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LeAnn Binford

Director, Big Thought Institute

LeAnn Binford is an accomplished arts administrator and educator with over two decades of experience in performing arts management. She currently serves as the Senior Director of Consulting Services at Big Thought, a Dallas-based nonprofit organization focused on creative learning and closing the opportunity gap for youth.4

Binford joined Big Thought in 2007 and has held various leadership roles within the organization.1 As the Director of Big Thought Institute, she has been instrumental in:

  1. Facilitating partnerships with local, regional, and national partners1
  2. Managing grants and projects1
  3. Providing professional learning, curriculum design, and consultation services to help other nonprofits and organizations teach, develop, and create2
  4. Supporting the organization's mission to make imagination a part of everyday learning12

Prior to joining Big Thought, Binford was the Director of Education for the Dallas Symphony Orchestra (DSO), where she developed innovative programs that became industry models, such as Young Strings and DSOKids.com.1

Binford's educational background includes:

  • MA/MBA in Arts Management from Southern Methodist University
  • Bachelor and Master of Music degrees in Piano Performance from Texas Tech University1

She is actively involved in various educational and arts initiatives, including:

  • Volunteering in Dallas schools
  • Mentoring students at Booker T. Washington High School for the Performing & Visual Arts
  • Serving on the board of Voices of Change Contemporary Classical Music Ensemble
  • Participating in education committees for The Dallas Opera and Dallas Winds1

Binford is known for her expertise in connected learning, which involves linking classroom learning to real-world experiences.3 She has also been involved in initiatives to support youth resilience and mental health, collaborating with organizations like Partnerships in Education and Resilience (PEAR) to expand professional development programs for educators.4

Highlights

Nov 4 · bigthought.org
Big Thought and PEAR Partner to Support Youth Resilience
Big Thought and PEAR Partner to Support Youth Resilience
Sep 24 · bigthought.org
Big Thought Institute is Creating Great Learning Experiences
Big Thought Institute is Creating Great Learning Experiences
LeAnn Binford - Opera Conference 2017 - Sched
LeAnn Binford - Opera Conference 2017 - Sched
Dec 14 · arts.gov
Arts Education: FY 2018 Grants Panelists
Oct 7 · keranews.org
At Klyde Warren Park, Teaching Students That Learning Can Be Fun

Related Questions

What are some of the innovative programs LeAnn Binford has developed at Big Thought?
How did LeAnn Binford's role at the Dallas Symphony Orchestra influence her work at Big Thought?
What partnerships has LeAnn Binford facilitated for Big Thought Institute?
Can you provide examples of LeAnn Binford's contributions to arts education in Dallas?
What is the significance of the Learning Partners collaboration in Dallas?
LeAnn Binford
LeAnn Binford, photo 1
LeAnn Binford, photo 2
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Location

Dallas/Fort Worth Area