At age 28, Springfield native Evan Bennett has worked across multiple organizations and multiple schools — and even across the globe.
He spent many years outside the Springfield area, but currently serves as the executive director at the Springfield Ballet.
“I left for college to study vocal performance, and I studied at Oberlin, Bennett said. “I did my master’s at Manhattan School of Music. Then I had a Fulbright to teach English in Austria for two years. And then I came back, and I wasn’t really sure what I was going to do. He eventually began waiting tables for Nicolas, but then began a new career through an internship.
“I started interning at the (Springfield Regional) Opera, and then that kind of grew into a job of its own, and I did a lot of education outreach, and fundraising, and community programing, and then that after about two years is what led to this (job),” Bennett said.
Bennett’s transfer to Springfield Ballet was compatible with his desire to be an executive director, especially with an organization that has an aim that he truly believes in.
“I truly believe in the mission of the ballet which is transforming lives through dance. It’s more specific than that but that’s the gist of it, and I think that everyone deserves a chance to be involved, and I think that it kind of is a two-way street and that’s what I enjoy about the position is finding ways to continue to serve the community through what we do. It kind of unexpectedly happened and I’m really grateful for the opportunity.”
Bennett has a true appreciation for its artistic community, and appreciates the value it puts on education.
“I think that’s why the community really works well, and every organization that really has grown here tends to understand where they fall along the education supplement. I think that’s what makes this community great, that and we just enjoy it.”
As with any position, Bennett says that the job comes with certain challenges, but that’s not necessarily a bad thing.
“It’s just the things that keep you on your toes every day — the things that I really love that are also challenges,” he said.
One of Bennett’s favorite parts of his job is making fundraisers happen, as he considers it a great opportunity for the community to come together and to work with different people
“I really like getting to know people in the community and getting out there. In any non-profit or arts organization, there is a lot of just getting out there and doing it. For anybody that wants to do it, you just have to be willing to take the bull by the horns and do it.”
