We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Alexis Shambley. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Alexis below.
Alexis , appreciate you joining us today. Can you recount a story of an unexpected problem you’ve faced along the way?
The pandemic affected the arts (and every field) in huge and lasting ways. For myself, I graduated from the CCM/CSO Diversity Fellowship Program in the spring of 2020. There were no auditions, no performance opportunities, not even music to be made in person with friends. I maintained my practice, of course, but I also took that time as an opportunity to expand my skillset and branch out into Arts Administration.
That fall, I took a Business Management & Development Internship with Boulanger Initiative, an organization that advocates for gender equity in classical music. During this time, I was also working part-time (and virtually) as a Teaching Artist at MYCincinnati, an El-Sistema inspired after school music program in Price Hill. It may seem obvious, but that first year in the pandemic really changed my trajectory, and opened my mind up to the fact that you can be good at, and even fulfilled by more than one thing.
As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?
I am a classically trained violinist, arts administrator, and music educator based in Cincinnati, OH. I’ve been playing the violin for over 2 decades and have earned my Bachelors and Masters in violin performance from UC College-Conservatory of Music as a Diversity Fellow with the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra.
Currently, I work in marketing at the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra. I feel my extensive background in performance equips me with the knowledge, perspective, and passion to be effective in the field and I hope to play an active role in moving orchestras towards a more inclusive and accessible future.
My past administrative roles include working as the Community Events & Engagement Coordinator for MYCincinnati/Price Hill Will and a Business Management & Development Internship with Boulanger Initiative.
In 2019, I became a founding member, and now an Associate Director and Secretary of New Downbeat, a new music collective whose mission is present accessible, engaging, and diverse new music performances featuring women musicians and living composers.
In addition to performance and arts administration, I am very passionate about music education. I have gained teaching experience as a clinician for Cincinnati Public Schools, working as a strings teacher for the Ben Carlson-Berne Scholarship Fund, and as teaching artist for MYCincinnati. I’ve instructed beginner, intermediate, and advanced students/ensembles as well as an adult community orchestra. I am actively pursing Suzuki certification and am eager to continue expanding my private studio here in Cincinnati!
Is there a particular goal or mission driving your creative journey?
As a woman of color, I am committed to diversifying the future of classical music through performance, teaching and advocating for music education in Black and Latino communities. Whether a beginner or professional, exploring and playing new music, music written by women, and music written by BIPOC are all necessary for the development of well rounded musicians and people.
Can you tell us about a time you’ve had to pivot?
Making the pivot from primarily a freelance performer to a full-time arts administration career was the biggest shift for me. I’m still working to find that balance of what fulfills me creatively and what I want for my future but I do know it will always be centered around music and the arts, it’s a true passion of mine.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://alexisshambley.com/
- Other: Email: [email protected]