Joseph Conyers assumes his new role of Founder & Vision Advisor; Rebecca Bolden appointed Executive Director
Philadelphia, PA (Tuesday, January 18, 2022) — Today Project 440’s Board of Directors announced Founder and Executive Director Joseph Conyers has assumed a newly created leadership role of Founder & Vision Advisor and that it has appointed Rebecca Bolden, an experienced nonprofit leader, its first full-time Executive Director. Together, alongside the Board of Directors, they will continue to expand the reach and impact of Project 440’s growing internationally acclaimed youth development programs for high school musicians.
As the Founder & Vision Advisor, Joseph Conyers will inform the organization’s vision and strategic direction. An internationally recognized musician and educator, he will serve as the lead ambassador for Project 440’s vision to provide every young person with the opportunity and tools for individual growth and community impact through music. Joseph is also Assistant Principal Bass of The Philadelphia Orchestra, Tobey and Mark Dichter Chair, sits on the double bass faculty of The Juilliard School and Temple University, is Music Director of The School District of Philadelphia’s The All City Orchestra, and the Music Director of the Young Artists Orchestra, Boston University Tanglewood Institute.
Mary Javian and Megan Speight, Co-Chairs of Project 440’s Board of Directors share, “We are delighted to welcome Rebecca Bolden as our new Executive Director and are so proud of the success of our students as well as the legacy that Joseph Conyers has created. Joseph’s new role will enable him to continue to represent Project 440 in Philadelphia, across the country and around the world as he helps spread the news of Project 440’s successes and make new connections with artists and entrepreneurs who align with our mission.”
Joseph Conyers says of his new role and Rebecca Bolden’s appointment, “For 15 years, Project 440 has been a labor of love. In that time, we've established ourselves as a respected organization of international repute. This new role will allow me to augment my complementary responsibilities as an educator, youth advocate, and performer to support Project 440’s continued growth. I'm so grateful to the Board of Directors and staff for working so diligently in stewarding this transition, and after an extensive and competitive national search, I could not be more thrilled to welcome Rebecca Bolden to the Project 440 family as our new full-time executive director. Rebecca possesses the qualities and experience to help take our organization to the next level, and I look forward to working with her to grow Project 440 in a way that reaches more young people than ever before."
Rebecca Bolden has held many leadership positions in Philadelphia’s nonprofit cultural sector. She most recently served as the Senior Director of Development at the National Constitution Center where she increased support for its education programs and exhibitions including the significant expansion of its nationally recognized youth education programs. “I am honored to join Project 440 and work with Joseph and the Board of Directors to build on the organization’s success and increase its impact at a time when providing young musicians with the tools and life skills they need to thrive is even more critical.”