Pro Musica Joplin Welcomes Three New Board Members As It Continues Pandemic-Driven Innovations

(Joplin, MO)Pro Musica, the region’s presenter of leading national and international classical chamber and jazz music has announced three exciting appointments to its Board of Directors. These appointments follow the onboarding of a new Executive Director earlier this year, Missouri-native Jay Gilman.

Pro Musica’s new leaders join the organization at a time of bold innovation having recently launched Overtures of Hope, a temporary COVID responsiveness initiative; producing a successful digital concert series in partnership with the Chamber Music Society of New York’s renowned Lincoln Center; and pioneering outdoor socially-distanced concerts this spring and summer.

“After a competitive process, we’re excited to welcome three engaged, passionate community leaders to our board of directors. Canès, Emily, and Don each bring unique expertise towards championing our work to provide free world-class concerts and art education,” said Mr. Justin Thomas, Pro Musica Board Vice President and Nominating Committee Chair.

The new directors include:

Dr. Canès Nicolas, Assistant Professor of Music & Director of Southern Symphony Orchestra at Missouri Southern State University (MSSU), was born and raised in Port-au-Prince, Haiti. Starting violin at the age of eight at L’Ecole de Musique Sainte Trinité, he has been a member of l’Orchestre Philharmonique Sainte Trinité since 2002. Dr. Nicolas holds a Doctorate of Musical Arts in Orchestral Conducting from University of Nebraska-Lincoln, a Master’s in Orchestral Conducting from Ohio University, and Bachelor’s in Music from University of Minnesota-Duluth, also studying in Europe and the US with Dumitru Goia, Steven Huang, Keith Kockhart, Dr. Tyler White, Markand Thakar, and others. Prior to MSSU, Canès taught at Southern Utah University and Wayne State College, and as a festival clinician for honor orchestras in Missouri, Utah, Nebraska, and Haiti. Canès will also serve on Pro Musica’s Artistic Committee.

Ms. Emily Stanley brings expertise in public relations as an accomplished volunteer-leader for both arts-related and educational causes. She has served in communication roles for Liberty Utilities, Freeman Health System, and the United Way of Southwest Missouri. She is a current Trustee of the Joplin Public Library, member of the Friends of St. Avips in support of the George A. Spiva Center for the Arts, and active member of the St. Mary’s Catholic School Home & School Organization. Emily is a stay-at-home parent; she and her husband, Logan, have two daughters. Ms. Stanley will also serve on Pro Musica’s Advancement Committee.

Mr. Don McBride is CEO of ACCESS Family Care, a service-oriented federally-qualified health provider in southwest Missouri. Mr. McBride has been CEO of ACCESS since 2006, and he previously directed two federal migrant education grants for Crowder College, was an educator with the Missouri Migrant Education Program, and taught English and Spanish in Purdy and Neosho schools. Don and his wife also pastor a Hispanic congregation in Neosho. Don enjoys cycling and travel. Don will also serve on Pro Musica’s Nominating Committee.

Pro Musica’s full Board of Directors now includes:

  • President Lori Marble (Director of Strategic Innovation, Mercy Hospital)
  • Vice President Justin Thomas (Owner, The Wild Flower)
  • Treasurer Alex Curchin, Esq. (Director, Crossland Construction)
  • Secretary Martin Williams (Retired CFO, Cox Monnett Hospital)
  • Wally Boss (Retired Executive Director, Cache Valley Center for the Arts)
  • Cleo Copeland (Owner, Cleo’s Framing & Design)
  • Judson L. Fisher (Staff Vice President, Segment Reporting, Leggett & Platt)
  • Nicholas Kyle (Retired Department Chair and Professor of Art, MSSU)
  • Don McBride (CEO, ACCESS Family Care)
  • Dr. Canès Nicolas (Asst. Professor of Music, MSSU)
  • Kathy Stammer (Accountant, Ozark Christian College)
  • Emily Stanley (Area philanthropist and member, Friends of St. Avips)
  • Annette Thurston (Executive Director, Ronald McDonald House Charities of the Four States)

About Pro Musica:

Founded in 1981, Pro Musica is the leading presenter of world-class chamber music in Joplin, Missouri and the surrounding four-state region. A nonprofit 501(c)3, Pro Musica uplifts “ageless music for all ages” through free Chamber Series concerts; cornerstone Arts Education Events in Joplin Public Schools, area private schools, and homeschool networks, and at Missouri Southern State University; provides innovative frameworks for experiencing classical chamber music in coffee shop and library-based family concerts; outdoor events; an annual jazz concert; and more. Pro Musica is supported by the generosity of numerous individuals, business and corporate sponsors, family and private foundations, the Missouri Arts Council, and National Endowment for the Arts.

Reference:

Jay Gilman, Executive Director
Pro Musica
816.392.5588

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