Today we’d like to introduce you to Susan Lape.
Thanks for sharing your story with us Susan. So, let’s start at the beginning and we can move on from there.
It’s hard to think of a time before music was important in my life. I grew up in Lake Bluff, and every summer we would sit on the lawn at Ravinia which is where I fell in love with the Chicago Symphony Orchestra and the magic of live performance. I studied music at Stanford University and contemporary English opera at the University of Oxford.
I shifted my focus from academia to arts administration when I realized how much I love producing cultural experiences that stir the souls of the audience. I’m beyond delighted to be working with the amazing CYSO family now. We have an obligation to serve not only the students and families in our on-site and neighborhood programs but also the greater Chicago community.
This is what motivates me every day– we have an opportunity to make Chicago a more inclusive, creative, empathetic place and we are always working toward that goal.
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
Non-profit work is incredibly rewarding, but it is not without its challenges. We are constantly working to create exceptional experiences with limited resources and a small team. This forces us to be creative, to solve complex problems daily, and to continually revise and perfect how we work together and how we fulfill our mission.
Alright – so let’s talk business. Tell us about Chicago Youth Symphony Orchestras – what should we know?
There are a lot of amazing youth music programs in Chicago, but what I think sets us apart at CYSO is bringing students together from across the region to make music together in some of the highest quality ensembles in the country. CYSO has been around for more than 70 years and we currently serve more than 600 students starting at 6 years old all the way through 18.
We offer on-site ensembles including four full orchestras, three strings-only orchestras, jazz orchestra, multiple steelpan orchestras, and enrichment opportunities like chamber music, masterclasses, and music composition seminar. Our students are learning music at the highest levels, as well as skills that are important to leading productive and fulfilling lives outside of music, like self-confidence, discipline, and how to work as part of a diverse team.
We’re also very proud of our Community Engagement Programs, which will support instrumental music training and music access for 8,500 young people across the city this year. We work with students in underserved neighborhoods around Chicago through our Ambassador Program, which brings students from our on-site orchestras into CPS schools to foster peer-to-peer learning and mentoring. We also run after-school ensembles, present free community and education concerts, and partner with organizations like CPS and The People’s Music School.
Our alumni go on to play in the world’s finest orchestras and ensembles and are also found working as teachers, community leaders, doctors, lawyers, and business professionals. Whether or not a graduate continues to study music after their time in CYSO, they leave with skills that will serve them for life and a deep appreciation for the arts.
Essentially, we are investing in the future of music and the next generation of leaders. It’s my job as Executive Director to make sure we are moving forward in a way which best serves our students and our community. This means working with our board, funders, artistic and administrative staff to understand how we adapt to reflect the ever-evolving needs of young musicians and their families.
Any shoutouts? Who else deserves credit in this story – who has played a meaningful role?
One of the things I love most about non-profit work and specifically arts administration is the tremendously collaborative and supportive network of industry colleagues I can call on for advice. Since our work is mission-based, we treat each other not as competitors but as trusted peers and confidantes. I feel I’m a better strategic thinker and manager due to the generous and regular feedback from mentors in the arts field.
I am also so grateful for my team at CYSO– we have twelve administrative staff members, eleven artistic staff members, and a host of other coaches, board members, trustees, and donors who make our work possible. It’s an honor to work alongside such an amazing group of people.
Pricing:
- Join us for CYSO’s annual Gala: West Side Story on February 10, 2017, at the Four Seasons Chicago, Tickets $400.0
Contact Info:
- Website: www.cyso.org
- Phone: 312-939-2207
- Email: info@cyso.org
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ChicagoYouthSymphonyOrchestras/
Image Credit:
Elliott Mandel, Ed Spinelli, Derek Fitting
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