Colorado Springs Conservatory is privileged to be guided in its mission by outstanding community leaders who recognize the importance of arts immersion and musical performance. They are selflessly dedicated to expanding the positive impact of the Conservatory throughout Colorado Springs and the Pikes Peak region.
This month, we’d like to shine our spotlight on Community & Leader Advocate and Conservatory Board Member at Large, CJ Moore. CJ has served the Conservatory as a board member for over 18 years and continues to be one of our most cherished advocates for youth performance and music education.
CJ, when and how did you become involved with the Colorado Springs Conservatory?
My late husband, Mike, was first – he met Linda (Founder Linda Weise) at a luncheon and was determined to help find the Conservatory a better place to live.
Unfortunately, he died before that could be accomplished. I took over and began to work with Linda. That was in 2002, and I have been there ever since. I was a member of the very first official board of directors. When you experience what the Conservatory does, you are hooked for life.
When did you become a board member, and what led you to serve the Conservatory?
I believe that the first board was established in about 2004. I became a member and have served ever since. I was chair for three terms and was named Board Chair Emerita in 2019. It is one of the best boards I have ever been a part of. The diversity of occupations and people has been amazing and all us bound together by the common thread of the Conservatory kids! When you see what the Conservatory does for kids, you are all in. Most of our students do not go on to work in music but they are grounded by a wonderful work ethic and an appreciation of what arts can do for everyone.
Please tell us a bit about your professional background.
I was an Army spouse for almost 25 years. My late husband and our family moved about 21 times during that period. I have held all sorts of jobs, but the one unifying one was as a reporter and in public affairs. I was a healthcare researcher, reporter and writer for professional healthcare publications in Washington DC and then did odd reporting jobs when we moved back to Colorado Springs.
I was hired in 1997 by Kaiser Permanente to be their public affairs director for Southern Colorado and worked there for 21 years.
Which other Colorado/Colorado Springs organizations are near-and-dear to your heart?
I am currently on the boards of the Colorado Springs Fine Arts Center at Colorado College, the Pikes Peak Community College Foundation, the Police Foundation, Colorado Springs Leadership Institute and of course, the Colorado Springs Conservatory. I have served on many boards and committees and am a huge advocate for the city of Colorado Springs.
Are you originally from Colorado/Colorado Springs?
I am originally from a small town in Alabama, with a degree from Auburn University. We came to Colorado Springs in 1985 as a military family stationed at Ft. Carson. We fell in love with the city and the area, so when the time to retire came, it was obvious that Colorado Springs would become our permanent home in 1994.
Do you personally come from a musical/performance background?
I do not come from a professional music background but was a band and orchestra member in both high school and at Auburn University. I am a music lover and I love musical theater. I care about what music and the arts do for all of us, and especially for our children. It brings an appreciation of so many things and can so broaden horizons and make us better people.
In your experience, what has been the impact of the Colorado Springs Conservatory on the Colorado Springs community and the youth of the Pikes Peak region?
The positive impact of the Conservatory on the kids who go there, as well as the community as a whole, is so wonderful. It shows us all that the power of music and the arts contributes to making better citizens and even better students. We have discovered so many kids with gifts that might have gone unrecognized but for their attendance at the Conservatory. And that influence spreads… not only through the students, but through their friends and their parents and their friends.
Why do you believe music and performance education is important?
It has always been my belief that STEM should be STEAM – by adding in that “A” for the Arts, you have better-rounded people and, after all, music is nothing but math with heart. Performance education teaches the value of teamwork and eliminates that fear of public speaking. It can instill a confidence that no other medium can. And that will stand our students in good stead for the rest of their lives.
Do you have any favorite events that the Conservatory hosts?
I love all their performances. I especially enjoy Jazz Nites, any of their live performances and love it anytime the Conservatory students or mentors play at local events. I love to pop in at the school and just listen in as the mentors are teaching and watch the kids as they learn.
What are your favorite things to do/places to visit in and around Colorado Springs?
I love almost everything about this city… Really good restaurants, a wonderful Philharmonic, the Theater at the Fine Arts Center and the Ent Center for the Arts at UCCS, all the fabulous outdoor activities and the wonderful people. We have some amazing events… the Balloon Festival, Territory Days, First Fridays for Art, summer farmer’s markets, history at the Pioneers Museum, the Olympic and ParaOlympic Museum, the new Summit House on Pikes Peak, Pikes Peak itself, the Air Force Academy and so, so much more. I love it all!
What is your vision for the future of the Colorado Springs arts/performance/music scenes?
It will do nothing but grow and get better and better.
What is CJ Moore’s road trip playlist?
- On the Road Again – Willie Nelson (all our trips begin with this)
- Anything by Pentatonix
- Anything by Ed Sheeran
- The Commodores
- The Temptations
- 60s rock
- Queen
- Lots of good classical stuff
- And of course, Musical Theater.
