After more than 25 years of serving as executive director of the Uptown Music Collective, founder Dave Brumbaugh will step down from the position and transition into a role that he said will allow him more time to focus on the work that inspired him so long ago.
Effective Sept. 1, Brumbaugh will serve as the school’s music director. Long-time staff member Jared Mondell has accepted the position of executive director.
In his new role, Brumbaugh will focus more fully on his love of music, teaching and helping young people develop the artist within themselves.
“What excites me most is the opportunity to once again put the majority of my focus and energy into the work I love most—being in the room with students, inspiring them, challenging them, and helping them reach further and higher than they thought they could,” he said.
According to Brumbaugh, the transition had been discussed for several years, first presented to the school’s board of directors in 2020 as part of the organization’s five-year strategic plan. Although the pandemic delayed the move, Brumbaugh said he is now in a position to pass the reins to Mondell.
“Jared has been an integral part of the UMC for many years, first as a student and later serving as admissions director, marketing director and, most recently, assistant executive director,” Brumbaugh said. “His deep understanding of the organization, commitment to its mission and longstanding relationships with our students, families, donors and partners make him uniquely prepared to lead the Collective forward.”
The duo, Brumbaugh added, has worked together for years to build and strengthen the Collective, and he looks forward to collaborating closely in their respective roles.
Mondell first joined the Collective as a student in one of Brumbaugh’s early theory classes. As a vocalist, he was asked to help with recitals and later began participating in the school’s major performance program. After graduating from college in 2007, he accepted a position as the school’s admissions director. As he moved through the ranks at the Collective, Mondell has had a hand in virtually every corner of the school, both literally and figuratively: three locations, a capital campaign, a pandemic and thousands of students — Mondell has been there for it all.
“I’ve seen the Collective through every major milestone up until this point, whether it was our first major performances, moving into a new building, selling out the Community Arts Center, taking the students to perform in Texas, and so many more — I’ve been a part of them all,” Mondell said. “I was truly inspired after seeing the 25th anniversary performance last November, seeing all the lives the organization has touched, not just the myriad of returning alumni, but the community as a whole.”
Although the responsibilities of the school’s key leaders are changing, several things remain fully in place — the mission and values of the Uptown Music Collective and a staff that is committed to continuing its support of the school’s future.
“The mission has always been the North Star of the Collective, no matter what we do,” Mondell said. “Whether it’s an idea for a new program or any decision being made, we always look back at the mission and say, ‘ok, how does this next move serve the mission?’ Right now, my vision is to continue to grow, expand and build upon the first 26 years with the same dedication, the same energy and the same commitment to bring music education and amazing musical experiences to our students and the community.”
None of that would be possible without the Collective’s instructors and staff, he added, many of whom have been serving alongside Brumbaugh for nearly as long as Mondell.
“The staff members that we have had for years — Willi Ort (Technical Director), Brendan Mondell (Operations Director), Breanne Eisenhardt-Kramer (Multimedia Manager), and Adrienne Wertz (Development Coordinator) — are essential to not only the day-to-day operations, but the longevity of the organization,” Mondell said. “We could not do it without them.”
The school has kicked off its 2026-2027 school year and soon will announce a performance season lineup that Mondell said will entice long-time fans of the Collective’s live performances and attract those who have not yet had the opportunity to see one of the school’s highly anticipated live performances on the Journey Bank Community Arts Center stage.
“Performance reveals the power of the lessons, classes and countless hours of rehearsal,” Brumbaugh said. “When students take the stage, they demonstrate what they have learned, discover where further growth is possible and show audiences the musicians they are becoming through their passion and hard work.”
“Our performance season—and every performance we present—is the culmination of that educational process,” Mondell said. “Lessons, classes and workshops all interweave, and this year’s lineup will exemplify how those elements work together. Save the dates; the first show is set for November 20 & 21!”
