Young Audiences of Western New York announces new leadership After twelve years of service to Young Audiences of Western New York, Inc., Helga MacKinnon retired on July 31. Cynnie Gaasch, previously YA-WNY’s Director of Development, has stepped into the role of Executive Director. Ms. MacKinnon had a significant impact on the organization. While YA-WNY only offered assembly performances when MacKinnon began, she prioritized classroom programming and curriculum-supportive residencies to increase student exposure to the arts. Specifically, MacKinnon led the development of the multi-disciplinary Journeys and Journals: Traveling on the Erie Canal Residency for 4th and 7th graders, and Writing for Life, a visual and literary arts program for “at-risk” youth. MacKinnon initiated Empire State Partnerships for 11 years, partnering with Waterfront in Buffalo, Holland, and Holley Elementary Schools, with significant support from New York State Council on the Arts. She also developed after school residencies for the Boys and Girls Clubs of Buffalo in 1997.  After school and summer residencies continue to be a major piece of YA-WNY’s programming. Ms. Gaasch will build on the organization’s strengths, expanding and developing programs to best serve the young people of Western New York.  This year YA-WNY begins Keep It Moving! a fitness and dance after school program with support from General Mills, and will build a multi-disciplinary residency around the Underground Railroad in Western New York, with support from the Community Foundation for Greater Buffalo. To provide more accessible information about the organization, YA-WNY plans to lauch a redesigned website and online catalog in early fall of 2009. With these and similar initiatives, Gaasch looks forward to furthering the services the organization offers Western New York.

Young Audiences of Western New York announces new leadership

After twelve years of service to Young Audiences of Western New York, Inc., Helga MacKinnon retired on July 31. Cynnie Gaasch, previously YA-WNY’s Director of Development, has stepped into the role of Executive Director.

Ms. MacKinnon had a significant impact on the organization. While YA-WNY only offered assembly performances when MacKinnon began, she prioritized classroom programming and curriculum-supportive residencies to increase student exposure to the arts. Specifically, MacKinnon led the development of the multi-disciplinary Journeys and Journals: Traveling on the Erie Canal Residency for 4th and 7th graders, and Writing for Life, a visual and literary arts program for “at-risk” youth.

MacKinnon initiated Empire State Partnerships for 11 years, partnering with Waterfront in Buffalo, Holland, and Holley Elementary Schools, with significant support from New York State Council on the Arts. She also developed after school residencies for the Boys and Girls Clubs of Buffalo in 1997.  After school and summer residencies continue to be a major piece of YA-WNY’s programming.

Ms. Gaasch will build on the organization’s strengths, expanding and developing programs to best serve the young people of Western New York.  This year YA-WNY begins Keep It Moving! a fitness and dance after school program with support from General Mills, and will build a multi-disciplinary residency around the Underground Railroad in Western New York, with support from the Community Foundation for Greater Buffalo. To provide more accessible information about the organization, YA-WNY plans to lauch a redesigned website and online catalog in early fall of 2009. With these and similar initiatives, Gaasch looks forward to furthering the services the organization offers Western New York.

4 months ago