About the Conservatory

As a major asset to the community, TCFA is a 501(c)3 non-profit entity and enjoys the support of its enthusiastic members, including donors and volunteers.

The mission of the Trumansburg Conservatory of Fine Arts, Inc. is to provide affordable opportunities for exposure to the arts through education, collaboration, performance and exhibition, thereby enriching the quality of life in our community.

TCFA is housed in a magnificent and monumental example of Greek Revival architecture, built in 1851 as the Second Baptist Society of Ulysses, later named the First Baptist Church of Trumansburg. The building is on the National Register of Historic Places.
Download the TCFA 2023 Annual Report

TCFA Board of Directors

George Cook - Board President

Ellen Chase - Vice President

Eileen Heptig - Treasurer

Christine Carstensen - Secretary

Andrea Beesing - Member

Ezra Delaney - Member

Tamis Kaplan-Wright - Member

Andrea Murray - Member

Angie Nicholson - Member

Mary Ochs - Member


George Cook

System Engineer

Apple Computer, Inc.


Ellen Chase

Capital Planning Manager

Cornell University


Eileen Heptig

Assoc. Director of Administration and Development

Cornell Catholic Community.


Christine Carstensen

Project manager, retired

Planning, Design and Construction

Cornell University


Andrea Beesing

Assistant Director, retired

IT Unified Communications

Cornell University

Co-owner, Glenhaven Farm Winery


Ezra Delaney

Senior Director Library Finance and Administration

Johnson Museum of Art

Cornell University

 

Tamis Kaplan-Wright

Pre & K-12 school psychologist, retired


Andrea Murray

Lead Educator and Pre-K-12 Curriculum Development Specialist

Johnson Museum of Art

Cornell University

 

Angie Nicholson

Middle School Art Teacher, retired


Mary Ochs

Director, retired

Mann Library

Cornell University 

Our Managing Director

Dona W. Roman

Professor Emeritus of Theatre from Sul Ross State University in Alpine, Texas, Dona received her M.F.A. in Theatre (Acting) from the University of California, Los Angeles and B.F.A. in Drama (Acting/Directing) from the University of Oklahoma. She has performed in and directed over 200 productions for professional, university and community theatre. She also held Chairperson positions for the Texas Commission on the Arts and Texas Educational Theatre Association.


Dona created the Sul Ross Latino Theatre program and Pueblo Unido new works festival initially funded by a grant from the National Endowment for the Arts. She received the Sul Ross Faculty Outstanding Teaching Award in 2005.


Dona joined the Trumansburg Conservatory of Fine Arts in July, 2022. In her two years at TCFA, the Conservatory has experienced 100% growth in attendance, has raised over $700,000 toward their Capital Campaign restoration project, and has garnered collaboration with many local artists and arts organizations in Tompkins County, NY.


Let's Talk

Our dedicated board is actively involved in all aspects of planning and programming. If you have an idea for TCFA, let us know!
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