December 2022
Dear Friend of Colorado Springs Conservatory,
We hope this letter finds you and your loved ones happy, healthy, and thriving. It has been an incredible year at the Colorado Springs Conservatory! With record attendance in our core programs and summer camps, prosperous relationships with our community partners such as Harrison School District 2, over 80 public and private performances, and daily success stories for our current students and alumni, there is much to celebrate.
It has also been an invigorating time of change and rejuvenation. As I write this letter, I am celebrating four months as the new CEO. I am incredibly thankful and constantly inspired by my colleagues, board members, mentors, and especially the students. It is my sincere honor to set the path for this new chapter of the brilliant idea that is the Colorado Springs Conservatory.
We believe the study of the performing arts is the study of the human condition. The work that we do goes far beyond learning acting fundamentals, dance steps and music theory. At the Colorado Springs Conservatory, we strive to create an inclusive, supportive, and robust learning environment for our students to truly discover who they are as human beings. Now more than ever, it is of the utmost importance that we continue to provide a safe space for our students to gain confidence, find their own voice, cultivate their artistic instincts, and fulfill their personal dreams.
With that in mind, here’s what we have in store of our students and community:
- We will be returning to larger scale events, starting with our Holiday Extravaganz! at Ent Center for the Arts on December 17. There will be two performances at 2pm and 7pm. We sincerely hope you will join us as we “Celebrate our Past and Share a Glimpse into our Future!”
- Using our already established and beautiful relationship with District 2 as a template, we hope to bring our curriculum to all school districts in the Pikes Peak Region. In the few months I’ve been here, we have already begun working with District 11, hosting two incredibly successful events with many more to come!
- Access will be a priority. We know that the education we provide saves lives. Many young people do not feel accepted in any other space that they inhabit. It is crucial that any student who wants to be here can be here.
- We are taking a serious look at every single class that we offer to make sure that we are addressing the current needs of our students. Our new curriculum will be engaging, efficient, excellent, and fun as we look for ways to engage all students – from the curious to the serious.
- Theatre will be back with a vengeance! More classes, more performances, more opportunities.
- Summer programs will be re-energized with more rigorous classes co-mingling with classes for students who are just dipping their toes in the water of arts education.
- We will continue to focus our energies on sustainable and secure financial strategies to ensure that Colorado Springs Conservatory has the infrastructure to inspire students for many years to come.
We have big plans as we move forward, and we need your help to get us there! Currently, tuition covers less than half of our operating budget. The rest comes from sponsorships, grants, foundations, and people like YOU that see the value of the important work that we do. As you are thinking about your end of the year giving, please consider supporting the Conservatory. Your donation will ensure that we can provide the highest quality education, performance opportunities, and social/emotional support for the young people of our community.
It is an exciting time to be at Colorado Springs Conservatory. We are so appreciative of your support, commitment, and love for all that we do. We can see the future, and it is BRIGHT!
Kind Regards,
Nathan Halvorson Chief Executive Officer
Colorado Springs Conservatory Board of Directors
Executive Committee
Michelle Talarico | Nicola Roark | Greg Luczak
Members at Large
Donna Nelson | CJ Moore | Ron Fitch | Rodney Gullatte | Christine O’Brien | Josh Franklin
