In This Story
Meet 2021 Arts Management alumnus, now Associate Director of George Mason University's #1-ranked Green Machine Ensembles. Driven by a passion for leadership and creativity, he applies lessons learned from the Arts Management Program daily, blending artistic vision with strategic management for meaningful impact. Read on to learn how Bobby is making a difference through music and arts management!
Q: When did you graduate and what is your current position?
A: I graduated in 2021 from the Arts Management program and recently took a job back at George Mason as Associate Director of Green Machine Ensembles. George Mason's pep band is ranked #1 in the nation by NCAA.
Q: Why did you decide to study arts management and how did the program help you with your first job?
A: I decided to study arts management because I was pretty far into a management career without any education on how all of the nuances of leadership really worked. At the time that I decided to study arts management I was in the middle of a 15 year career in AV production management where I hired staff, planned and managed a nearly 1 million dollar budget, created growth plans for the organization's future production ambitions and met with leadership regularly to balance needs and expectations with feasibility and resource management. I literally took every class and assignment and utilizes the techniques in real world situations daily.
Q: What projects, research, or work are you involved with in your current role(s)?
A: Currently my main projects and research are in rebuilding our advisory council and developing new initiatives for
the growth of Green Machine Ensembles as a whole; teaching and directing multiple ensembles and learning different techniques to effectively communicate with the groups in performances and in rehearsals; and development of new curriculum material and ideas with my colleges to continue to add opportunities for a uniquely growing student base that need more avenues for education. I’ve already played a major research role in developing the new audio production degree program and we’re working on more growth opportunities for our students and future students at GMU
Q: What does a typical day of work look like for you?
A: My day could consist of anything in a week. I could be teaching, directing or performing with one of the Green Machine ensembles called the Green & Gold Soul that I actually started back when I was a student. It now consists of over 30 students regularly; I could be preparing to direct the Green Machine Pep band at a basketball game as backup for Doc Nix; I could be meeting with our council members and recruiting future members; I could be teaching a vocal lesson and leading the vocal coaches for the Green Machine; or I could just be an ear for a student who’s having a hard time getting through the semester and needs some guidance and words of encouragement to keep going. My day is very fluid and unpredictable, and I love every bit of it.
Q: What keeps you passionate about the arts and arts management?
A: The name itself is what keeps me passionate. I get to manage in the arts. Management is about growth, leadership, influence and impact and the arts are the epitome of progression and creativity. I get to lead the efforts of creativity and ensure that it has a clear path to grow. As a creative myself, there’s no place I would rather be.
Q: Did you always grow up surrounded by the arts?
A: I didn’t actually grow up surrounded by the arts. I had to go find it myself. My folks wanted me to be a lawyer but once I learned that I had a talent for music I just couldn’t get away from it. No matter what I could find a path to the arts and I’m grateful that not matter wherever my career has taken me that I’ve always had at least one hand in the arts. Now it’s my full time job so I may not have grown up around it, but I get to be a grown up in it.
Q: What is something you wish you had known when you first started the program?
A: I wish I would have known just how accomplished and approachable my professors were. Of course you will network with your cohort but some of my professors are now my colleagues and we have done amazing work together and continue to aid each other in our initiatives.
Q: What do you tell people an “Arts Manager” does?
A: Well, I created the spoken word “The Vine” that you can currently find on the Arts Management landing page for this specific reason. We are the bridge between the arts and administration. We are the left and the right brain for the creative planners and the logistic artists. We are the reason that the front and backstage coexist and perform at the highest levels. Without arts managers, art won’t have its structure, and structure won’t have its art.