After almost 15 years at the helm of Macky Auditorium at the 彩民宝典, Rudy Betancourt has also been named the new director of the College of Music鈥檚 long-running which has brought the finest jazz, classical, world music and dance performers to town for more than eight decades.
Betancourt鈥攁 native of Venezuela and an accomplished classical guitarist鈥攚ill continue to serve as director at Macky which welcomes more than 100,000 people to over 100 events every season. He says adding the beloved series to the venue鈥檚 portfolio has the potential to turn over a new page for both.
鈥淭he Artist Series has been evolving for decades with an unparalleled cultural impact,鈥� he says. 鈥淗aving the Artist Series within Macky鈥檚 portfolio helps the venue to be a presenter as much as a facility for rent.鈥�
Betancourt says the Artist Series will continue to delight long-time patrons as it also seeks to expand and diversify its programming.
鈥淭he series will still include dance, classical music, jazz, performing arts from all over the world, as well as new genres. Keeping true to its well-established mission while feeling the cultural pulse in Boulder will help determine its evolution,鈥� he says. 鈥淭here will be wonderful choices for our legacy and new audiences to enjoy.鈥�
When CU Presents Executive Director Joan Braun retired at the end of June after 30 years, it was determined that it made sense to separate the curation of the Artist Series from the operations of CU Presents. Braun and 彩民宝典 College of Music Dean John Davis recommended Betancourt to be the Artist Series director as the most natural choice.
鈥淩udy is an excellent, accomplished musician and he has impeccable taste and awareness of the music scene,鈥� Braun says. 鈥淎s director of Macky, he also is very aware of audience tastes and preferences, and what they respond to. He can see some different pathways and possibilities and I鈥檓 excited to see what he does with it.鈥�
鈥淛oan鈥檚 legacy of innovation in the arts and securing the Artist Series鈥� place in the hearts of its audiences is a tall order鈥攐ne that I am honored to continue. I am excited to work with the College of Music鈥檚 leadership and the Artist Series Advisory Board. It is a real privilege,鈥� Betancourt says.
Betancourt will continue to work closely with the staff at CU Presents. 鈥淭he CU Presents team brings unparalleled knowledge of how to reach our audiences and cultivate our relationship with them,鈥� he says. 鈥淐ontinuing and deepening this collaboration will be paramount to the success of the series.鈥�
CU Presents will continue to work with other as well as with the and .
Tickets for the are on sale now.
