Donor Spotlight: Tracy Dodd

Sometimes the most meaningful connections begin in unexpected places.

For longtime Music in Place supporter Tracy Dodd, it all started with an online game of Words With Friends. Through a virtual friendship with founder Rodman Marymor, Tracy was introduced to Music in Place in its earliest days, during the uncertainty of the pandemic.

At the time, musicians had lost their ability to perform, and the world felt, in many ways, paused. When Music in Place emerged as a way to support artists through virtual performances, Tracy saw an opportunity to help in a direct and meaningful way.

“It just felt like something I could support,” she shared. “A way to help musicians when they couldn’t work and to know exactly where the support was going.”

Based in Wisconsin and working in healthcare at the time, Tracy witnessed firsthand the challenges and uncertainty of that period. Even though Music in Place was located in California, their support for musicians became not only a way to give back, but also a way to stay connected to music, to people, and to something positive during a difficult time.

“I was amazed that we had such a strong supporter from such a distance,” says Rodman Marymor, “but why not? During the pandemic when we were all ‘in place’ day after day, geographical borders seemed to fade, and the Internet brought us all together.”

What began as a simple act of support has grown into a lasting commitment. Tracy has been a steady monthly donor, providing steady, reliable support that helps sustain Music in Place’s programs year-round.

“Consistency matters,” she said. “It’s something you can count on. And I’d rather give while I’m here, help people now.”

As Music in Place has evolved beyond its pandemic roots into live concerts, community programming, and youth music education, Tracy’s belief in the mission has only deepened.

“The way the organization has grown is amazing,” she said. “It could have stopped after COVID, but instead it expanded, into concerts, into education, into something even bigger.”

Though she has yet to attend a public concert in Sonoma, Tracy and her husband John have experienced the Music in Place community firsthand with a house concert visit. They hope to attend events in the future…and of course, they have a standing invitation, with our gratitude and appreciation.

Looking ahead, Tracy imagines even broader possibilities.

“I think it would be incredible to see this grow nationally—or even internationally.”

We are deeply indebted to Tracy for her vision, her belief in our mission, her generosity, and the unique path that brought her into the Music in Place community.