Testimonials

“We had an enormously productive session with Shoshana Fanizza of Audience Development Specialists, discussing both long and short term strategies for marketing, outreach and audience development. In addition to recommending several new strategies, which we plan to incorporate into our marketing and outreach efforts, she showed us ways to refine and enhance what’s already working so that it will reach even further. Shoshana is knowledgeable, prepared and a total professional. We won’t hesitate to call on her again.” —David Srebnik and Cynthia May Listener Directed Productions, Inc – producer of Virtuoso Voices

“Shoshana’s imagination is matched only by her zeal for her mission. She passionately believes in helping to enrich the lives of others and marshals all her creative energies and organizational skills toward that goal.” —Michael Butterman, Music Director

“Shoshana’s orchestration of her workshops is a good demonstration of audience development in action. People mentioned to us they heard from her the next day to thank them for coming. I think that’s an unusual and pleasing post-workshop experience!” —Charlotte LaSasso, Communications Director

“As an individual fine artist, the Audience Development workshop helped me take a hard look at how to reach people and how to keep them engaged. Performing artists have a built in "paying audience" which may be obvious but for me I have to generate my patrons one at a time. Finding a way to interest people in my art is a full time job; I found helpful tools that I had not considered during the workshop.” —Colleen Tucker, Pastel artist

“Shoshana is outstanding at reaching people in an authentic and inspiring way. She helped me get confidence in how I could really offer my services to my audience, connect with them and flourish as an organization. :)” —Brian Rosh Rocheleau, Producer/Performer of The Blind Cafe

“I enjoyed the workshop. I liked the history [of the audience] to put it in context and to emphasize that we desperately need to return to participation/interaction. I liked having a hand-out to refer back and a few samples of positive case studies. I also thought the brainstorming session was a great eye-opener for many people - how fast can a small group come up with basic ideas!!” —Barbara A. Hardesty, Founder of Da Vinci Capers

“Audience Development Specialists did what they promised and helped increase The Shoot Out Boulder’s 2008 audience.” —Michael Conti, Executive Director

“Shoshana led our board in a terrific two-hour workshop on the value of Audience Development. The presentation was tremendously helpful to us in defining our audience and has been a major influence in how we relate to our patrons. I’m convinced that our evolving work in Audience Development will lead to stronger relationships with our patrons.” —Harold Gray, Artistic Director

“Thank you, for the workshop! I think you're really onto something here.” —Claire Patton, Quake Theater

“Shoshana understands the principles of audience development and can communicate the concepts in a very accessible way. She partners well with clients helping them convert theory into everyday practice. She's a generous collaborator and sounding board and a good resource for new creative ways to develop those relationships that successfully build audiences.” —Richard Turbiak

“I was excited to finally be able to have a consultation with Shoshana of Audience Development Specialists after following and interacting with her over twitter for some time. I had recognized that I needed to consult with a professional to focus my priorities, and my session with Shoshana did just that. I presented my ideas to Shoshana, and she was able to help me prioritize my ideas. ADS gave me the direction I needed to begin teaching via Skype, and I now have inquiries coming in from all over the world. It's hard enough to manage everything as a freelance musician. I will utilize Audience Development Specialists again when I need guidance on the next step to take.” —Alexis Del Palazzo

“Working with Shoshana was the next right step for our 76 year old community chorus. She directed the organization to be patron centered and to view all patron interactions from their perspective. We experienced a 71% increase in audiences last season. That’s because we have a new viewpoint: from the outside in, instead of the inside out. It’s a continuous process, but we have experienced exciting results! Thanks Shoshana!” —Carol Olson, Executive Director of VOCI (Voices of Canton, Inc.)

“Boulder County Arts Alliance hired Shoshana to present a series of workshops. They were fabulous! Very well received and packed with useful and new information. The best part was I have been able to apply Shoshana's methods with very positive results. If increasing your audience is your goal, there's no question Shoshana will make it happen.” —Charlotte LaSasso, Executive Director of Boulder County Arts Alliance

“Our holiday concert is next weekend (2018), and I am happy to tell you that we are sold out again! Thanks again for all your help.” —Travis Mullins, Chorus Manager of River City Mixed Chorus in Omaha, NE

“Shoshana Fanizza proved invaluable to the Colorado Music Festival during her tenure as Interim Development Director. She’s a quick learner, extremely organized, and understands the importance of donor cultivation and communication. Shoshana helped us meet our development goals for 2008, and helped guide our board to a new level of engagement in fundraising.” —Catherine Underhill, Executive Director

“I booked a series of phone sessions with Shoshana because I think in order for record companies and booking agents to take us seriously we need to have a certain number of fans that we have a great relationship with who consistently come to our shows. Shoshana helped me to channel certain hazy focuses I had into more solid avenues. I also learned more about my goal, what we really want to do with our music, and how we want to affect people. We are now building a relationship by finding out what people like and want so we can see through their eyes. Shoshana’s sessions were fantastic- she followed up and she even helped promote!” —Chantelle Tibbs

“Thanks so much Shoshana. Thank you for all that you’ve done for the Theater Project – your work with us paid off tremendously, and we really are grateful. We feel like we grew a lot last year, and have a solid platform to grow even more in the coming years – that is extremely important for us as we look toward our 50th anniversary (and beyond!).” —Jim Adolf, Board President of The Theater Project (Brunswick, ME)

“I loved the sessions and as I was taking them for my newly elected position, I felt I needed some close mentoring and strict goal setting..She absolutely did listen to our needs and tailored her sessions to fit our little situation. I have bragged about the sessions to other admins in our areas. Some of the instructions were familiar as I had followed her ideas for some time. Most are obtainable over time and will be implemented this coming year as we finish our season. My time with Shoshana at ADS, I would rate it First Class!” —Joy Bingham Strimple, Board President

“Shoshana rocks! I have an artistic mind that goes all over the place and she can appreciate that while leading me to great pr. She is the person on your side when you feel like you’re alone in your small business. Thank you, Shoshana for taking my mission, personality, creative talents and channeling them into increased public awareness.” —Iman Woods, Illustrative Photographer

“Shoshana is one of those rare people who have a “can do” attitude and frequently surprise one that they can pull it off. She is determined and resourceful and she does it all with a smile.” —Jack Walker, Walker Enterprises LLLP, CMF Board of Directors