Christopher Fournier

Education

Major in Music Performance and Music Education, University of Hartford - The Hartt School of Music, Hartford, CT

Master of Education in Educational Administration, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, MA

Bachelor of Arts in Journalism, Music Concentration, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, MA

Bringing a dynamic blend of artistic insight, administrative expertise, and a passion for arts education, Chris Fournier joins Hartt as Director of Admissions. 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 arts began, under the guidance of esteemed Professors Jackie McLean, Nat Reeves, and Hotep Galeta.

Chris’s background includes impactful leadership roles that directly inform his work in admissions. As Director of Artist Engagement at Hartford's Got Talent!, he honed his ability to identify and nurture creative potential—a crucial skill for guiding prospective students. As Engagement and Development Director and a board member 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 & Alumni Director. In this role, Chris 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.

Chris 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, and majored in Music Performance and Music Education at the University of Hartford's Hartt School of Music. 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.