SADIE BRIGHTMAN

Founder + Executive Director

-What makes our mission meaningful to you?
Music has always inspired me. Music has been a throughline, my constant companion, and the way in which I make sense of the world and my place in it. I have always been motivated to play music, but also equally motivated to share my enthusiasm with others. I taught my first piano lesson when I was sixteen and never looked back. I learned over time that my own playing and learning was balanced by teaching others and passing on what I learned. The vision to create MCMC was rooted in my belief that we are stronger together, creatively speaking. I knew that my students would thrive in a community of learners. I knew that I would feel inspired by colleagues teaching amongst each other. I knew that great things would come from building the ecosystem for music learning to flourish. I knew that our community would feel proud, bonded, and joyful with the consistent presence of music in our lives. The manifestation of this vision is one of the greatest joys of my life, and I’m thrilled that our community has responded with such support and enthusiasm. We have built MCMC together.

-What are some of your prior board leadership experiences?
In the founding of MCMC, I simultaneously created my first board seat. I have learned so much from being part of the team that has guided MCMC’s development. I look forward to continuing this community work, and welcome opportunities to learn more about how the arts can serve our community. I will continue to ask: how can the integration of the arts into our civic plans and decisions shape our future? How can we ensure the best possible outcomes for our students? How can we provide the most enriching experiences for our musicians and audiences? How can we best innovate for the future of music learning?

-What skills, connections, resources, and expertise do you have to offer and are willing to use on the behalf of the organization?
I lead from a place of passion for the arts, in particular the art of music, having lived a life of dedication and service to the art-form. I believe that music is a gift that we all can access and learn from. Music has had a transformational impact on my life, and so many that I’ve had the privilege of working with during my career as educator, instructor, and administrator of the arts. Leading MCMC is a natural outgrowth of my talents and passions, bringing together a range of skills to lead the organizational vision I’ve long imagined. I like to think of myself as a walking example of the potential transference of musical skills into broader service in society. My training in music, including a BA in music and an MM in piano performance, has prepared me to design systems and structures, feel compassion and empathy, listen well, creatively problem solve, and keep my eyes on the larger picture while refining the details. I love to encourage others to recognize these skill areas developing in them as they pursue music over time.

-What motivates you and how are your personal aspirations enhanced by board service?
I am moved by artistic expression. I am motivated to model creative discipline and expression, leading others to see the gift they can provide themselves and the world through music. I am motivated to give people specific guidance that will be most relevant to their growth and development at any particular stage. I am motivated by holistic musical learning, seeing how we operate as individuals and as part of a collective. I am motivated to facilitate a dynamic and creative environment for musicians to pass on the love of their craft to their students. What does dynamic and creative mean? We’re not afraid to take risks. We’re open to making mistakes and scratching our heads before we try again with open minds. We’re in it for the connection, the humor, the shared experiences. We’re clear about the end point, but flexible in determining how we get there. We see the value in each individual and what they offer to the world. We are humble and resourceful as we figure out how to best serve each individual. We welcome experiments, knowing that our detours will yield surprising rewards. We align with excellence, which is simply the best we know from what we have learned at any given time. We never forget that we PLAY music, and we keep that spark alive in ourselves to be able to pass it on to others.