rocky Mountain Highway.

Rachel Wenzel, Board Treasurer and Volunteer Coordinator Lead

Rachel brings a deep love for live events, community building, and family-friendly spaces to the Rocky Mountain Highway Music Collaborative board. She works at a marketing agency as an event and project manager and has spent her career in the events world, producing everything from running races and beer festivals to large-scale corporate events and conferences.

Rachel’s connection to the festival is deeply personal. She first attended while newly pregnant with her daughter and immediately envisioned a future where her family could grow alongside the festival and its community. In 2025, she served as Lead Volunteer Coordinator—often with her five-month-old by her side—helping welcome and support the volunteers who make the festival possible.

As Secretary of the Board and Lead Volunteer Coordinator, Rachel is passionate about creating a festival experience that is welcoming, accessible, and rooted in a strong sense of belonging. She believes in the power of live music to bring people together, introduce audiences to new artists, and foster a festival “family” where all ages feel at home.

Chris Alvarez, Board Member

Nationally recognized award-winning painter, Chris Alvarez, a New Mexico native,  moved to Colorado in 1988, courtesy of Uncle Sam, when he joined the Army. He works in downtown Colorado Springs, at The Alvarez Gallery Art Studio, as an artist and art educator. His work is regionally known for depicting romance in the mundane.  He enjoys juggling, collecting records, and the outdoors. He is a budding musician learning to play the baritone ukelele and the acoustic guitar. Through this practice, Chris is an even bigger fan of live local music.

Kristen Cahill, Treasurer

Chief Financial Officer at SPUR Philanthropy. Kristen is a dedicated volunteer in our community. She is a proud Colorado native with a deep passion for accelerating community-based small businesses and organizations. She attended Colorado State University and received her undergraduate degree in Business Administration with a concentration in accounting.  After college, she joined Ernst & Young as a CPA and worked as a Financial Statement Auditor. That experience exposed her to a diverse spectrum of businesses and industries, helping her realize her passion for small business and community. She went on to work in in-house accounting and managerial positions and finally made her way to the Colorado Craft Beer Industry. As the general manager of Red Leg Brewery, she strived to connect business to community, and she established and grew a philanthropic program which engaged and benefited many non-profit organizations. Her most treasured times are those spent with her husband, dog, family and friends.  She also loves cooking, reading, gardening, and yoga, and freely admits to having a few too many house plants.

Rebecca Taraborelli, Interim Board President

Rebecca has proudly attended every MeadowGrass Music Festival!

When MeadowGrass debuted in 2009, she brought her baby to see Peter Rowan and the Free Mexican Airforce in the rain. From 2010-2016, Rebecca’s restaurant, Rasta Pasta sold food in the Meadow alongside her dear friends from Jake and Tellys and Front Range BBQ. In 2017 Rasta Pasta catered the Friday night meal in the Green Room and in 2018 Rebecca became the lead volunteer for catering , securing and overseeing nine catered meals in three days every Memorial Day Weekend.

Rebecca shares her love for MeadowGrass with her husband Matt and teenage sons Lucky and Leo. After joining the Rocky Mountain Highway Board of Directors in 2024 she then became President in November of 2025. She hopes her experience in event management, fundraising, and non-profit leadership will help preserve and strengthen this festival that is so near and dear to her heart and the source of so many fond memories with family and friends.

Kate Rainwater, Festival Director

Kate joined MeadowGrass three years ago as a retail and food vendor lead. Art is something she sees everywhere from the elegant design of a walkable community to her Grandmother’s china. The display at the grocery store can communicate respect and thoughtfulness whether or not it is realized. It is the clashing of diametric forces creating something elevated above the combining elements.

She has over 15 years experience in high-end retail including running custom furniture showrooms in New York city and Palo Alto. Her diverse passions include arts, sustainability and community. In Mountain View, CA she served as Board Member and Merchandise Chair for Deer Hollow Farm for three years and recently as a Project Manager for District 11.

Her goal is to continue creating community through art and intentionality and support the 17 year history of this beautiful festival.

festivaldirector@rockymountainhighway.org

Frank Case, Board Member

Frank is friends with mythical woodland creatures. That is all you need to know.