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
NMPAS Season Thirteen features Chamber Concerts, The New Mexico Bach Society, a reprise of our period instrument concerts with BWV of Albuquerque, Season Finale Opera, and educational workshops. Santa Fe performances take place at the Unitarian Universalist Congregation, 107 Barcelona Road. The 2024-2025 series also offers performances and collaborations in Albuquerque, Las Vegas, and Los Alamos.
Education
Our Educational Outreach addresses two areas of critical training: supplementation of pre-college music study, and professional mentoring for advanced students and recent graduates of New Mexico universities. We do this through educational workshops and networking, including our new membership in the Santa Fe Nonprofit Music Education Consortium. A FY25 grant from the Hancock Family Foundation enables NMPAS to present in-school assemblies at schools in Santa Fe and Albuquerque.
Many participants in our Educational Outreach programs have told us the experience was professionally important to them and their students.
NMPAS Governing Board
Aaron Alter, Treasurer, IT Consultant and Composer, Carlsbad, CA
Cindi Stetson, Secretary, Santa Fe, NM
NMPAS Advisory Board
NMPAS Advisory Board
James Bonnell, Madden Hosea & Associates (Ret.), Fundraising Consultant and Former Violist, New Mexico Symphony (Ret.), Albuquerque, NM
Gregory Gallagher, Minister of Worship and Music, St. Stephens United Methodist Church, Albuquerque, NM (Former Prof. Of Voice, Eastern New Mexico University, Portales, NM)
Patricia Henning, Astrophysicist, Socorro, NM
NMPAS Emeritus Board Members
John F. Andrews, Shakespeare scholar, Santa Fe, NM
Bob Ansheles, Development Professional, Santa Fe, NM
Elizabeth Baker, Board Member at Large, Taos, NM
John Berkenfield, ED, El Rancho de las Golondrinas, IBM Executive (Ret.), Santa Fe, NM
Chuck Case, Federal Judge and Lawyer (Ret.), Phoenix, AZ and Santa Fe, NM
Linda Childers, Founder, Fine Artist, Santa Fe, NM
Monika Cosson, Founder, Professional Singer, New Orleans, LA
Donna Elliot, CPA (Ret.), Santa Fe, NM
André García-Nuthmann, New Mexico Highlands University, Las Vegas, NM
Robert Glick, Fundraising Professional (Ret.), Santa Fe, NM
Scott Haley, CPA, Albuquerque, NM
Christopher Ihlefeld, Founder, Amateur Choral Singer and Thornburg Investment Manager, Santa Fe, NM
Brian Lee, CPA, Santa Fe, NM
Kayla Liechty, Collaborative Pianist and Faculty, Eastern New Mexico University, Portales, NM
Peter Merrill, Construction Dispute Resolution Services, Santa Fe, NM
Esther Moses, soprano and Music Educator, Albuquerque Public Schools, Albuquerque, NM
David G. Ponder, Accountant and NMPAS Treasurer, Santa Fe, NM
Steven Rudnick, Board Member at Large, Climate Scientist (Ret.), Santa Fe, NM
Daniel Schwab, Clarinetist, Santa Fe, NM
Richard Skolnik, World Health Expert and Amateur Guitarist, White Rock, NM
Lori Stevens, Corporate Executive, Santa Fe, NM
James W. White, Taos, NM
David Van Winkle, Board Member at Large, Texas Instruments Executive and Amateur Pianist, (Ret.), Santa Fe, NM
Rachel de W. Wixom, President and CEO, The Coe Center for the Arts, Santa Fe, NM
NMPAS Staff and Consultants
Lisa Cisneros, Administrative Assistant
Leah Romero, Media Outreach
Leah Romero, a native of Las Cruces, NM, is a freelance writer. She was a serious flutist in high school, continued her flute study at New Mexico State University while pursuing a degree in journalism. Leah got to know NMPAS because she participated in NMPAS’s Santa Fe Flute Immersion in her junior year of high school. We’re happy to have her on the team as a talented media outreach coordinator.
David G. Ponder, Accountant
In early 2013, David G. Ponder became a New Mexico resident. He then started Ponder Bookkeeping LLC while working 3.5 years part-time as the bookkeeper for the Upaya Zen Center before flying solo in his bookkeeping business. David has been the bookkeeper for Biographers International Organization for the past 6 years, serves as the treasurer for the Montecito Condo Association, and is on the advisory board for the Meadow City Academy of Music in Las Vegas, New Mexico. David Ponder served as NMPAS Treasurer for 2.5 years from 2019-2021.
Shannon Whitehead, Webmaster
Shannon has been involved in web design and development for 35+ years. His designs, UX/UI work can be seen in several Fortune 500 companies and other national entertainment sites. Shannon’s former career was a drummer in an 80’s rock band opening up for national acts like Flock of Seagulls, Spin Doctors, Sugar Ray and many others. He still has a passion for music and loves to golf in his down time.
Alan Schneider, Liaison and Technical Assistant, Hope in the Desert Episcopal Church in Albuquerque
Contact
Contact us at info@nmpas.org