Today we’d like to introduce you to Stephanie Houde.
Hi Stephanie, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
Lake Nona Arts was founded as a non-profit in July 2023 after many talks with our now board about the need for performing and community arts, specifically for adults (18+) for Southeast Orlando. As a former professional musician, I was looking for a way to get involved with performing again but could not find any options close to home. With a background in music performance and music education, this was a very possible dream. We started in August 2023 with a community choir and had 35 people at our first rehearsal which was well beyond our initial hopes. We performed several times in the Lake Nona area that fall, and in the spring of 2024, added a small band with 6 instrumentalists. We continued to grow, and in January 2025 we held our first improv session, followed by a theatre workshop in fall 2025. We have had over 300 adults participate in a season of community arts with us in 2.5 years and are excited about the future!
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Our organization has run on shoe-string budget, and we have been extremely creative about keeping our costs low and community oriented. Our concerts are always free or a donation of choice, making our events accessible to the community. Our participation dues are suggested to help offset our costs. Another issue we face is that there are very limited performing venues in Lake Nona, and we know that the arts are clearly needed, but we are still working to find more options for space to continue to expand the art offerings for this part of town. Spring of Life United Methodist Church has been a wonderful partner, allowing us to rehearse weekly in their space, even though our organization is not religious and we are a diverse organization.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I have a bachelor’s of music in vocal performance and a master’s of music with a specialization in music theory and music education. This background has allowed me to help arrange music for our group, helping our volunteer musicians sound their best. I am so proud of how quickly Lake Nona Arts has grown just by community engagement. We started with all volunteers who loved the arts and wanted to build something special in our part of town. We are intentional about taking our choir to the senior living facilities multiple times in a season to bring the joy of music to them as well. We are focused on both community and the arts, something that can be a struggle for adults to find.
What sort of changes are you expecting over the next 5-10 years?
I am hopeful that community arts continue to grow. After COVID, so many arts groups struggled, but we are seeing the need for in-person, participatory community now more than ever. As humans, we need to create art, participate in artistic experiences, and have art in our lives. So much emphasis is given to children participating in the arts, but that does not stop when you graduate from school. It allows you a chance to interact with people who you might not normally cross paths with, it can help with mental health issues and loneliness, it can be so good for self-esteem and self-confidence.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://lakenonaarts.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lakenonaarts/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/p/Lake-Nona-Arts-100095447585194/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@LakeNonaArts
