Deborah De La Torre (BA, MBA) has been accepted into the Ph.D. program at Indiana University to pursue a doctorate in ethnomusicology, beginning fall 2021. Her research interests include Latinx women music scholars, researchers and pedagogues; the intersection of Latin American culture and Arabic music; postcolonial studies; critical pedagogy; sexism and classism.

Affiliate Faculty. Taught Music Theory, Piano Skills, Aural Skills.

Represented and advanced the organization’s goals by developing creative strategic relationships with regional businesses to increase and strengthen community partnership opportunities. Responsible for all development duties including identifying potential funders, writing grants, creating the organization’s development platform for current and potential donors including alumni, networking and report preparation. Developed the vision for, grew and managed all aspects of fundraising events such as the Painted Violin Fundraiser Art Tour (significantly increased fundraiser value) and the annual Painted Violin Gala (significantly increased fundraiser value). Served as Silent Auction Manager, recruited and managed volunteers for all events and office duties year-round. Served as Front-of-House manager at all concerts, handle ticketing, preparation and maintenance of reports regarding ticket sales. Developed vision for, created all content, and managed all phases of the production of the nationally focused annual season program book. Developed and carried out sales strategies to increase client list and revenue (exceeded last year’s goal by 50%). Wrote and produced the organization’s newsletter, created and managed website content, created and managed the development of all marketing materials in coordination with graphic designer. Developed and managed outreach programs. Oversaw and managed the Free Ticket program in partnership with schools, nonprofit organizations, senior homes and underserved populations.

Provided leadership in the area of strategic and financial planning to establish the organization as a stand-alone organization from its current start-up project status. Developed the business plan, created chart of accounts and bookkeeping system, created budgets for operations and for grant applications, planned for merchandising and program revenue streams, laid the groundwork for beginning a capital campaign for the organization’s future resource center. Created the operations plan and together with the executive committee rewrote bylaws for the organization to reflect its larger goals.

Founder/Executive Director of the Tulipanes Latino/a Art & Film Festival, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to increasing awareness and support of Latino/a cultural arts. The free festival began in the year 2000 with over 50 events held in 6 locations and increased to over 100 events in 10 locations, reaching 3,000 people. https://digitalholland.org/heritage/tulipanes-latino-art-and-film-festival/