New President looks ahead to the future of the Center for the Performing Arts

By J. Andy Murphy

Tania Castrovede Moskalenko inside the Palladium.

Tania Castroverde Moskalenko, President/CEO of Carmel’s magnificent Performing Arts Center, early in life didn’t think she would change careers from a ballet dancer, front and center on the stage, to that of an arts administrator, working behind the scenes with budgets, artistic programming, developing adult and children’s educational music enrichment programs, and a mirage of other team management responsibilities. So what was behind her decision to step into a different pair of shoes and pursue another life path?

“I grew up in a rich atmosphere of dance and music. My family came to America from Cuba, settling in Miami when I was just six years old. My mother is a pianist and she and my father enriched our lives with a deep love of music, so it seemed only natural for me to fall in love with the arts, which led to a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in Theater and Dance from the University of Memphis. I found myself taking on leadership roles in the arts community. I discovered that arts administration was a solid fit with my music and dance experience and my passion for the arts,” Tania said with a warm smile that reflected the moment of recollection as to how it all began.

This career change became official when she joined the Buckman Performing and Fine Arts Center in 1998 (to 2005) where she established a highly-respected performing arts series focused on world music and contemporary dance. She also found the time (2000 to 2002) to serve as a commissioner for the Tennessee Human Rights Commission (appointed by the Governor of Tennessee) and served on the board of Latino Memphis.

In 2005, Tania took the reins of the Germantown Performing Arts Centre. There, she further established herself as a dynamic leader who thoroughly understood the daily challenges of presenting world-class performing arts programs and working tirelessly to expand the support of the corporate environment in the arts community.

Meeting with this unassuming woman who speaks quietly with such personal dedication and conviction for the arts immediately grabs your attention. When asked what programs might be forthcoming, she said, “This Performing Arts Center has done an amazing job of establishing a bar of excellence. I love all kinds of music – especially classical music – and I know there are artists from all over the world who would love to perform in this amazing facility. Right now, we are in the planning mode, but I can share that there are thoughts of doing more world music and dance; perhaps developing a coffeehouse music series; and definitely exploring more community engagement while creating more programs for life-long learning. We have a campus of wonderful theater locations with the Palladium, Tarkington, and The Studio Theater. It’s my responsibility to curate the best artistic seasons possible in order to create meaningful experiences for our diverse audiences.”

Tania Castroverde Moskalenko discusses the year ahead for the Center for the Performing Arts.

One such future program might include an exciting nationally-recognized storyteller who has designed a one-of-a-kind, multi-visual arts music appreciation show that uniquely demonstrates how storytelling and music presentation work together. This performer appeals not just to kids, but to adults as well. Just listening to her explain all the unique elements that this artist brings to the stage demonstrated her wonderful ability to think outside the box. I can honestly tell you that I wanted to purchase a ticket right then and there as she has that rare ability to help a person visualize what might be, even though they have no previous knowledge of the subject.

The serious side of Tania Moskalenko comes to light when discussing the phasing out of so many arts programs for our children. “Today, the support for the Arts nationwide is not what it should be,” she said. “Children need to be able to experience and be involved with the arts. Learning to dance, sing, or play an instrument can make a huge difference in their lives. It’s an opportunity that our children are losing as more and more funding for school programs is being cut,” she added. “At some point, we separated the arts from our culture,” she stated with obvious concern. “History will show this to be a mistake, so we must find a way to fund and provide these programs. We will definitely be working with our wonderful corporate community to build exciting enrichment programs that immerse our children in the arts.”

Tania has certainly accomplished this before, creating a children’s orchestra that went from just 35 to 110 students in a 2-year period. In 2011, she took 52 students, teachers, and parents on a 17-day music cultural and educational tour in China. “It was, indeed, a magical journey for the students,” she said. “They learned so much from this experience and will carry this memory with them for the rest of their lives.”

Webster’s Dictionary, in part, defines music as the art of multiple compositions and harmony working together in many different forms. We think this comes very close to describing Tania Castroverde Moskalenko’s professional side. Stay tuned for the rest of her story.

The Palladium at the Center for the Performing Arts
Seating: 1,600
Size: 151,000 square feet of
state-of-the-art concert hall located in Carmel, Indiana.

Box Office Hours: Mon-Friday: 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Saturday: NOON to 4:00 p.m.
Closed on Sunday
Phone: (317) 843-3800
Address: 1 Center Green, Carmel, IN 46032
Website: www.thecenterfortheperformingarts.org

The Feinstein Initiative
The Great American Songbook
info@feinsteininitiative.org
Archive & Gallery Hours
Monday-Friday: 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Located on the Gallery level of the Palladium
SOMETHING NEW: A new exhibit with a theme change will open in the Feinstein Gallery in the next few weeks: “Blast from the Past: Roaring Hot 20’s Jazz.” It is quite a transformation. Look for the Grand Opening in the near future.