Board of Directors at Swallow Hill Music

Jon R. Tandler

Jon practices intellectual property and business transactions law, specializing in copyright, publishing, and technology. He now focuses on working with and teaching developing lawyers at his firm.

Jon joined the Swallow Hill Board in 2026 and serves on its Finance Committee. He is a musician and percussionist playing Conga drums and other instruments. He appreciates working with a community-based organization whose central mission is music education.

Jon can often be found with his wife in Southwestern Colorado, enjoying the mountains and attending performing arts events.

David Howard

David joined the board in July 2026. He’s a longtime resident of Denver, having moved here from Ohio in the late 1980’s. Over the years, he’s taken guitar, voice and piano classes at Swallow Hill that led to his desire to get more involved with the organization.

He’s spent his career in financial services building lasting client relationships and helping organizations provide strong retirement programs to their employees.

Outside of work, you’ll usually find him with a double bass in his hands learning and playing various genres of music, or on a road bike putting in miles to stay in shape.

First concert? The Kinks in 1985

What song could you listen to all day long? “Ai No Corrida” by Quincy Jones

Favorite Colorado hangout? City Park (Sunday Jazz in the Summer) & Belleview Beer Garden

George Gastis

George Gastis joined the Swallow Hill Music Board in 2026. A Cleveland, Ohio native, George is an entrepreneur whose career spans more than three decades in branding, digital marketing, technology, and community-centered business development.

After founding and later selling BrainSpark Media, he combined his professional expertise with a passion for farming and local food to create Grow + Gather, an urban farm and gathering place in Englewood. He believes vibrant communities are built through shared experiences centered around music, food, art, and nature, and is passionate about the power of live music to bring people together.

George is also a beekeeper and enjoys gardening, snowboarding, traveling, and spending time with family and friends.

First concert? Billy Joel

What song could you listen to all day long? Blue Sky

Favorite Colorado hangout? Work & Class in Englewood 🙂

Bonny Dolan

Bonny Dolan moved from Chicago, where she produced hundreds of ads while VP at Leo Burnett ad agency. At the same time, she served on the Chicago Recording Academy board for years.

After moving to Denver, she was elected to the SF/CO RA board where she is now VP. Bonny also started Women in Music in Denver, a global organization. Music supervising is now her specialty, putting music on film, docs, ads, etc. Spare time is walking with her dog Clyde, traveling, reading, and movies.

First concert? The Fifth Dimension (I was very young!)

What song could you listen to all day long? Beatles or Frank Sinatra or Rachmaninoff

Favorite Colorado hangout? Temaki Den

Kate Madden

Kate has served on the board of Swallow Hill Music since 2026. Originally from Montana, she moved to Colorado in 2016 to attend law school. Her passion for music began early in life, and she played bassoon throughout school. When she isn’t supporting our communication efforts, you can find her at a concert, trying new Denver restaurants, camping/hiking, and adventuring with her new puppy.

First concert? Bob Dylan with Asleep at the Wheel

What song could you listen to all day long? “When I Was a Young Girl” by Marlon Williams

Favorite Colorado hangout? Washington Park

Tiffany Pallotto

Tiffany Pallotto joined the Swallow Hill Music Board in 2024. Originally from Denver, she worked at Swallow Hill from 2017 to 2022, first leading community outreach programs such as Little Swallows and Music Therapy, then serving as Director of Development.

With a 20-year career in arts education, philanthropy, and partnership development, she has also held roles with Colorado Ballet and the Denver Center for the Performing Arts. Tiffany is passionate about advancing equity in arts education and celebrating Swallow Hill as a community treasure.

She lives in Lakewood with her two sons and enjoys rafting, playing her ukulele, and catching up with friends over coffee or wine.

First concert? The Beach Boys with my Dad

What song could you listen to all day long? “Here Comes the Sun”

Favorite Colorado hangout? Watching kids run through the fountains at Union Station

Kim Hargraves Tyrrell

Kim Tyrrell serves as an Associate Director at the National Conference of State Legislatures (NCSL), where she oversees the organization’s environment program. Before joining NCSL, she worked for the Denver Metro Clean Cities Coalition, playing a key role in the development of Colorado’s inaugural Electric Vehicle and Infrastructure Readiness plan.

Kim’s transition into environmental policy was preceded by her tenure as Executive Director of the Colorado Alliance for Arts Education (Think 360 Arts). Prior to that, she spent nearly ten years with the American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers (ASCAP), holding various positions and ultimately managing The ASCAP Foundation, where she launched the Lillith Fair Songwriting Contest.

Originally from Creede, CO—home to the Creede Repertory Theatre—Kim served several years on its Board of Directors. Although not a musician herself, she is inspired by the creativity of others and remains committed to cultivating environments where artistic and creative talents can flourish.

First concert? Loverboy

What song could you listen to all day long? “These Boots Are Made For Walkin’” by Nancy Sinatra

Favorite Colorado hangout? Wash Park

Joe Black

This is Joe’s 2nd term as a Trustee. He served on the Board shortly after coming to Denver in 2010. Joe served as Senior Rabbi of Denver’s Temple Emanuel for 15 years. He is now Rabbi Emeritus.

Joe is also a nationally recognized Singer/Songwriter who has performed at Swallow Hill on numerous occasions. He plays guitar, banjo, piano, harmonica and percussion. He is a Chicago Native – which is where he fell in love with the guitar and took lessons at The Old Town School of folk Music. While in college, he hosted the Emmy Award Winning local Chicago Television show, “The Magic Door,” where he played an elf named “Tiny Tov.”

Joe is currently writing a book of “The Spirituality of Creativity.” He loves to ski, hike and, most importantly, spend time with his grandson, Ezzy who lives in New York.

First concert? 1971 – The Jackson Five and the Siegel Schwall Blues Band

What song could you listen to all day long? Anything by John Prine or Steve Goodman

Favorite Colorado hangout? Swallow Hill, of course!

Brandy Radey

As senior advisor, community relations, Brandy is responsible for advancing Suncor’s U.S. business through strategic community engagement and external relations activities. A primary accountability in this role is overseeing Suncor’s U.S. social investment program, working collaboratively with partners to address community issues in a way that seeks solutions and benefits all.

Brandy has 25 years of experience helping organizations from the public, private and non-profit sectors leverage social investment, stakeholder relations and marketing communications strategies to achieve their purpose. Prior to Suncor, Brandy served in senior positions at Cohn Marketing and Schenkein Public Relations. She began her career in Florida working for the state’s official tourism marketing organization. Brandy serves on the Denver Public Schools Foundation’s Development Committee and is a past chair of the B:CIVIC Board of Directors. She also holds a Certificate in Corporate Citizenship Practice from Boston College.

Originally from Tallahassee, Brandy earned her degree in English Literature with a minor in Spanish from Florida State University. She is an avid mountain biker, yoga enthusiast and Phish fan, and resides with her family in Denver’s Highlands/Northside neighborhood.

Jason Smirnow

Jason Smirnow joined the board in June 2024. He grew up in Maryland and moved to Colorado in the fall of 1998 where he began honing his guitar skills as a student at Swallow Hill. He relishes the opportunity to give back to an organization that has given him and the Colorado music community so much.

When Jason isn’t knee deep in the details of the Swallow Hill finances, you can find him whitewater rafting with his wife Cassidy, catching a Red Rocks show, or playing music with friends at your local brewery.

First concert? Def Leppard, Merriweather Post Pavilion 1998

What song could you listen to all day long? “American Tune” by Paul Simon

Favorite Colorado hangout? Red Rocks

Lyn Schneider

Lyn began serving on the board of Swallow Hill Music in 2024. Originally from Iowa, she’s always had a passion for music, whether it’s playing keys in a band, singing in friends’ weddings, performing in community theater or playing clarinet in an ensemble. She believes music builds community and was excited to support an organization doing just that where she could bridge her professional and personal passions.

When she isn’t supporting our communication efforts or making music, you can find her running around Denver and on nearby trails, reading a good book or seeking out her next international travel adventure.

First concert? Yellowcard

What song could you listen to all day long? “I and Love and You” by The Avett Brothers

Favorite Colorado hangout? St. Mark’s Coffee House

Rebecca Grant Zarret

Rebecca Grant Zarret began her relationship with Swallow Hill in 2016 when her children were in Little Swallows, now joining the Board in 2024. She has 30 years of experience in education and currently coaches leaders and facilitates retreats in Denver and Foxton, CO. She is excited to bring this background along with her lifelong passion for music to the board!

When she isn’t supporting our efforts, you can find her adventuring with her family, spending time and nature, and of course…seeing live music!

First concert? 1987 — either Pointer Sisters or Paul Simon/Graceland Tour

What song could you listen to all day long? “Real Love Baby” by Father John Misty

Favorite Colorado hangout? Our property next to Cathedral Spires Park in Foxton, CO!

Rob Silk

Rob has served on the board of Swallow Hill since 2021 and currently serves as Secretary on the Executive Committee. Born and raised in Connecticut, Rob moved his ukulele to Colorado in 2006 and was immediately drawn to the mission and programming of Swallow Hill.

A marketing executive by day and a songwriter by night, Rob camps, cooks, reads, and writes whenever he’s not at a concert.

Tracy Zabel

Tracy has served on the board of Swallow Hill Music since 2016 and is a proud member of the Finance Committee. She previously served as the Chair and Treasurer and as a member of the Executive Committee.

Tracy grew up on a farm in Minnesota and worked in public accounting in Minneapolis before following her calling to Colorado in 2009. She is passionate about equality, destigmatizing the prioritization of mental health and ensuring the preservation of and access to arts and culture. Enjoying music written and played by others is her favorite outlet and she is honored to work with Swallow Hill to positively impact the quality of people’s lives through music.

When she isn’t working, you will most likely find her at a concert, traveling with her husband, listening to an audiobook or cuddling with her two favorite cat frenemies.

Dave Ratner

Dave Ratner has served on the Swallow Hill Board since 2019 and has been helping Swallow Hill with contracts and legal issues since 2009. Originally from New York, Dave is a former Band Manager turned Lawyer who runs Creative Law Network, a law firm focused on working with creative people and businesses.

When Dave isn’t dealing with contracts and copyrights, you can find him the mountains on skis or a mountain bike or seeing live music. But, mostly, you’ll find him skiing. His wife Julie and dog Tele are usually by his side.

First concert? Either Weird Al Yankovic or Lionel Richie (versions of history differ on this)

What song could you listen to all day long? “Miami 2017” by Billy Joel

Favorite Colorado hangout? Anywhere on snow with skis on my feet

Walt DeHaven

Recently retired, Walt and his wife Wendy spend a lot of time traveling the world in search of the best in live music. When at home, in both Colorado and Florida, he can usually be found looking for a golf game.

First concert? Marshall Tucker Band

What song could you listen to all day long? “Stuff That Works” by Guy Clark

Favorite Colorado hangout? Swallow Hill, of course!