Confessions of An Executive Director

Hey there, fellow music enthusiasts! I’m Lindsey Nova, executive director at Three Rivers Young Peoples Orchestras (TRYPO), and let me tell you, it’s been quite the exhilarating journey to get to where I am.  

So why arts administration, you ask? Well, first I’ll describe a young Lindsey. My least favorite thing in the world was being bored (still my least favorite thing). I was a big nerd (still am a big nerd) and loved school and learning. I liked to have my fingers in every AP class, after school programs, musical groups, like a lot of our TRYPO musicians. You name it, I wanted to do it. So, of course, I had to do a double degree in college because one wasn’t going to be enough. (Ok, I first thought I was going to do four degrees…) 

And I LOVED college. But at least once a month, I would find myself dreading graduation because I just didn’t see myself playing in an orchestra. I didn’t have the same dreams as my classmates of winning a big job.  

So what did I do next? I moved to France of course! After traversing the cobblestone streets of France – oui, oui, I did teach French students the nuances of parlez-vous anglais – I found myself at a crossroads. What do I do next? Enter arts administration! I got a job working in operations at the Utah Symphony | Utah Opera, and for the first time, I felt like all the parts of my brain were firing together in unison. The musician part of my brain, the nerd, the math-lover, the essay writer… everything suddenly everything started to make sense.  

Within a matter of months, I became the Director of Operations at Utah Symphony | Utah Opera, and had the opportunity to work with the illustrious David Green. David wasn’t just any supervisor – he was a maestro of adaptability, teaching me to prioritize relationships and not tasks, and to embrace change with open arms. He would give me hypothetical scenarios and ask me to figure out what I would do and we would work out solutions together. When I eventually left for Pittsburgh, David bestowed upon me a “diploma” from the (absolutely legitimate) David Green School of Management which still sits on my desk today. 

Fast forward to my current role at TRYPO, where agility reigns supreme. One of our greatest strengths is that TRYPO is always moving, changing, and growing. It’s simultaneously one of our greatest challenges because it means we’re always pivoting! (That definitely came in handy during COVID…) I’ve witnessed our organization evolve into a hub of creativity and community spirit.

From expanding our programs to forging new partnerships at the speed of allegro, every day is an adventure filled with excitement and a dash of caffeine-induced adrenaline. 

There’s a palpable magic in what I do. It’s the spark of inspiration in a young musician’s eyes as they conquer a challenging piece. It’s the pulse of excitement as our orchestras take the stage, with this next generation forming a critical relationship with music. Reconnecting with an alum who was transformed by their time in TRYPO.  

There is also magic in… spreadsheets. (Told you I was a nerd.) It’s the satisfaction of seeing a meticulously crafted budget come to life, each line item a testament to our commitment to progress and accountability to our families and donors. (Yes, occasionally my husband is required to ooh and aahh at a spreadsheet I’m particularly proud of.) 

It’s also the thrill of securing a significant grant that propels our vision forward. Or connecting donors with causes close to their hearts, knowing that their support fuels the engine of innovation.

There’s an electric energy in the air as patrons gather to celebrate the magic of music and invest in the future of our young musicians. 

And probably one of my favorite things about what I do… developing our team. The folks who make TRYPO what it is are AMAZING. We are truly family in every sense of the word and I absolutely love each and every one of them. They care about our students and our mission so deeply while each bringing such individual talents and skills to the table.  

And that’s basically what my day-to-day is like! From budgets to grants to team meetings to rehearsals to concerts, it’s never the same and always looking forward to the next awesome TRYPOtastic thing.   

So here’s to agility and creativity, to never being bored, to the thrill of progress and the joy of embracing change. Here’s to navigating the dynamic landscape of arts administration with grace and enthusiasm, knowing that each step forward brings us closer to our shared vision. 

I hope this has inspired a few future arts administrators because we need more talented, passionate music nerds to pave the way for this art form we love… but I have to wrap this up because I have a pickleball game to get to!