The Hartt School is excited to announce Christopher Fournier has been hired as Hartt’s Director of Admission and Scholarship Awards. Fournier joined the UHart community in his new role in late August.
Fournier brings a dynamic blend of artistic insight, administrative expertise, and a passion for arts education. His transformative career as an arts educator, artist, artist advocate, and administrator is defined by a deep commitment to fostering inclusive excellence and creating innovative opportunities for the next generation of artists. This role brings him full circle to the place where his own post-secondary academic journey in the arts began under the guidance of esteemed professors Jackie McLean, Nat Reeves, and Hotep Galeta.
Fournier’s background includes impactful leadership roles that directly inform his work in admissions. As Director of Artist Engagement at Hartford's Got Talent! LLC, he honed his ability to identify and nurture creative potential—a crucial skill for guiding prospective students. As a board member and Engagement and Development Director for Music and Poetry Synchronized Inc. (MAPS), he provided strategic guidance for the arts education nonprofit, expanding its network, securing funding, and enhancing its educational programming across the Northeast and Puerto Rico. His leadership was key in aligning the curriculum with National Arts Core Standards and implementing vital mental health and wellness initiatives for students and faculty.
His strong dedication to cultivating academic communities was also evident at the Pioneer Valley Performing Arts Charter Public School where he served as a founding music faculty member and later as Community Outreach and Alumni Director. In that role, Fournier forged influential connections with the Five Colleges, energized alumni engagement, initiated and led the school's 25th anniversary programming, and founded an annual Alumni Scholarship for Excellence. His pedagogical roots are further reflected in his time as a Commonwealth Honors College Lecturer at the University of Massachusetts where he co-taught a course on the profound intersections of American music, history, and philosophy.
Fournier holds a Master of Education in Educational Administration and a Bachelor of Arts in Journalism with a music concentration from the University of Massachusetts, Amherst. He began his studies in music performance and music education at The Hartt School. His dedication to community engagement is further evidenced by his affiliations, including serving as Co-Chair of the New England Public Media (NEPM) Community Advisory Board and the Holyoke Local Cultural Council and having served on the Chancellor’s Diversity Advisory Committee at UMass Amherst.