Lynn Holladay
Sr. Vice President and COO
High Notes — your insider look at how your support brings music, education, and inspiration to life in our community.
From thousands of students experiencing live orchestral music, to district-wide collaborations and statewide arts advocacy, every story in this edition is possible because of you.
Thank you for helping us share the joy of music in ways that reach far beyond the stage.
Philharmonic Kids Concert
- 4000+ students, 43 schools, 6 school districts
- Four-time Olympic athlete Kara Winger co-emceed with Associate Conductor Thomas Wilson
The Colorado Springs Philharmonic teamed up with the U.S. Olympic & Paralympic Museum and welcomed thousands of enthusiastic elementary students to the Pikes Peak Center for an inspiring musical journey. Through the power of music and storytelling, students explored essential life lessons – goal setting, resilience, the support of friendship[ and finding calm before a challenge. Guiding them along the wat were out co-emcees, four-time Olympic athlete and javelin thrower Kara Winger, and our own Associate Conductor Thomas Wilson. Laughter and movement filled the hall as students eagerly participated in interactive exercises, learning through rhythm, motion, and melody.
Joye Levy
Center for Future Audiences
Launch Director
Joye Levy brings 30 years of arts education experience to CFA spanning classroom teaching to assistant principal and district leadership roles. For the past 20 years, she has also worked in nonprofit arts community outreach and education. As Education Director at the Ent Center for the Arts, she helped launch the new UCCS facility and continues to teach in the Visual and Performing Arts Department where she specializes in creating intergenerational community-based arts opportunities. As a professional theater director and community arts partner, Joye builds meaningful partnerships across Colorado Springs and the state’s arts sector.Â
District Night at the Philharmonic
- Connection with Harrison School District 2
- The Stallion Singers, Harrison High School Jazz Band, Sierra High School Drumline, and more
Solid Rock Community Development played a key part in bringing nearly 100 students from Harrison School District 2 to the Gershwin/Price concert for a night brimming with music, talent, and community spirit.
After the Philharmonic concert, the celebration contiued in Studio Bee for a soulful “Night Cap” performance that ended the evening with heart and harmony.
Two choir students watching the jazz band were asked “Does this feel like school on a Saturday?” One student’s response was “No way – BEST. FIELD TRIP. EVER!”
Music, Mentorship, and Meaningful Advocacy
- Philharmonic musicians lead inspiring student clinic
- Guest Artists in the community
- Speaking up for the arts at the State Capital
Center for future Audiences (CFA) has been actively engaging in educational and advocacy initiatives to promote arts education, CFA Director Joye Levy and District 11 Arts Facilitator Kim Kincaid, spoke at the Colorado Legislative Arts Caucus to advocate for a statewide Arts Education Week in 2026.
Guest Artist Max Hornung conducted a masterclass for cello members of the Colorado Springs Youth Symphony and Philharmonic musicians, Jason Thompson, Matthew Diekman, Ann Carpenter Rule, and Autumn Deppa led a clinic for string players from Liberty High School in Broomfield.Â
Guest Conductor Kalena Bovell visited Sierra High School’s Advanced Wind Ensemble, and a Q&A was led by Solid Rock Community Development’s Deborah Anderson with guest artist Clayton Stephenson as part of District Night at the Philharmonic.
