Mission
NMPAS is the leading nonprofit performing arts organization in New Mexico that exclusively uses and develops New Mexican talent. We bring high quality performances to communities throughout the state, we train talented young people to become even better performers, and we do so with a sustainable model that both pays our artists a living wage and keeps our overhead costs low.
Vision
NMPAS seeks to build on its history of high quality performances by New Mexican artists. We envision an even stronger nonprofit organization with a renewed emphasis on developing and showcasing exceptional New Mexican talent, on broadening our reach throughout the state, and on developing a succession plan for the organization’s leadership. NMPAS has been and will continue to be a careful steward of its resources, both artistic and financial. We welcome philanthropic investment to help us bring more beauty, joy, and exceptional performances to our community.
Concerts
In Fall 2026, NMPAS launches its Fifteenth Anniversary Season on Saturday, October 10, 2026 at 4 PM with “The Great American Songbook: Popular Music of the 1940’s-70’s.” Co-sponsored by Visit Albuquerque, this event is part of The Sights and Sounds of Route 66, a celebration of the Centennial, the era of classic cars, neon, and family road trips across America. The NMPAS holiday concert, Winter Solstice, takes place in Santa Fe on Wednesday, December 16, 2026 at 7 PM. The New Mexico Bach Society presents a chamber concert in Albuquerque on Sunday, February 7, 2027 at 4 PM. Music of Bach and two living American composers, Aaron Alter and Jennifer Higdon. The second Route 66 Centennial event, “Broadway Classics,” takes place on Saturday, May 8, 2027 at 4 PM at Garcia Salón de Automobilia in downtown Albuquerque. No season would be complete without Season Finale Opera, this time in Albuquerque on Saturday, June 12, 2027 at 7 PM and in Santa Fe on Sunday, June 13, 2027 at 4 PM. Please visit the EVENTS pages for more details and featured artist listings.
Education
NMPAS has created a scholarship in honor of our recently deceased Board member, James Bonnell, and in collaboration with Jim’s widow, former students, and Albuquerque Youth Symphony Association (AYSA). The scholarship covers tuition for a viola student in their senior year of high school, who is an exemplary participant in AYSA and represents the values that Jim Bonnell lived in his teaching, music-making, and life. If you’d like to contribute to the James Bonnell Memorial Scholarship at AYSA, please reach out to Norlynn Blocker-Price for more information.
This year NMPAS will bring the Route 66 Centennial celebrations to a middle school in Albuquerque and another public school in Santa Fe. As a member of the Santa Fe Nonprofit Music Education Consortium, NMPAS collaborates with other presenters to reach as many students as possible with meaningful experiences that inspire a lifelong love of music and the arts.
NMPAS Governing Board
NMPAS Advisory Board
Alan Mar
NMPAS Emeritus Board Members
NMPAS Staff and Consultants
Franz Vote, Artistic Advisor and Conductor
Linda Marianiello, Administrative Advisor and Artist Contractor
David Ponder, Operations Manager
Leah Romero, Media Outreach Consultant
Alex Hanna, Graphic Design
Shannon Whitehead, Webmaster
Contact
Contact us at info@nmpas.org