Events

Come join us as we learn about our returning exchange student's experiences abroad and next year's outbound students expectations as they gear up to begin their adventure.

In this presentation to the Ithaca Rotary Club, we will explore the vital intersection of Basic Education and Literacy with the arts, focusing on the transformative impact of arts education in fostering creativity and healing. We will highlight the Community School of Music and Arts as a beacon of this philosophy, showcasing our role in enriching the community through accessible arts programs that enhance the lives of learners of all ages. Join us to discover how integrating arts into education cultivates well-rounded individuals and strengthens community bonds.

Megan Omohundro (She, her, hers) / CSMA's Executive Director

Megan Omohundro is an enthusiastic leader who has extensive non-profit experience in interdepartmental collaboration, programming, operations, fundraising, and leveraging community partnerships. She received her B.A. in dance from Hollins University and is passionate about arts education. Megan utilizes the values of curiosity, creativity, and connectivity within her role as an artist, arts educator and non profit executive. Expanding creative exploration within any community in which she lives and finding ways to care for the individual within a collective, are her priorities. She aims to support all stakeholders at CSMA and ensure that the school is a safe, enjoyable and relevant space to grow creative expression in Tompkins County. 

Carrie Natale / CSMA's Director of Programming & Exhibits 

As the Director of Exhibits and Programming at CSMA, Carrie Natale brings her experience working in the education field and interacting with the local community.  She is a former dance and baton twirling studio owner, well-versed in connecting the community to the arts.  During the pandemic, Carrie made the bold decision to return to college.  In December 2023, she earned her Bachelor’s Degree in Fine Arts from Empire State University. She believes that the arts have a place in every aspect of our lives and is happy to help others find joy within the arts too.  Carrie wants to help create a strong sense of belonging and support for the faculty and students of CSMA.

Leslie Tabor serves as the Director of the Tompkins County Public Library. Under Leslie’s leadership, annual library visits increased by over 35,000 and annual materials use increased by over 42,000 in 2023. Leslie believes that public libraries are essential for healthy communities and that libraries are for everyone. She received her Master of Science in Library and Information Science from Syracuse University’s Information School, where she first fell in love with the Finger Lakes region after weekend trips to the Friends of the Library Booksale and downtown Apple Harvest Festival. Leslie’s career includes working with the Library of Congress, the New York Public Library, program management for the City of Norman (OK) and Cleveland County (OK), and a few years as a parking consultant. She and her husband Steven both worked for the Phoenix Public Library before moving cross-country to Ithaca with their dog, Slyde. Leslie enjoys birdwatching, Star Wars, gardening, and live music in her free time. She hopes everyone has a public library card and that they use it often!

Come and join us for our ever-popular club session when our 3 inbound students introduce themselves to our club.   Our students this year are...

• Isa from Mexico
• Filip from Sweden
• Stanley from Taiwan

We'll learn about them, their home countries, and their goals for exchange.

See you there!