The 2025 Great American Community Band conductor is Kathleen Richards Ehlinger.

Ms. Ehlinger holds a B.A. in Music Ed from the Crane School of Music, Potsdam, NY, and a M.A. in Music Ed from George Mason University in Fairfax, Virginia studying trumpet and conducting under the tutelage of Lt. Colonel Gilbert Mitchell of the US Army Band, Colonel Arnold Gabriel, and Professor Anthony Maiello. She has guest-conducted many All-County Festivals throughout New York State and is a NYSSMA Adjudicator for both All-State and Large Ensemble performances. She performs on her trumpet throughout the region with the Tri-City Brass Quintet, Signature Brass, Capital Region Wind Ensemble and is a member of the BWC Jazz Orchestra. She has been the director of the Guilderland Town Band since 2000 and recently retired as Director of Bands at the Guilderland High School. Her groups have earned consistent Gold with Distinction honors at the New York State School Music Festivals.  She would like to thank her musical mentors for their continued support in the belief that music should not only be good but should touch the heart of every listener's soul.