Curriculum Vitae
ACCOMPLISHMENTS
At Fort Hill Performing Arts Centre:
Managed the organization from venue renovation through opening for operations.
Researched, selected, and deployed all functional systems and software applications for operations including Financial Accounting and Bookkeeping Systems, Donor CRM, Box Office and Ticketing, I.T. System, Payroll Services, and Merchant Services.
Authored the General Policies and Financial Policies Manuals, Operations Procedures, Emergency & Disaster Procedures, Employee Handbook, and Volunteer Handbook which were reviewed and adopted by the Board of Directors.
Authored the FHPAC Board Orientation & Training Manual and co-presented the organizations first Board Retreat to welcome new Board members and grow the Board’s capacity in governance and fundraising.
Guided the organization during the COVID-19 pandemic. Positioned FHPAC to be the first business in our area to receive first round PPP funding. Worked with our insurance company to file a successful claim for revenue lost due to the COVID closure. Coordinated a special COVID appeal to select major donors to protect their investment.
Headed organization-wide campaign in support of the Save Our Stages initiative (realized as the Shuttered Venue Operators Grant program).
Initiated and cultivated ongoing collaborative relationships with our partner organizations – Rochester City Ballet, Rochester Oratorio Society, Rochester Music Hall of Fame, ChamberFest Canandaigua, Finger Lakes Concert Band, Finger Lakes Symphony, Finger Lakes Opera, and Bristol Valley Theatre.
Structured post-COVID reopening programming to reflect the organization’s mission, vision, and values.
Planed the Nomad Festival of World Music and Dance to be realized (COVID willing) in 2023/24
At Amherst Ballet:
Stabilized the 45-year old 501(c)3 performing arts organization that was on a downward trajectory in performance attendance and student participation and suffering out of control and unbudgeted spending.
Revitalized the organization by reassessing its relationship to the larger community and adjusting performances, collaborations, classes, and outreach efforts to better meet the needs of the organization and its patrons.
Improved the profitability of all performances runs by increasing the number of performances, moving performances to a higher profile venue, and implementing professional production practices thereby controlling production costs and increasing attendance.
Improved the quality the performances for both the audience and the artists by programming innovative and challenging new works as well as standards from the classical canon.
Initiated successful and repeat collaborations with other artists (choreographers, composers, musicians, and visual artists) and local arts organizations.
Conceived, launched, and implemented the "Ballet for All!" Initiative; an outreach program designed to encourage participation in ballet classes by individuals of all ages and skill levels. This program included master classes for pre-professional students, adult dancers at all levels, and inner-city under-served youth.
Increased adult student participation from approximately 5 participants to over 100 participants over the span of 3-years.
Implemented sound budgetary oversight and bookkeeping practices over all aspects of the organization, implemented the organizations first credit card acceptance schema, and transitioned the school to on-line and computer-based enrolment, payment, and records tracking.
Devised and implemented the organizations first data collection and analysis schema to facilitate quantitatively informed decision making.
Led the organizations first corporate giving/sponsorship campaign.
As a result of the improved financial position (after two years) was able to refinance the mortgage on the building to ease cash flow constraints.
WORK HISTORY
Currently: Executive Director, Fort Hill Performing Arts Centre, Canandaigua, NY
2017-2018: Company/Production Manager, Rochester City Ballet, Rochester, NY
2012-2017: Executive/Artistic Director, Amherst Ballet, Amherst, MA
2008-2012: Senior Instructor of Classical Ballet, Amherst Ballet, Amherst, MA
1998-2008: Freelance Performer, Instructor, Theatrical Technician, and Production Management
Dancer:
Ballet Theatre Internationale, Santa Fe, NM - First Soloist
Solstice Dance Theatre, Las Vegas, NV - Company member
American Dance Company, Las Vegas, NV - Principal Dancer
Nevada Ballet Theatre, Las Vegas, NV - Guest Artist
Featured Ballerina for various corporate events
Instructor:
Kravenko Dance Academy/Kravenko Youth Ballet, Las Vegas, NV
Backstage Dance Studio, Las Vegas, NV
Fern Adair Conservatory of the Arts, Las Vegas, NV
ABC Dance Studio, Las Vegas, NV
Academy of the Nevada Ballet Theatre, Las Vegas, NV
Ballet Mistress/Company Teacher:
Ballet Theatre Internationale, Santa Fe, NM
American Dance Company, Las Vegas, NV
Theatrical Technician:
I.A.T.S.E. Local 720 - Electrician, Spot Op, Video Wall Engineer, Video Wall Operator
The Orleans Hotel and Casino, Las Vegas NV - Assistant Lighting Supervisor
Signed, Sealed, Delivered, Las Vegas, NV - Lighting Specialist
Production Management:
Encore Productions, Las Vegas, NV - Repeat Corporate Clients included Toshiba, Kimberly Clark, IBM
Events include National Association of Broadcasters (NAB), International Consumer Electronics Show (CES)
1996-1997: Dino Kartsonakis Show/Rendy Lovelady Tour Production, Branson, MO - Featured Ballerina
Prior to 1996: Company Dancer, Freelance Guest Artist, and Instructor
Company Dancer:
Louisville Ballet, Louisville, KY - Corps de ballet, Demi-soloist
Dance Theatre of Long Island, Port Washington, NY - Company member
Ramzi El-Edlibi Dance Company, New York, NY - Principal Dancer
Afterimages Dance Company, Louisville, KY - Principal Dancer
Guest Artist Engagements: Connecticut Ballet, Sayville Ballet, Albano Ballet, Fort. Worth Opera, National Grand Opera, Kentucky Opera, Thoughtforms Dance Company, American Music Festival
Instructor:
Ramzi El-Edlibi Dance Company - Men's Ballet Instructor
Afterimages Dance Company - Company Teacher, Co-Director ADC II
Afterimages School - Director and Principal Instructor of Classical Ballet
EDUCATION
Interlochen Arts Academy, Interlochen, MI - Graduate, Fine Arts Award in Dance
New York Conservatory, New York, NY - Trained with Vladimir Davidov, Hector Zaraspe, Ali Pourfarroukh, Sallie Wilson, Nicholas Orloff, Igor Youskevitch (Pas de Deux), Ramzi El-Edlibi (Middle Eastern)
University of Louisville, Louisville, KY - B.A. Humanities
ADDITIONAL EDUCATION
DeVos Institute Arts Management Course On-Line
Vaganova Teacher Training Workshop, Berlin, Germany
Bournonville Workshop with Karina Elver of the Royal Danish Ballet
Independent Study of the Vaganova Syllabus with Monika Rostomian, Graduate of the Vaganova Choreographic Institute Teacher Training Program
ADDITIONAL SKILLS
Windows OS, MS Word, Excel, Outlook, OneNote
QuickBooks, Donor CRM Database, and Ticketing Systems proficient
Audio Editing
Video Recording and Editing
Costume Construction
Technical Theatre including Lighting Design, Light Board operation, Spotlight operation, Video Wall programming and playback
General production management