Board and Staff

​

As a Solution Architect at Eide Bailly LLP, a premier accounting and business advisory firm, I collaborate with clients and teams to craft and deliver innovative solutions to business challenges using Microsoft technologies and platforms. With over 20 years of experience in software engineering and advanced degrees in software engineering and data science, I bring a wealth of knowledge and expertise to every project. I also hold more than 25 industry certifications, including Microsoft Solution Architect certifications for Azure, Power Platform, Agentic A.I. and Dynamics.

I also serve on the board of directors for Red Dragon Swimming and Minnesota Swimming.  In my spare time I am usually on a pool deck serving as an official for USA, US Para, and High School swimming.  I also enjoy building and creating with Lego and discovering new music with my daughter who plays bass in the FMAYS Symphony Orchestra.

Alex Rydell is an FMAYS Alumni and has served two separate times on the board. He has been a funeral director at Hanson-Runsvold Funeral Home in Fargo since 2007, and is active in the Fargo-Moorhead communities. He continues to play violin at various local churches, and plays fiddle in the Irish band, Poitin (pah-CHEEN). Alex is married to his wife, Rebecca, and they have three children between the two of them, Brady, Ruby, and Henley. Alex is committed to the FMAYS organization and helping FMAYS students to succeed.

Tyler Vastag is an FMAYS parent and spouse to an FMAYS alumnus. He enjoys seeing the students’ growth and listening to high quality music performed under excellent directors. Tyler is excited about FMAYS’ future and its commitment to ensuring young musicians have an opportunity to challenge themselves and grow. Tyler is a financial technology consultant who works with clients throughout the Americas. He enjoys spending time with spouse, Becca, their two children, friends, and spending time outdoors.

An FMAYS alumnus and parent, Becca has seen firsthand how involvement in FMAYS challenges students, fosters their growth, and creates well-rounded community members. After growing up in Moorhead, she earned a Bachelor of Music Therapy Degree from UW-Eau Claire. Becca currently sings with The Master Chorale of Fargo-Moorhead and works as an academic interventionist. She loves to be outdoors, create and listen to music, and spend time with her husband, kids, and friends. 

Sherry Linnerooth's career has spanned thirty-two years of dedicated service to music educators and students through her work at Eckroth Music, and an additional thirty years as a music educator. She currently serves as Regional Manager for Eckroth Music in the state of North Dakota. Her teaching career has included educating students in Bozeman, MT Public Schools, Montana State University in Bozeman and Minnesota State University-Moorhead. She continues to teach French Horn to private students and is a member of Phi Beta Mu. Sherry is a graduate of Concordia College. As a horn player she has performed with the Fargo-Moorhead and Grand Forks Symphonies in ND and the Bozeman, Helena, Butte and Billings Symphonies in Montana. Sherry has also performed with the Montana Ballet Company and Intermountain Opera Company Orchestra. Sherry taught horn for twenty-five years at the Flathead Lake Music Camp and was a member of the Bozeman ParForce Ensemble. She has been a soloist with choirs and bands in Montana and has presented clinics and educational classes on horn playing and teaching. Sherry also served five years as Executive Director for the Bozeman Symphony before returning to her home state of North Dakota. Sherry and her husband, Scott have two grown children and two grandchildren. When not teaching and working with music educators and students Sherry can be found hanging out with her family, dog Gustav and enjoying lake time on Lake Melissa.

Hope Ray serves as a lead academic advisor for the College of Health and Human Sciences at North Dakota State University. She holds a B.A. from Austin College (Sherman, TX) and an M.S. in Counseling and Student Personnel Services with a Master’s Certificate in International Education from Oklahoma State University. She has served in both student and academic affairs roles at The University of Tulsa, OSU, and NDSU where the common thread of her professional and volunteer work has been the growth and development of learners in a variety of settings. The parent of an FMAYS cellist, she played viola in her own high school orchestra and college string ensembles and is proud to support the work of FMAYS in nurturing the growth of young musicians. 

Sue Estenson brings experience helping organizations and teams work more effectively through thoughtful leadership, clear communication, and continuous improvement. She is known for her ability to listen, simplify complex challenges, and create practical paths forward that support both people and outcomes.

Sue has a strong passion for supporting children and adults on the autism spectrum and believes music is a powerful tool for learning, expression, and building confidence in children of all abilities. She previously served as Secretary on the Board of Directors for the North Dakota Autism Center and continues to support community-focused initiatives that promote inclusion and help individuals thrive.
 

Outside of work and volunteer commitments, Sue enjoys spending time with family and friends at the lake and crocheting. Sue lives in Fargo with her husband, Tim, and their dog, Gibbs, and has one son, Caleb, who is thriving in Duluth.

Laura Kellogg is the Executive Director of FMAYS. She also teaches flute at NDSU and MSUM. In the summers, she is the Personnel Manager and flutist of the Ohio Light Opera. She has played in the Fargo-Moorhead Symphony Orchestra, the Fargo-Moorhead Opera, and with other orchestras in Indiana and Michigan. 

​

Laura graduated with a doctorate in flute performance from the University of Oklahoma. She holds a master’s degree from Wright State University and a bachelor’s degree from Michigan State University, both in music performance. 

​

In her free time, Laura enjoys yoga, hiking, reading, watching scary movies, and hanging out with her cats Pandora, Aphrodite, and Apollo.

​

Please visit her website for more information: www.laurakelloggflutist.com