Today we’d like to introduce you to Theresa Smith-Levin.
Hi Theresa, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
I was with a group of friends recently and we were discussing what as children, each of us wanted to be when we grew up. And when it came to be my turn, I felt silly answering because I didn’t want to be an astronaut or a scientist or a doctor; I wanted to be a performer, a producer and a voice teacher. I can’t remember ever wanting anything else.
I was forcing my cousin and sister to be in improvised shows I produced at family gatherings by the age of six. I was in chorus by the time I was in second grade and I was fortunate enough to attend Winter Park High School where I was a part of one of the finest choral programs in the country and studied with a phenomenal voice teacher. I studied music education for undergrad at UCF and vocal performance at the University of Miami for my Master’s degree. My plan had been to be a voice teacher and performer and to perhaps music direct here and there; but the universe had other plans for me.
My best piece of advice is to follow the breadcrumbs the universe leaves for you. When I founded Central Florida Vocal Arts in 2012, it happened (literally) overnight when a show I and my voice student had been cast in was suddenly canceled. I woke up that night with the unshakeable feeling that I had to produce this show. I had never produced a show; I had certainly never a filed 501c3 paperwork or run a nonprofit but I took a leap of faith, trusted my intuition and now, nearly ten years later, I lead an impactful and thriving organization that uses our platform in the arts to build a better community across sectors. CFVA has become my calling and allows me to fulfill what I believe is my life purpose, which is to use my leadership talent and passion for the arts to do real good for as many people as possible.
Since founding the nonprofit organization, I have continued to perform and teach with various organizations, including the Orlando Fringe Festival, CFCArts, Bay Street Players, Valencia College and the Dr. Phillips Performing Arts Center among others. Since 2009, I have also run a thriving voice studio with students who have won countless awards and study at the most elite conservatories and universities across the country. I have also gotten married to my favorite person, Brent and together we have two young children (Bodhi, 4 and Beckham, 2). I am a graduate of Leadership Winter Park Class 29 and was appointed to the Women in Music Leadership Conference by United Arts of Central Florida in 2019.
I work to increase the visibility and empowerment of women executives by living my life as an example that female professionals really can be dedicated wives and mothers while also being impactful community leaders.
I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle free, but so far would you say the journey have been a fairly smooth road?
HAHAHAHAHA, no. Remember when I mentioned that I founded a nonprofit organization overnight with zero training?
I have learned *everything*, I mean everything, about nonprofit leadership – from compliance, to grant writing, to fundraising, to producing, to programming, to staffing – by doing. The beauty of this is that today, there is no task too big or too small that I do not know how to do. I am capable of standing in the gap and supporting my team whenever needed.
I was also a 26 years old female founder with no nonprofit training and getting funders to take me seriously or to sit down to have conversations around organizational vision or major gifts was quite literally impossible. So, I created an organizational structure where the vast majority of our income was service-driven revenue.
When the pandemic began last year, I was terrified. I had built CFVA to be self-reliant by focusing on this service-driven revenue and then when our ability to deliver services as we had traditionally done was compromised, I had no idea how we would survive. Again though, I trusted the breadcrumbs and took the leap.
We pivoted to online streaming and returned to donor and grant acquisition with new fervor. As a 34 years old Executive Director with a decade of experience and a record of impact, donors and funders were far more willing to support our work at that time and now, we are thriving in a way we never have before!
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I am a singer, actor, voice teacher, producer, nonprofit leader, Executive Director, producer and music director.
I like to think I am known for bringing my strategic and inspirational leadership to all that I do. Whether I am leading my team, teaching a voice lesson or speaking to a community group about the work of CFVA, I like to think that I leave people feeling better about themselves. I hope to plant seeds of confidence, leadership and empowerment and that each of the people I touch lean into becoming the best version of themselves. I want people to believe in their own artistry and power to make a difference.
So, before we go, how can our readers or others connect or collaborate with you? How can they support you?
The mission of Central Florida Vocal Arts and our sister organization Opera del Sol is to create a better Central Florida community through music performance, appreciation and education.
We believe that performing arts can be impactful across all sectors, even in industries that may seem disparate from arts and culture. In fact, unexpected collaborations are my favorite! We want to innovate and do things that have never been done.
Like every nonprofit, we always need more volunteers and donors. As a small organization, we have outstanding impact return on investment. Donations really do make a difference!
Learn more about our work at www.CentralFloridaVocalArts.org and www.OperadelSol.org. Please reach out to me at Theresa@centralfloridavocalarts.org if you are passionate about our work and want to learn more about getting involved.
Contact Info:
- Email: theresa@centralfloridavocalarts.org
- Website: www.CentralFloridaVocalArts.org
- Instagram: instagram.com/CFLVocalArts
- Facebook: Facebook.com/CFLVocalArts
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC24cX1GpVn0bXy8-4BjfEoQ
- Other: www.OperadelSol.org
Image Credits
PC Gontran Durocher, Benjamin Jimenez and Sheri Mazariegos
