Bio
Darby Swab
she/her/hers
I currently reside in Philadelphia, PA, where I am have recently completed my Master of Science in Arts Administration & Museum Leadership (AAML) at Drexel University. I have previously served as the Graduate Assistant to the program, where I was the editor of ArtsLine, the quarterly AAML newsletter, and administration for the program Facebook and Instagram.
I earned my Bachelor's degree in Environmental Studies from the University at Buffalo, Buffalo, NY, and began my graduate studies in Arts Management. In Buffalo, I worked alongside local arts organizations including Arts Services Initiative of WNY, the Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra, and in the UB Department of Music at Slee Hall.
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I play French Horn and have playing experience in a range of ensembles, from orchestra to marching band. I like to spend my free time finding art around the city, eating vegan donuts, attending local music events, and walking dogs with the app Wag.
Academic Experience
MS, Arts Administration & Museum Leadership at Drexel University, Philadelphia, PA (In Progress)
Master of Science, Arts Administration & Museum Leadership
Drexel University, Philadelphia, PA
Sept. 2018 - Dec 2019
Master of Arts, Arts Management
University at Buffalo, The State University of New York
2016-2018
Bachelor of Arts, Environmental Studies
University at Buffalo, The State University of New York
2014-2016
Associates Degree, Liberal Arts, minor in Music
Onondaga Community College, Syracuse, NY
2012-2014
Past Experience
Work and Internships
Full-time Receptionist, Settlement Music School
Sept 2019 - January 2020
Serves as the main point of contact for current and potential students and their families
Serves as the first point of contact for faculty, answering questions about administrative policies, specific student accounts, hall/studio availability
Monitor the building, helping to screen visitors by managing a visitor log as well as using a series of security cameras
Manage registration appointment schedules for both Branch Coordinators
Process payments for classes, private lessons, and day care programs
Program Graduate Assistant, Drexel University Arts Administration & Museum Leadership Program
September 2018 - July 2019
Social media marketing: Created social media schedule for AAML Facebook page, including paid advertising, maintaining Instagram page, and program website on Weebly
Compiled local job listings and distributing to students weekly
Editor of Quarterly newsletter, Artsline
Planed and implemented student trips to Washington, D.C., arranged housing and travel accommodations for 14 students
Selected and interviewed potential successors
Host, Big Ditch Brewing Company
May 2017 - June 2018
Oversaw front of house operations for a popular local craft brewery in downtown Buffalo, NY.
Main duties included seating patrons logically, controlling waitlist, selling merchandise, food running and table bussing, and maintaining an overall pleasant atmosphere.
Student Assistant, Slee Hall Concert Office
September 2016 - June 2018
Worked as Crew Chief and stage manager at the University at Buffalo's classical and contemporary concert hall
Managed a small team of 2-3 student employees per event to produce 8-10 events per month
Wrote press releases, programs, and marketing materials to encourage performance attendance
Maintained positive bonds with performers and patrons
Practiced timeliness, interpersonal relationships, and customer service skills
Managed Box Office sales, including handling of ticket sales and cash transactions
Spark Awards Intern, Arts Services Initiative of Western New York
February 2018 - May 2018
The Spark Awards is an annual awards party honoring outstanding individuals and organizations in the Western NY arts community with food, open bar, entertainment, an art raffle, awards ceremony and more. I assisted with this event in 2017 and 2018, becoming more involved in the event planning and management process in 2018.
I have assisted board members in selection of awards recipients, crafted ask letters for donations and sponsorships, distributed sponsor tickets, and worked day of to provide guest services.
Street Team Member, Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra
May 2016 - August 2016
This internship involved attending the Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra's free summer concert series and encouraging patrons to sign up for an email list in exchange for a chance to win a free "Flex Pass" for the upcoming season.
I also did office work including preserving advertising material from local papers, notating RSVPs for the opening night gala, grant research, and updating patron information.
Sales Associate, Aerie
September 2014 - July 2017
Working at Aerie was a valuable customer service learning opportunity due to their "friends first" approach.
Duties included expert bra fittings, styling advice, cash transactions, inventory management, and maintaining a pleasant store atmosphere
Make Music Day 2017
June 21, 2017
Make Music Day is a FREE world wide celebration of music that started in France in 1982 as the Fête de la Musique. Arts Services Initiative of WNY launched Make Music Day in Buffalo and Niagara Falls on June 21, 2016. Music workshops for children and play-alongs are hosted throughout the day.
My duties for this event included contacting performers and venues, social media promotion, attending concerts and play alongs and encouraging participation, and taking photos.
SPARK Awards
2017, 2018
The Spark Awards is an annual awards party honoring outstanding individuals and organizations in the Western NY arts community with food, open bar, entertainment, an art raffle, awards ceremony and more.
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My duties have included assisting board members in selection of awards recipients, soliciting donations and sponsorships, distributing sponsor tickets, and directing guests during the event.
June in Bufalo
2017, 2018
Presented by the Department of Music and The Robert and Carol Morris Center for 21st Century Music, June in Buffalo isa festival and conference dedicated to composers that takes place at the University at Buffalo. June in Buffalo offers an intensive schedule of seminars, lectures, workshops, professional presentations, participant forums and open rehearsals as well as afternoon and evening concerts open to the general public and critics.
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I worked this event for 3 consecutive years as part of my job in the Slee Concert Office. My duties included ushering, box office sales, back stage management of concerts including the Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra, organization of receptions, and providing performers, staff, and patrons a pleasant ​experience.
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Contact
Interested in learning more? Want to buy me an oat milk latte and talk about music?
Please reach out, I love to chat!
Philadelphia, PA
