SANDRA PARKS
Westminster,CO
Summary
Proactive leader produces innovative, collaborative, and diverse work that relates to the local community, national directions, and international trends by applying determination and attention to detail. Performance-oriented and enterprising leader with organized nature and analytical problem-solving approach. Active advocate for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion in all fields.
Overview
30
30
years of professional experience
Work History
Executive and Artistic Director
Colorado Conservatory of Dance
09.2023 - Current
- Lead strategic vision and overall operations of a nationally recognized nonprofit dance organization serving 135+ students and broader community
- Direct all artistic programming, including the annual Nutcracker and original works focused on inclusion and re-imagined traditions
- Oversee fundraising, grant writing, and donor engagement-secured support from NEA and local cultural agencies
- Manage annual operating budget and supervise board development and governance
- Cultivate and expand partnerships with educational institutions, arts organizations, and community groups across Colorado
- Recruit, hire, and mentor faculty and administrative staff, fostering a culture of collaboration and equity
- Implement curriculum innovation and community education programs accessible to all ages and backgrounds
Director
Choate Rosemary Hall/Paul Mellon Arts Center
08.2021 - 05.2023
- Curate and produce professional productions and presentations for 2 different venues
- Engage with patrons and school alumni on fund raising effort
- Manage annual budgets for all arts programs
- Directed teams of 40 faculty and staff members to deliver daily course load and operation
- Collaborated with disciplines from history, English, and foreign language to present live performing arts productions
- Developed high-performing teams by providing mentorship, guidance, and opportunities for professional growth.
- Enhanced team collaboration through regular communication, goal setting, and performance evaluations.
- Managed budgets effectively to ensure optimal use of resources while maintaining financial stability.
Director
Drexel University
09.2017 - 07.2021
- Hired and directed teams of 25 faculty members to deliver daily course load and operation
- Created and developed a fully online degree program for professional dancers
- Collaborated with disciplines from history, English, immersive arts, and virtual reality to present live performing arts productions
- Secured funding to present live performing arts events with international artists
- Established local community partners with professional dance companies
- Created and managed annual budget
- Developed comprehensive plan to accomplish program objectives while staying within budget
- Hired and directed teams of 20 faculty members to deliver daily classes for the program
- Served on Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion committees
Director
Louisiana State University
07.2013 - 06.2016
- Collaborated with artists and educators from computer programming, digital art, graphic design, interior design, fine arts, theater, and music to present live performing arts productions
- Developed partnership with local organizations and fundraising strategies
- Secured funding by fundraising and grant writing for program growth and operations
- Created and managed annual budget
- Developed comprehensive plan to accomplish company objectives while staying within budget
- Hired and directed teams of 10 faculty members to deliver daily course load and operation
- Directed annual dance productions
Executive Director/Founder
Women in Dance
12.2013 - Current
- Directed 5 biennial international conferences in Baton Rouge, Chicago, Los Angeles, New York City, and Philadelphia
- Produced and presented keynote speeches, dance workshops, panel discussions, film screenings, WID Talks, 10+ live dance concerts and scholarly paper presentations
- Collaborated with local and regional community partners including higher education institutions, Arts Councils, professional theaters, professional dance companies, technology companies, research company and more
- Secured funding by fundraising and grant writing for organization's operations
- Developed and managed partnerships and strategic business relationships, including negotiating contract terms and handling conflicts
- Led operational oversight and budgetary supervision for 5 international conferences
- Developed key operational initiatives to drive and maintain substantial business growth
Film/Media Producer and Director
Self-Employed
01.2013 - 01.2017
- Produced and directed a documentary on Chinese ethic dances and culture
- Produced and directed a documentary and marketing video for Taiwanese aboriginal dance and culture
- Produced live TV and media content for sports network
- Managed multiple simultaneous projects, prioritizing tasks to meet tight deadlines while maintaining quality standards.
Freelance Choreographer
Self-employeed
01.2000 - Current
- Presented full length work, Romeo and Juliet, the Choice, Fairfield, CT
- Produced and created full length work, Romeo and Juliet, the Choice, Philadelphia, PA
- Invited and presented work at 2016 International Prokofiev Symposium, Baton Rouge, LA
- Produced and created work for full evening concerts, Boston, MA
- Commissioned work with Bosoma Dance Company, Boston, MA
- Commissioned work with Of Moving Colors, Baton Rouge, LA
- Invited and presented work at Beijing Dance Festival in 2016 and 2018
- Invited and presented work at American College Dance Festival Gala in 2013, 2015, and 2016
- Invited and presented work at Crossing Boundaries Performance, New York, NY
- Invited and presented work at Dance Complex, Cambridge, MA
- Awarded finalist at Taiwan International Dance Competition
- Choreographed for 80+ live concerts for artists in Atlantic City, Boston, Las Vegas, and New York
Director
Sparks Production
01.2000 - 07.2007
- Directed and choreographed more than 80 live concerts with musicians and dancers in professional venues located in Boston, Las Vegas, New York City, and more
- Hired and directed teams of 30 performers to present the live productions
- Collaborated with multiple production companies to secure funding for production needs including salary and production costs
- Developed dance education curriculum for K-12 grades students in multiple dance styles including Ballet, Chinese dance, Contemporary dance, Hip-Hop dance, and Jazz dance.
- Secured funding by fundraising and grant writing for program growth and operations
- Created and managed annual budget
- Developed comprehensive plan to accomplish company objectives while staying within budget
Professional Dancer
Various Companies
01.1996 - 12.2015
- Performed for 70+ live concerts in New York City, Atlantic City, Boston, and Las Vegas
- Performed in Broadway Musical, King and I National Tour
- Performed in Broadway Musical, King and I International Tour
- Performed for 2002 1st Annual Chinese Top 10 Music Award
- Performed for Asian New Year Concert, San Juan, Puerto Rico in 2002 and 2004
- Performed for Impulse Dance Company, Boston
- Performed for Dance Collective, Boston
- Performed for Wu-I Dance Company as principal dancer, Taipei, Taiwan
- Performed for Four Season Ballet Company as soloist, Taipei, Taiwan
Education
Master of Fine Arts - Dance and Choreography
Smith College
Northampton, MA06.2007
Bachelor of Fine Arts - Dance Performance, Computer Application
New York University
New York, NY06.1999
Skills
- Artistic Creation
- Artists Development
- Budgeting
- Business Administration
- Business Development
- Contract Management
- Film Directing
- Film Production
- Financial Management
- Fundraising
- Operations Management
- Project Management
- Strategies and goals
- Strategic Planning
- Staff Development
- Verbal and written communication
Websites
Timeline
Executive and Artistic Director
Colorado Conservatory of Dance
09.2023 - Current
Director
Choate Rosemary Hall/Paul Mellon Arts Center
08.2021 - 05.2023
Director
Drexel University
09.2017 - 07.2021
Executive Director/Founder
Women in Dance
12.2013 - Current
Director
Louisiana State University
07.2013 - 06.2016
Film/Media Producer and Director
Self-Employed
01.2013 - 01.2017
Director
Sparks Production
01.2000 - 07.2007
Freelance Choreographer
Self-employeed
01.2000 - Current
Professional Dancer
Various Companies
01.1996 - 12.2015
Master of Fine Arts - Dance and Choreography
Smith College
Bachelor of Fine Arts - Dance Performance, Computer Application
New York University
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