Linda Bassick is a Burlington-based musician and early educator. Originally from the Boston area in Massachusetts, Bassick has been playing music since she was eight years old and singing since she was born. She plays guitar, as well as trombone, flute, and piano. While the music scene is large in Boston, Bassick feels that nothing compares to the support of Burlington’s community. It’s welcoming and collaborative, giving unique opportunities to people looking to expand their talents and get involved. “Everyone plays with everybody else,” said Bassick. “It's a community. It's great, it's not ..read more

A meeting of the Big Heavy World board of directors is scheduled to be held via Zoom on Thursday, January 25, 6pm ET. An opportunity for public comment precedes the agenda. Contact Big Heavy World for information. Photo by Benjamin Child via Unsplash ..read more

Big Heavy World is pleased to announce it has been approved by the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) for a Grants for Arts Projects award of $10,000. This grant will support the organization’s work to preserve and promote original Vermont-made music, strengthening the music community and economy. In total, the NEA will award 958 Grants for Arts Projects awards totaling more than $27.1 million that were announced as part of its first round of fiscal year 2024 grants. “The NEA is delighted to announce this grant to Big Heavy World, which is helping contribute to the strength and well-being ..read more

Kira Schaefer is a Public Communications major at the University of Vermont and is from Westchester, New York. She is interested in pursuing a career in law focusing on copyright and music production. She is extremely excited to be a part of the Big Heavy World team and support local Vermont artists. Outside of law, Kira is part of the ballet team at UVM and loves to write ..read more

America250 is a national organization with the mission to include as many Americans as possible from across the country in the Semiquincentennial commemoration, coming up on July 4, 2026. The Semiquincentennial is the 250th anniversary of the establishment of the country. In Vermont a commission was established to help commemorate the 250th, too, in great part by encouraging Vermonters to learn more about the history of America’s democratic experiment and bring their own improvements to it (more on Vermont’s plans to come!) In July, America250 kicked off an effort called America’s Invitation ..read more

Big Heavy World has received a Vermont Arts Council Arts Operating Grant to support our work of preserving and promoting Vermont-made music. To all involved in providing the resources to create this fund and in the decision-making to determine grantees, thank you! The press release below was shared by the VAC on September 5, 2023. MONTPELIER—The Vermont Arts Council announces grant awards to 79 Vermont organizations—from arts nonprofits to arts schools, museums to makerspaces, from libraries to community art centers, and more. All are helping to expand arts access through specific programs or ..read more

Keagan Lafferty is a student at University of Vermont studying Music Technology and Music Business, as well as Film and English. She is a singer/songwriter and producer, and lead singer and manager of Burlington band Cows on the Moon. She is also a passionate listener and supporter of the local music scene and a music journalist, reporting on local music and cultural happenings for UVM’s magazine, the Vermont Cynic. Keagan is involved at Big Heavy World in many projects including community engagement, youth programs, social media, and outreach ..read more

Kyra is an undergraduate student at UVM double majoring in Philosophy and Anthropology, with a special interest in archival science. At Big Heavy World, Kyra is passionate about The Tiny Museum of Vermont Music History and continues to learn and unfold the stories that each artifact gets to tell. In her free time, Kyra likes to forage through old CDs, write songs, and knit ..read more

Ella Stadecker is a leader in our high school program. She is currently at Burlington High School and her favorite class is World History. She is passionate about creating spaces for all-ages music events. And believes in the power of music to bring people together and make our city a safer place. When she's not at school you can find her in the dance studio at Unity Dance Complex or spending time with her friends and little sister ..read more

Vermont musicians share messages of hope and resilience in the aftermath of Vermont’s 2023 flooding ..read more