Suzanne Fassett-Wright

She/Her

Director of Arts Education

Performing and Visual Arts — Programming

About Suzanne

Suzanne serves as the Director of Arts Education at Chautauqua Institution, responsible for the development and implementation of arts education programs in the K-12 public schools. Since her arrival in 2017, over 20,000 students have participated in these programs by writing plays, drumming their hearts out, singing their lungs out and overall, sharing their unique selves through artistic expression. Suzanne also serves as the operations manager for the School of Music, combining her skill sets in education and event production to aid in envisioning compelling performance and learning experiences for pre-professional musicians who attend during the Summer Assembly.

Prior to her time at the Institution, Suzanne taught in K-12 and higher education settings as a percussionist, conductor and music historian. Trained as a classical percussionist, she was a member of the Evansville Philharmonic Orchestra for 20 years and also enjoyed a performing career as pit musician for musicals on drum set. She was in high demand as guest conductor, clinician and adjudicator throughout Illinois and Indiana.

Why did you choose to work at Chautauqua? What do you like about working at Chautauqua?

I believe that exploring the best in human values expands far beyond the gates of Chautauqua Institution, and the aim of Chautauqua Arts Education to take that mission out into the world is vitally important. Arts Education experiences empower kids to begin that exploration by looking within themselves and sharing their humanity with the world, through the arts.

Current and Former Volunteer or Board Roles

• John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts Partners in Education Advisory Team, member effective February, 2022 / Cornell Cooperative Extension – Chautauqua Board of Directors, member effective January 2022
• Chautauqua Leadership Network Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Exploratory Committee, former member

Professional Affiliations

National Association for Music Education, member

Personal Interests

I enjoy spending time with my husband and kids, reading with them, exploring nature or spending an evening playing Skyrim. And – I’m a new grandmother and am pretty addicted to loving on my grandson!