Dear OCSA Families,   I hope this message finds you well and that you are looking forward to all of our upcoming end-of-year events! As you know, OCSA will be launching a brand-new program in the fall of 2022, the Arts & Enterprise Conservatory. In preparation for this exciting new beginning, OCSA’s Administrative and Executive Teams have been searching for a director to lead the conservatory and develop the Arts & Enterprise curriculum. I would now like to take this opportunity to provide an update on the results of this search. I am thrilled to announce the appointment of Ms. Allison Bushman as the new Director of the Arts & Enterprise Conservatory, effective July 1, 2022.

Ms. Bushman comes from an impressive background in education, the arts, and business development. Her professional career is rooted in education as a credentialed teacher and coach in Utah. Ms. Bushman transitioned from education to the world of business development, where her more than 20 years of experience include work in branding, marketing, event planning, and sales with various startup companies. She worked to develop innovative programs and practices with Fortune 500 companies, and she impacted the growth of companies that were recognized with Entrepreneur of the Year and Business Leaders awards. On the artistic side, Ms. Bushman is an accomplished pianist and has maintained a successful private music studio for the past decade. A number of her private students have gone on to sign with music labels.  Ms. Bushman joined the OCSA Administrative Team in 2021, serving as arts and academic support, as well as leading the execution of numerous forward-facing events, including Welcome Week, Preview Days, and more. Ms. Bushman received a Bachelor of Science degree in secondary education from Utah Valley University. Ms. Bushman's education, professional experience, and passion for OCSA make her the ideal person to spearhead this new conservatory.

A Message From Ms. Bushman  I am beyond excited to move into this role as Arts & Enterprise Conservatory Director. If my time at OCSA has taught me anything, it is that our students are bright, unique, talented, and full of curiosity. My hope, as the new director, is to provide a safe space and unique education for students to discover their passions, spark their curiosity, and build their confidence. I am eager to share my experience in business and lead with my heart, which has always been rooted in education. To quote Eleanor Roosevelt, “The future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams.” It is my job to help students learn how to accomplish their aspirations and to DREAM BIG. Thank you for allowing me to share this journey with them.

The OCSA Administrative Team will be working closely with Ms. Bushman throughout the remainder of the spring semester and into the 2022-2023 school year in order to ensure a successful conservatory launch. I am confident that the Arts & Enterprise Conservatory will thrive under Ms. Bushman’s direction, and I look forward to witnessing the valuable expertise she will bring to this position. As always, we appreciate your support of the school’s continued growth and development. Please join me in congratulating Ms. Bushman and welcoming her to this new role at OCSA! Sincerely, Maria Lazarova, D.M.A. Dean of Arts Orange County School of the Arts  Cc: All OCSA faculty and staff

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