Arts Administration

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Arts Admin Items
Founding & Directing a Community Youth Orchestra

LaSaundra Belcher is the Founder and Executive Director of the Wake Forest Community Youth Orchestra (WFCYO). She has grown the program from serving 200 to over 500 students annually, providing free instruments, lessons, and tuition for students in Title-I schools. Under her leadership, WFCYO has maintained a 100% graduation rate, with seniors advancing to college or trade schools. She has overseen program development, teacher training, and expansion of community partnerships to ensure access to music education for under-resourced youth.

Grant Manager, Connected Arts Networks (National Association for Music Education)

Belcher also serves as Grant Manager for NAfME’s Connected Arts Networks (CAN), a federally funded initiative building sustainable networks of arts educators across the U.S. Her work ensures alignment with grant requirements, supports teacher leaders nationwide, and advances the project’s mission of strengthening collaboration, equity, and innovation in arts education.

Director, Lynette A. Turner Pathways to Consulting Fellowship (AMS Planning & Research)

As Consulting Associate at AMS Planning & Research, Belcher serves as Director of the Lynette A. Turner Pathways to Consulting Fellowship. She oversees the fellowship’s design, recruitment, and mentorship, ensuring that BIPOC arts leaders gain meaningful, project-based consulting experience. Her leadership has created pathways for emerging consultants to advance in arts administration while diversifying the consulting field.

Community Partnerships & Advocacy

Belcher has built collaborations with schools, universities, arts organizations, and faith-based communities to expand access to music education. She advocates for the role of the arts in shaping stronger, more inclusive communities, positioning music programs as both cultural and civic resources. Her ability to unite diverse stakeholders has resulted in lasting partnerships that amplify impact.

Professional Development & Training

As a consultant and workshop leader, Belcher has developed and facilitated professional development for music educators nationwide. She creates sessions that are interactive, relevant, and directly tied to classroom and ensemble realities. Her training covers curriculum design, culturally responsive teaching, arts entrepreneurship, and leadership in education.

Nonprofit Leadership & Strategic Growth

In her role as an arts executive, Belcher has developed strategic plans, overseen budgets, and led organizational growth initiatives. She has recruited and cultivated board members with expertise in fundraising, marketing, and finance, ensuring long-term sustainability. Her work emphasizes building strong governance structures and aligning programming with mission-driven goals.

Grant Writing & Fund Development

Dr. Belcher brings extensive expertise in grant writing and fund development, with a proven track record of securing resources to strengthen the arts. In just four years, she has written and managed over 20 successful grants, generating more than $300,000 in funding to support arts education, professional development, and community-based programs. Her compelling proposals emphasize the social and educational impact of the arts, earning support from foundations, state arts councils, and corporate sponsors. In addition to her own success, she equips educators and nonprofit leaders with practical tools through trainings and workshops that demystify the grant writing process and build confidence in securing funding.

Program Design & Evaluation

Belcher has designed innovative music programs that integrate technical training with leadership development, creativity, and community engagement. She prioritizes reflective evaluation, using both qualitative and quantitative measures to assess student growth, teacher effectiveness, and program outcomes. This data-driven approach has strengthened WFCYO’s case for funding and expanded its reach.

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Webinar

Grant Writing 101: From Idea to Application

What is one thing that all orchestra programs have in common? You guessed it…we all need funding!  Grants can fund personal professional development needs, needs for your students, and your affiliated community music programs. This interactive session gives teachers the information needed to create a persuasive project narrative and impact statement. Teachers will be empowered to turn their draft outline into submitted applications for current or future projects. 

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Webinar

Grant Writing 102: Writing Persuasive Proposals and Budgets 

Session Description: 

Building on insights from our previous grant writing webinar, this session will equip music educators with the skills to craft compelling grant proposals and precise budgets. Participants will learn how to develop a persuasive project narrative, create an itemized budget, and articulate a powerful impact statement. By the end of this interactive session, attendees will be empowered to transform their draft outlines into polished applications ready for submission. 

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