Who We Are

Founded in 2005 Excellence in the Community is 501 C3 non profit organization based on the premise that Utah’s best musicians and dancers represent a powerful resource for bringing people together and enhancing communities. Excellence in the Community has four three areas of emphasis: monthly concerts at our home venue, the Gallivan Center in downtown Salt Lake City; the Mondays in the Park Concert series presented in collaboration with the Utah Arts Council; concerts in rural Utah; and arts presentations in area schools.

‘Bringing the Excellence in the Community concert series to the Gallivan Center is an important part of Salt Lake City’s vision for a vibrant downtown.

The series provides a platform for local excellence in the arts and uses the achievements of local artists to bring people together in our city’s lively cultural core. We welcome residents and visitors as they come to the Gallivan Center and experience Music to Match our Mountains.’

Salt Lake City Mayor, Ralph Becker.

Melinda Whiteley

Melinda’s contributions as a fund raiser and artist have been critical to our success thus far. In fact Excellence would not be here without her generosity and insight.

Jeff Whiteley

Is the founder and managing director of Excellence in the Community. The inspiration for the Excellence project grew out of his experiences as a street musician in Paris.

L. Will Larsen

Will acts as event manager, videographer, and media specialist.

Guy Standing

Guy produces the written programs which are part of our presentations at the Gallivan Center. He also sets up expositions of paintings and sculpture from Utah artists which have often graced the lobbies of our venues.

Gordon Hanks

Gordon is the founder and manager of the GAM Foundation, a leader in the Salt Lake City arts scene. Gordon has worked tirelessly for many years through the JazzSLC concert series to bring the best jazz musicians in the world to SLC, and to provide music education opportunities to area students.

Melinda Whiteley

Jeff Whiteley

L. Will Larsen

Guy Standing

Gordon Hanks

Marion Call

David Taylor

Lex Anderson

Dean Glanville

Mont Gates

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