Common Ground on the Hill Staff 2011

Walt Michael, Founder and Executive Director

Staff member since 1994

Duties include artistic direction, curriculum development, supervision of instructors, college relations, board relations, external relations, staff supervision.

Bio: Considered to be a virtuoso of tremendous influence in the revival of the hammered dulcimer, Walt’s wide repertoire ranges from old-time Southern Appalachian, to Celtic, to original compositions. His various musical incarnations, including Bottle Hill, Michael, McCreesh & Campbell and Walt Michael & Co. have taken him from the coal camps of Appalachia to the Closing Ceremonies of the 13th Olympic Winter Games. As a vocalist and multi-instrumentalist he has recorded fourteen albums, appeared at the Lincoln and Kennedy Centers and toured internationally. His music has been heard on ABC-TV, NBC’s Tonight Show, Broadway, BBC, TNN, CBC and PBS. Walt is the Founder, Artistic and Executive Director of Common Ground on the Hill, and the Artist in Residence at McDaniel College.

Sarah LaCoss, Office Administrator

Staff member since 2011

Duties include registrations and ticket sales, office management, venue coordination, bookkeeping and payroll

Bio: Sarah LaCoss, Office Administrator, joined Common Ground on the Hill in 2011 as the Office Administrator.  She oversees all administrative activity for Traditions Weeks, The Common Ground on the Hill Festival, The Deer Creek Fiddlers’ Convention, and The Roots Music Concert Series.

Sarah earned her BS in Biology/Environmental Science from Salisbury University in 2006 and a BS in Marine Science from the University of Maryland Easter Shore in 2006.  Before joining the staff at CGOTH, Sarah worked as a veterinary technician in Westminster, Maryland.  LaCoss resides in Westminster with her husband and three cats.