Colorado Springs Youth Choir

As the artistic director and founder, I have learned to take on the sole responsibility of

• Assembling and chairing a board of directors (9 total) that meet monthly

• Meeting with members of the arts community in the city to gain direction and expertise

• Leading fundraising campaigns digitally on social media platforms

• Coordinating auditions, reaching out to a network of teachers, directors, and coordinators throughout Colorado Springs and surrounding areas

• Organizing community events (PopUp Choirs) that take place at the Meanwhile Block, using social media event planning tools

• Coordinating volunteers and participants in these community PopUp Choirs

• Directing the PopUp Choirs in musical excellence (learning the song, conducting and leading engaging warm-ups), saw a 37% growth from 1st to 2nd event.

• Casting vision for the future seasons for the development of a new arts organization that will benefit Colorado Springs as a whole

• Directing performances with members of the community in 3 nights of Madrigal Dinners, that included a 4 course meal, 3 hours of music (including full choir, organ, brass, recorder consort, dancers, harpsichord and community singing), costuming, rehearsals and budget management

• Preparing, managing, and leading a small group to New York City in June to sing at Carnegie Hall

Social Media

Instagram, Facebook

PopUp Choirs 

These community events were inspired by a group in New York City, that opens their doors to all singers and skill levels. After the excitement was shared from the board, I got to work selecting music that was accessible and fun. We started with an arrangement of "It's You I Like" from Mr. Rogers in October 2024. 

Responsibilities I take on when we host these events include:

• Casting vision for the event and managing volunteers

• Booking the venue

• Finding sponsors 

• Updating all of our digital platforms: website, popupchoir website, social media platforms, Ludus (our ticketing platform), and creating flyers 

• Creating new events for people to share in their social media

• Selecting music that is fun and appropriate for the event

• Reaching out repeatedly to solid singers in to come be a leader at the event to help those less confident

• Emailing participants who have reserved a spot their music, learning tracks and instructions for the evening

• Making copies, getting to the venue early and staying late

• Directing the PopUp Choirs (learning the song, conducting and leading engaging warm-ups), saw a 37% growth from 1st to 2nd event.

• Posting on social media afterward

Website to direct traffic to register for PopUps

https://cspopupchoir.com/

Tickets for events on Ludus (example for our Feb PopUp event): https://csyouthchoir.ludus.com/index.php?show_id=200474720

Facebook events and postings help draw attention and bring traffic: https://www.facebook.com/csyouthchoir/

Instagram: @csyouthchoir

Madrigal Dinner

In December of 2024 I was the director of the Madrigal dinner at First Congregational Church in Colorado Springs. 

This event is 3 nights of 3 hours of music, feasting and Christmas celebration.  CSYC was featured in this production, but I led the entirety of it.

Notable changes I brought to the table for this production:

• Streamlined the script to cut out anything unnecessary 

• The addition of the Youth Choir added a younger energy that was much needed

• Changed up the music to give everything a "freshen up"

• Utilized a brass quintet, historic organ, and percussion for a grand opening choral piece.

• Coordinated with the brass quintet, recorder consort, harpischord player, dancers, costuming department, script team, catering team, decorating team, and church facility

• Directed rehearsals for several months that were in combination with FCUCC's singers and CSYC. 

• Created and followed our given budget

Preparation for Carnegie Hall and NYC in June 2025

CSYC has been invited to sing Mozart's Vesperae Solennes de Confessore in June! 

I was contacted by a former professor and director of mine and he said he would trust me to bring any of my choristers. A great honor!

In preparation for this trip I have:

• Advertised across town to high school choir directors, voice coaches, on social media and more

• Made posters and posts (seen below)

• Been in contact in meetings with Mid-America Productions over the last 6 months

• Been in contact with parents, leading meetings about the plans, and our plan for safety and fun

• Coordinated payment schedules and fundraising ideas with participants

• Received payments and booked our Airbnb and airfare

• Begun teaching the music and created a calendar for other singers who are joining us, but are not a part of CSYC