Phylshawn Johnson, Compass Board Chair

Phylshawn Johnson is a founding Compass Board member. In 2007, she was invited by Vicki Leighty to join the original Steering Committee to help develop the Compass Music Camp. In 2013, Phylshawn was voted as the Compass chair and has remained in that position since. Her tireless efforts have been instrumental in the growth and success of the organization. She is known for her multifaceted contributions, including running sound and managing the financials of the Compass Music Center, as well as ensuring the smooth operation and upkeep of the facility. Aside from her roles with Compass, she is also an accomplished drummer, teacher, singer, songwriter, producer, and engineer, most recognized as the drummer for Violet and the Undercurrents.

Violet Vonder Haar, Compass Programs Director

Violet Vonder Haar is a musician, artist, teacher, and community leader. She first became involved with Compass in 2009, when she was invited to perform in various Compass Songwriter Showcases by Vicki Leighty. In 2012, Phylshawn Johnson extended an invitation for her to join the staff for the first year of Compass Music Camp, and she has been actively involved with the organization since then. She currently serves as the Programs Director, as well as a facilitator, teacher, and director for various Compass programs, such as IGRB Choir, Compass Folk Choir, Compass Songwriters Club, and more. Additionally, Violet manages a full schedule of students at Violet’s Songbird Studio. She is also the Director of Music Ministry at the Unitarian Universalist Church of Columbia and is the lead singer and songwriter for shape-shifting indie rock band, Violet and the Undercurrents.

Tony Lotven, Compass Vice Chair

Tony Lotven has been playing music since he was four years old. Classically trained on the flute, self-taught on sax, he has performed in Columbia bands since the mid-1970s. He was an original member of the Kansas City Streetband and has played many genres with various bands. Currently, he is a member of The Fried Crawdaddies and The Daves. He makes guest appearances with The Kay Brothers and several tribute shows. He also has a stellar career as a business consultant to national, regional, and local businesses and organizations. Tony is married to Columbia artist Melynda Lotven and has three amazing children and three granddaughters. He also serves as a board member for the We Always Swing Jazz Series.

Vicki Leighty, Compass Founder and Grant Writer

Vicki is the owner of Leighty Consulting Services, a company that has provided specialized services including funding research, grant writing, grants management, strategic planning, and capacity building for nonprofit organizations since 1998.  It was Vicki’s expertise in the nonprofit sector and her life-long passion for music, that led her to envision in 2007, a music focused nonprofit organization in Columbia that would become Compass, Inc. Vicki recruited musicians, singers, and songwriters and together they engaged in planning to establish Compass as an IRS recognized tax-exempt organization. Vicki served as Compass’ first Chair of the Board of Directors for five years until 2012. She then focused her attention to establishment of a second business, Lydaco Music which Vicki has developed into a boutique booking agency, providing management, tour planning and booking services for a roster of highly acclaimed national- and international-touring folk, roots and americana artists. In November 2022, Vicki committed to serve as Compass’ grant writer to help expand funding for general operations and year-round music programming at the Compass Music Center.

Linda Bott, Compass Board Secretary

Linda Bott is a bassist, singer songwriter, and video producer who has been active in Columbia’s music scene since 1995. From cover bands and tribute shows, to all original projects, Linda’s versatile approach has proven to be an asset to any group, and has strengthened her skills beyond music. Her role as bassist for Violet & the Undercurrents began August 2014, and has grown in many ways since then. In May 2019, Linda was invited to serve on the Compass Board of Directors as Secretary, and continues to enjoy that role. You can find her playing bass with IGRBC, one of the many great programs offered at Compass Inc. She also contributes time, energy, and video production skills as her way of nurturing the seeds of musical growth in the community.

Art Smith, Compass Board Treasurer

Art has been passionate about music since he started playing trumpet at age five. He still enjoys playing tuba, singing in choirs, and playing uke bass. He takes lessons at Compass but has no plans to become a professional musician. Art was involved with Compass from the beginning, helping to transform it into what it is today. You can often find Art hanging around Compass, whether participating in programs, listening to concerts, taking lessons, or serving as the unofficial Compass handyman and extra pair of hands. He is thrilled to play a small part in instilling his life-long love of music in others through all of Compass’s activities.

Zach Harrison, Compass Board Member

Zach Harrison’s musical journey began at the age of four when he started taking piano lessons. He continued playing piano until the age of 14, when he switched to guitar. He has been playing guitar ever since, and currently, is the guitarist for the Molly Healey String Project and various other music projects. Zach was a band coach for the first several years of Compass Music Camp in 2012-2015 and has been serving on the Compass board since 2019 while working as a Loan Officer for Veterans United, which has been a major supporter of Compass’s fundraising efforts.

Ruth Acuff, Compass Board Member

Ruth Acuff is a versatile multi-instrumentalist with a primary emphasis on creating original music for harp and voice. Having previously served as the bass player for Violet & the Undercurrents, Ruth brings a rich musical history to her role as a board member for the nonprofit organization Compass Inc. Since 2013, Ruth has intermittently contributed her expertise to Compass Inc., wearing various hats as a band coach, songwriting teacher, and musical guest performer at Compass Music Camp. Her dedication to fostering musical talent and her diverse experiences in the industry make Ruth Acuff a valuable asset to the Compass Inc. community.

Chuck Parzych, Compass Board Member

Chuck has been playing music for 40 years, in bands and orchestras. He is involved with the Raptor Rehabilitation Project here in Columbia, caring for sick or injured birds of prey, while also giving educational presentations about their conservation. Chuck and his family participate in the Intergenerational Rock Band Choir (IGRBC) and several other Compass programs. His oldest child  has been attending Compass’s Summer Music Camp since 2018.

Kelly Neudecker, Compass Board Member

Kelly is the Director of Bands for Fulton Public Schools.  She’s been teaching for 23 years, with 17 of those years in her hometown of Fulton. She went to Mizzou for her undergrad, and has a Masters degree in Education from William Woods University and a Masters Degree in Music Education from Central Methodist University.  She had the privilege of meeting Phylshawn when Braden Rosenstengel and Logan Garner (mutual students) insisted they try to convince her to work with our drumline (she agreed – lucky for them!). Shortly after, Phylshawn asked her to work with Compass Music Camp and she had a blast!  Kelly is excited to be on the Compass Board and thrilled to see how much has already been accomplished!