As Fort Collins Symphony’s newest staff member, Kate Henry is enthusiastic about serving in the new role of Community Engagement and Education Director. Kate brings a decade of experience working as an arts administrator for different performing arts organizations and professional orchestras.
As a native of Illinois, Kate earned both a BA and MA in Flute performance from Eastern Illinois University, under Dr. Rebecca Johnson. As her career has taken her to different parts of the country, she feels that the continuation of performing arts organizations must include depth within the community it resides. She truly believes the power of music can have a creative social impact and is thrilled to dive into the Fort Collins and Northern Colorado areas as a newcomer.
Previously she worked in a variety of performing arts disciplines and Centers, at first, in her home state of Illinois at Krannert Center for the Performing Arts on the campus of the University of Illinois Champaign-Urbana. She worked with touring artists such as Renée Fleming, Black Violin, Siti Theatre Company, Mark Morris Dance Company, Chicago Symphony Orchestra, Alvin Ailey Dance Company and helped produce the Ellnora Guitar Festival. In addition to the professional touring groups, she worked with student ensembles and most notably served on the Community Engagement committee that did several research projects regarding the impact of relationship building and commitment to the community through arts organizations focusing within micro-urban areas such as Champaign-Urbana. Continuing her arts administration journey, Kate moved to Michigan, where she had been employed for over 5 summers working on staff at Blue Lake Fine Arts Camp. She accepted the position Director of International Staff and Exchange. Through her work at the Camp, as a leader of this international arts program, she worked with students from across the U.S. as well as abroad to create cultural understanding and exchange through all arts disciplines, music, dance, theatre and art. She had ensembles touring in both the U.S. and Europe, while staying and organizing host families to accommodate the youth that participated. This program demonstrates the impact arts can have on communities worldwide.
Most recently, she served as the Operations Manager for Utah Symphony | Utah Opera, where she spent her time overseeing and producing all productions, performances, and events for the company. She helped produce the Deer Valley Music Festival in Park City, Utah and partnered with her education colleagues to bring the orchestra to all the schools in Utah on a three-year rotation.
Outside of the career she is so passionate about, Kate enjoys experimenting in the kitchen, being outside in any way with her husband, new son and three dogs, and traveling as much as possible!
