BENJAMIN Cadwallader
Company: Vermont Symphony Orchestra
Title: Executive Director
Age: 35
Career Highlights: Launching and sustaining the success of the VSO's Jukebox program has been one of the greatest joys of my career thus far. Everyone from the artistic team to our musicians to the hard working management staff has made this one of the VSO's most popular and profitable concert series in our 85 year history. 
We've been presenting Jukebox at Artsriot for three years now and the series has successfully brought together new audience members and long-time VSO fans for a wholly unique and engaging experience.
Community Involvement: Through the King Street Center, I've been incredibly lucky to have been paired with Lucas through their mentorship program. Lucas and I have been mentor and mentee for a little over a year, and we hang out every week for four to six hours on Wednesday evenings and Saturday mornings. Lucas is nine and brings tremendous joy and unexpected wisdom into my life.
What motivated you to live and work in Vermont? Vermont is a magical place, and Vermonters are brimming with civic pride for our brave little state. Despite our small size, Vermont leads the way regionally and nationally in beer, cheese, progressive politics, renewable energy, homegrown music, early childhood education, quality of life, and on and on... To make a living in this beautiful and supportive environment, and to bring world-class music to Vermonters throughout the state continued to be an incredible honor.
Favorite part of your job? Attending concerts has to be one of my favorite parts of my job, but I also love when my colleagues surprise me with brilliant ideas and creative solutions.
Tell us something fun about yourself that few people know: I can probably beat you at ping pong and I'm a huge science fiction nerd.
Favorite Vermont escape: Green River Reservoir is a fave. I love canoeing out with my girlfriend and Giant Schnauzer Beau to soak up the calm and spend a few days camping completely off the grid.
Favorite Social Media and why: Love me some Jerry of the Day and Kook Slams. Gabriel Gundacker is also an endless source of hilarity.
What one song is on your playlist that are you ashamed to tell your best friend:
That would have to be the 1983 Grammy-nominated hit "It's Raining Men" from The Weather Girls.
Is it catchy as hell? Yes.
Is it fun to dance to? Yes.
But should I be *ashamed* it's on my playlist? Again, yes.
