Quentin Volk is the Executive Director of Eau Claire Jazz, Inc. (ECJI) and an active trumpet performer and educator based in St. Paul, Minnesota. In his Executive Director role, Quentin oversees the strategic and artistic vision for the Eau Claire Jazz Festival and its 22-venue Jazz Crawl—one of the largest community-integrated jazz events of its kind in the country. Each season, he leads a student-centric organizational model that pairs professional expectations with real-world learning, managing a team of university interns across marketing, operations, hospitality, sponsorship, and production. Under his leadership, ECJI has experienced significant growth in community partnerships, donor engagement, and scholarship impact, while fostering a culture rooted in mentorship, collaboration, and experiential learning.
Quentin believes that the success of an arts organization begins and ends with its people. He is passionate about building teams, empowering young leaders, and creating pipelines that connect students to professional opportunities. He regularly presents on nonprofit leadership, organizational culture, and festival-community synergy—advocating for the belief that jazz organizations thrive when they develop both artistic excellence and entrepreneurial strategy.
Alongside his administrative and leadership work, Quentin maintains a full-time performing career. Based in St. Paul, he works throughout the Twin Cities and Upper Midwest, performing in jazz ensembles, commercial bands, and nationally touring union Broadway productions.
Quentin is also an educator and mentor. He serves on the trumpet faculty at the Shell Lake Arts Center in Wisconsin and is a frequent clinician and adjudicator at jazz festivals nationwide, working closely with student musicians and emerging young professionals.
Originally from Fort Collins, Colorado, Quentin spent several years performing on national Broadway tours and cruise-ship contracts, including with the Disneyland All-American College Band, before completing his studies at the University of Wisconsin–Eau Claire. His experiences as a touring musician inform his approach as a leader, educator, and community builder—bridging the worlds of performance and arts administration.
Quentin lives in St. Paul with his wife, MarLee, their son, Ellis, and their dog, Rex. Whether on stage, in the boardroom, or working with young artists, he aims to create meaningful experiences that inspire connection, and lifelong enjoyment in jazz
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No Budget? No Problem! An Entrepreneurial Approach to Running a High School or College Jazz Program
Friday, January 9, 2026
9:00 AM - 9:50 AM CST
