Summary
Overview
Work History
Education
Skills
References
Affiliations
Timeline
Generic

Melanie Epps

Omaha,NE

Summary

Passionate, dedicated, and polished professional with 15+ years of experience in the arts, education, and local government, specializing in program management, event coordination, and community partnerships. Strong and creative problem-solving skills, showcased by a successful pivoting of arts programming to continue during the pandemic with only one week of disruption. Highly motivated self-starter, ready for a new challenge.

Overview

24
24
years of professional experience

Work History

Executive Director

Omaha Academy of Ballet
Omaha, NE
01.2025 - Current
  • Develop and continuously update the strategic and business plans to align with OAB's mission and vision, in collaboration with the Artistic Director, Board of Directors, and staff.
  • Lead and support a strong Board of Directors, ensuring effective communication and collaboration to achieve the organization’s strategic goals.
  • Oversee the fundraising initiatives, including grant writing, annual funds, and special events, while managing donor relationships and tracking progress.
  • Diversify revenue streams to create sustainable income for OAB, ensuring operations can be effectively supported now and in the future.
  • Manage the organization's budget, accounting processes, and human resources, ensuring compliance with legal and ethical standards.
  • Develop and implement marketing and public relations strategies to enhance visibility and achieve earned income objectives.
  • Maintain strong relationships with venues, strategic partners, and the arts community to support collaboration and outreach efforts.
  • Provide oversight for organizational operations, guiding staff and ensuring day-to-day functions align with established goals and best practices.

Events Coordinator

City of Gretna
Gretna, NE
07.2023 - Current
  • Oversaw logistics for opening day of 157-acre community recreation and sporting complex.
  • Arranged food trucks, vendors, performers, promotional items and activities for 1000+ attendees.
  • Created a slate of new events for community residence, increasing number of city-sponsored events from two to twelve.
  • Re-designed community park website.
  • Design all event promotional materials.
  • Manage social media accounts, including newly created "events" Facebook page.

Choreographer

Take the Stage Choreography, LLC (self-employed)
Omaha, NE
08.2001 - Current
  • Create new dance routines that fit the needs of the performance by interpreting scripts and music to express the story and emotions.
  • Work together with directors, costume designers, and other creative team members to make sure the production looks and works well as a whole.
  • Teach and practice choreography with dancers, giving clear instructions, leading rehearsals, and helping performers reach their goals.
  • Give helpful feedback to dancers about their technique, timing, and stage presence, while making sure they perform safely.
  • Attend auditions and help choose dancers who are a good fit for the choreography, while keeping detailed records of rehearsals and performances.
  • Review performances and make needed changes to choreography and rehearsals, working with other departments to ensure everything comes together smoothly.
  • Share new ideas and suggestions to improve the production while effectively managing multiple tasks in a busy rehearsal setting.

Community Engagement and String Sprouts Manager

Omaha Conservatory of Music
Omaha, NE
08.2017 - 06.2023
  • Managed all aspects of the String Sprouts program (800+ enrollment), including scheduling, registration, budgeting and purchasing, human resources, reporting, and database development. This included collaboration with OPS at several elementary and middle schools regarding both in-school and after-school programming.
  • Managed all community partnerships, including teaching agreements with local and regional schools, service organizations, and other arts non-profits throughout the Omaha metro, including south Omaha.
  • Scheduled Conservatory teaching artists for private lessons with 250+ middle and high school students in numerous school districts (primarily OPS).
  • Collaborated with third-party developers on a multi-year project to create new String Sprouts websites and online data database which housed the entire registration process, learning materials, and billing.
  • Organized and executed the Conservatory's presence at festivals, conferences, and other promotional events.

Director of Education

Omaha Community Playhouse
Omaha, NE
09.2009 - 08.2011
  • Created and oversaw educational offerings of the largest community theater in the United States.
  • Collaborated with teaching artists to create interdisciplinary curriculum for secondary schools, based on themes or historical events in Playhouse productions.
  • Recruited, interviewed, and hired teaching artists.
  • Implemented promotional ticketing program to increase attendance among young adult demographic.

Development Coordinator

Omaha Community Playhouse
Omaha, NE
09.2001 - 08.2009
  • Handled administrative duties for monetary and In-kind gifts to the Playhouse, including processing of payments and donor correspondence.
  • Acted as liaison between Playhouse guild and Playhouse staff, overseeing planning of fundraising events, social gatherings and scheduled meetings.
  • Created narratives and provided data for grant applications, capital campaigns, and donor meetings.
  • Spearheaded transition of Playhouse Development Department from Access-based fundraising software to Tessitura Ticketing and Fundraising system.

Education

Bachelor of Arts - Organizational Communication

University of Nebraska
Kearney, NE
05.2000

Skills

  • Effective, engaging communicator
  • Financial and operational management
  • Board relations
  • Public relations
  • Community outreach
  • Scheduling
  • Problem-solving
  • Strategic planning
  • Fundraising
  • Creative
  • Adaptable
  • Intermediate in Spanish
  • Technical literacy: comfortable in Google or Microsoft suites, database development/data migration, Canva, and Wix

References

  • Ruth Meints, Artistic Director/String Sprouts creator (Omaha Conservatory of Music), (402) 932-4978, ruthmeints@omahacm.org
  • Candace Jorgensen, Director of Programming (Omaha Conservatory of Music), (402) 932-4978, candacejorgensen@omahacm.org
  • Ryan Pivonka, Principal (Ralston High School), (402) 670-9344, ryan.pivonka@ralstonschools.org

Affiliations

  • Nonprofit Executive Institute, Class 18, Nonprofit Association of the Midlands
  • TEAM Program, Cohort 13, Daugherty/Scott/Sherwood Foundations
  • Musical Theatre Advisory Committee, Iowa Western Community College (2021-present)

Timeline

Executive Director

Omaha Academy of Ballet
01.2025 - Current

Events Coordinator

City of Gretna
07.2023 - Current

Community Engagement and String Sprouts Manager

Omaha Conservatory of Music
08.2017 - 06.2023

Director of Education

Omaha Community Playhouse
09.2009 - 08.2011

Development Coordinator

Omaha Community Playhouse
09.2001 - 08.2009

Choreographer

Take the Stage Choreography, LLC (self-employed)
08.2001 - Current

Bachelor of Arts - Organizational Communication

University of Nebraska

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Melanie Epps