Arts Leadership
Building Thriving Arts Organizations Through Vision, Strategy, and Community Engagement
For twenty years, I have helped lead and grow arts organizations through innovative programming, educational initiatives, audience development, strategic planning, and community partnerships. I work with orchestras, music schools, nonprofits, boards, and civic leaders to build sustainable organizations that inspire, educate, and connect communities.
Leadership Beyond the Podium
Successful arts organizations require more than artistic excellence. They require strong leadership, clear vision, sustainable business practices, engaged boards, meaningful community partnerships, and a compelling artistic identity.
As Artistic Director of Boulder Symphony and Symphony of the Rockies, and Founder of Boulder Symphony & Music Academy, I have spent my career building organizations that connect people through music, education, and shared cultural experiences. I enjoy helping fellow arts leaders and organizations navigate growth, strengthen impact, and position themselves for long-term success.
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I help arts organizations clarify their mission, strengthen operations, and develop sustainable plans for growth. Services may include strategic planning, organizational assessment, leadership transitions, program evaluation, and long-term visioning.
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Strong boards are essential to thriving organizations. I work with boards and leadership teams on governance best practices, board engagement, committee structures, strategic planning, recruitment, and organizational leadership.
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Drawing on twenty years of artistic leadership, I assist orchestras and arts organizations with season planning, artistic visioning, audience-focused programming, community engagement initiatives, and organizational development.
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Successful arts organizations require diverse and sustainable revenue streams. I provide guidance on donor cultivation, sponsorship development, fundraising events, grant positioning, case statements, and long-term development strategies.
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I help organizations create impactful educational programs and community partnerships that expand access to the arts. Areas of focus include academy development, school partnerships, educational concerts, mentorship programs, accessibility initiatives, and community engagement strategies.
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Building audiences requires more than marketing. I work with organizations to strengthen their brand, deepen patron engagement, grow attendance, improve messaging, and create meaningful connections with their communities.
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Available for keynote presentations, board retreats, conference sessions, strategic planning workshops, arts leadership discussions, audience development seminars, and professional development programs for arts organizations and educators.
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From behind-the-scenes planning to standing on stage as your emcee, I help organizations create fundraising events that inspire audiences and drive results. Services include event programming, paddle raise strategy, speaker coaching, script development, donor messaging, and professional event emceeing. Over the past two years, fundraising events I have helped plan and emceed have generated more than $300,000 in charitable support, helping organizations strengthen donor relationships and advance their missions.
Selected Experience
Founded Boulder Symphony & Music Academy, building a thriving arts and education organization that now serves thousands annually through performances, music education, community engagement, and outreach programs.
Architect of the modern Symphony of the Rockies, leading its rebranding, professionalization, board & staff development, orchestra growth, and expansion of artistic, educational, and community programming while nearly tripling the organization's annual budget.
Developed innovative educational, accessibility, and community engagement initiatives serving students, families, older adults, neurodiverse audiences, and underserved populations.
Fundraising events helped plan and emceed have generated more than $300,000 in charitable support over the past two years.
Extensive experience in strategic planning, board development, fundraising, audience growth, nonprofit leadership, and community partnership development.
Let's Connect
Strong arts organizations don't happen by accident. They are built through vision, collaboration, thoughtful leadership, and a commitment to serving their communities.
If you're looking for a trusted advisor, facilitator, speaker, or partner to help your organization navigate growth, strengthen impact, or bring a new idea to life, I'd love to connect.
Let's explore what's possible together.