JOHNNY NICHOLS, JR.
Denver,Colorado
Summary
Arts executive with 15+ years of experience in choral, orchestral, and theatrical disciplines, committed to serving Los Angeles communities. Managed $750K budget while leading a 140-member chorus and producing four concert cycles annually in major theatres. Rebuilt national education division across 18 affiliate cities, improving program quality by 45%. Generated $175K annually through strategic fundraising and expanded audience base by 18%. Secured over $400K in grants from government and foundation sources. Grammy-nominated composer and conductor.
Overview
11
11
years of professional experience
Work History
Director of Music and Worship Arts
New Hope Presbyterian Church
04.2024 - Current
- Managed all musical and production aspects for an 300-member congregation, led 14 staff and volunteers across eight ensembles.
- Orchestrated strategic partnerships with 12 local arts organizations, maximizing facility usage and generating $153K in annual revenue stream to support annual budget of $750K.
- Managed music and worship arts budget of $36K, directed finance planning and resource allocation, ensuring effective stewardship of funds.
- Designed 4 seasonal programs incorporating traditional hymns alongside contemporary pieces to honor cultural diversity within the congregation.
- Collaborated with clergy to create engaging liturgies that supported bimonthly sermon themes and promoted deeper understanding of theological concepts.
Managing & Artistic Director
Denver Gay Men's Chorus
06.2023 - Current
- Directed a 170-member chorus, managing artistic direction, operations, and a $825K annual budget, including performances in 8 major theatres.
- Raised $225K through strategic fundraising initiatives including the Carnival Rendezvous Gala and cabaret performances.
- Grew audience base by 28% via partnerships with women-led and BIPOC-led organizations and data-driven audience demographic analysis to optimize programming and marketing strategies.
- Revitalized the chorus's online presence through website redesign and social media engagement, leading to a 33% increase in website traffic and heightened brand awareness.
- Revolutionized audience and singer engagement by deploying AI chatbots on social media, answering 90% of patron inquiries instantly and freeing up staff time to focus on strategic artistic initiatives.
- Expanded organizational reach through culturally diverse programming that attracted new audiences and increased revenue streams.
- Created arts organization's seasonal performance and exhibition program and selected performers and artists for upcoming events.
- Developed strong relationships with community partners, fostering support for the organization''s mission and goals.
- Championed diversity and inclusion efforts within the organization, promoting an inclusive atmosphere both onstage and offstage.
Artistic Director & Founder
Me2/ Chorus
05.2019 - 06.2023
- Secured funding through grant writing and advocacy, cultivating relationships with elected officials to support arts programs and generating $85K+ for operational expenses.
- Increased chorus reach and impact through concert attendance growth, community partnerships, and targeted outreach to underserved populations, achieving 35% increase in audience reach.
- Curated and directed musical performances, selecting repertoire, leading rehearsals, and conducting 3 concerts per year, showcasing diverse musical styles and voices.
- Consulted with stakeholders to discuss commission ideas and style preferences to create mutually agreeable project parameters.
- Established strong brand identity by developing a unique artistic vision that set the company apart from competitors in the market.
- Networked and collaborated with performing arts directors and producers to schedule new works and immersive performances.
Assistant Conductor & Director of Education and Outreach
Boston Gay Men's Chorus
07.2018 - 06.2023
- Authored strategic education plan adopted by the board, designed community engagement programs increasing younger audience attendance by 17%, and grew outreach participation by 40% via data analytics.
- Championed DEI initiatives, creating a mentorship program for 150 LGBTQ+ youth and curating diverse repertoire, utilizing AI tools to personalize curriculum delivery and enhance student engagement.
- Supported the conductor in administrative tasks such as budget management, program planning, and grant applications to ensure organizational success.
- Managed personnel issues professionally by mediating conflicts between musicians or addressing performance-related concerns promptly.
- Served as a liaison between musicians'' union representatives and orchestra management regarding contract negotiations or concerns from either party.
Artistic Director
Ipswich River Community Chorus
01.2015 - 05.2023
- Cultivated relationships with 15+ local businesses to secure sponsorships, increasing revenue by 28% and enabling expanded community outreach programs.
- Established and led a youth chorus, forging partnerships with 8 surrounding schools, integrating music education for 60 young musicians.
- Secured $90K in grant funding from foundations and local businesses to support chorus operations and youth programs.
- Scheduled video production resources and managed cast and crew to accomplish video production goals on preset timelines.
- Increased audience attendance by 45% through engaging marketing campaigns that showcased the artistic talent of the ensemble.
Director of Education and Outreach
Revels Inc.
03.2017 - 07.2021
- Rebuilt and grew the national education division, enhancing curriculum reach across 9 affiliate cities.
- Improved program consistency and quality by 40% through standardized curriculum and enhanced teacher training.
- Secured $95,000 in grant funding to support educational programs and expand project scope.
- Directed research initiatives to integrate evidence-based practices into curriculum.
- Developed and maintained partnerships with 17 local businesses and educational organizations, enriching educational experience.
- Partnered with external stakeholders, such as local businesses and non-profit organizations, to develop programs that would benefit the school community while providing students with real-world learning opportunities.
Education
J.D. - Law
Harvard Law School
05-2021
Master of Music - Choral Conducting
Rice University
05-2010
Skills
- Grant Writing, Revenue Forecasting, Donor Database Management, Finance Operations
- CRM Systems, Ticketing Systems, AI-Powered Marketing Tools, Data Analytics Platforms
- Theatrical Production Management, Concert Programming, Digital Marketing Strategy, Audience Development, Corporate Sponsorship Development
- Languages
Affiliations
Boston Children's Chorus, Conductor
American Musical and Dramatic Academy (AMDA) - NYC, High School Summer Intensive
iTheatrics & Musical Theater International (MTI), Consultant
Community of the Streets Jazz Festival, Artistic Director
Timeline
Director of Music and Worship Arts
New Hope Presbyterian Church
04.2024 - Current
Managing & Artistic Director
Denver Gay Men's Chorus
06.2023 - Current
Artistic Director & Founder
Me2/ Chorus
05.2019 - 06.2023
Assistant Conductor & Director of Education and Outreach
Boston Gay Men's Chorus
07.2018 - 06.2023
Director of Education and Outreach
Revels Inc.
03.2017 - 07.2021
Artistic Director
Ipswich River Community Chorus
01.2015 - 05.2023
J.D. - Law
Harvard Law School
Master of Music - Choral Conducting
Rice University