Kristine Purrington, Executive Director

Kristine Purrington's passion for music emerged early. In elementary school, she played piano and later took up the French Horn. As she grew a little older, creative endeavor found a complimentary outlet through service to her school community. She says of her high school years, "I was into everything, student government, Future Business Leaders of America, drama and sports.

So, it's no surprise that her education and career path have taken similar turns. Ms. Purrington earned her Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of New Mexico with a major in Music History and a minor in English. After graduating, her respect for the arts and public service inspired her to seek jobs that supported the best in those areas. Ms. Purrington has worked in the development department for The Santa Fe Opera and New Mexico First, a public policy organization. She also worked in public relations and marketing for the New Mexico Symphony Orchestra, the Albuquerque AIDS Walk.

Since 1997, Ms. Purrington has served as Executive Director of the Albuquerque Youth Symphony Program where she coordinates fundraising, public relations and marketing, supervises staff volunteers and serves on the Board of Directors as an ex-officio member.

Ms. Purrington's concern about her community and the need for arts education has brought compelled her to volunteer her time with other organizations. Currently, she serves as Vice President on the Youth Orchestra Division Board of Directors of the League of American Orchestras, and on the Annual Fund Committee at Bosque School. Kristine has also served on the New Mexico Advisory Council on Arts Education and as Chair of the Fine Arts Committee at Comanche Elementary School.