Amy Mugavero (B.M. '82, M.M. '83, violin) loves a challenge. She's energized by her new position as executive director of the National Corporate Theatre Fund, a fund-raising coalition of 11 theaters. But getting from her Juilliard training to her present career in development required seizing opportunities when they came her way and creating opportunities where none existed.

After receiving her bachelor's and master's degrees in violin at Juilliard, Amy Mugavero was hired by the state of North Carolina to perform recitals and educational programs throughout one county. "Having my little solo career and making a living with it, just out of school, I thought that was pretty good," she said. It also set the foundation of skills that she relies on today: managing a business and selling live art-her own or someone else's.

When she tired of the constant travel, she moved to Las Vegas and co-founded a chamber music society. Mugavero had a hand in all aspects of the business, but, when she felt that she had outgrown the organization, she sold it and relocated to New York. Her Juilliard connection helped her get a job as marketing manager of the New Jersey Symphony: "I went to school with people who played in the New Jersey Symphony. It was a plus in my interview that people in the orchestra committee knew who I was and remembered me."

Interested in learning about fund-raising outside of the arts, she next ran the Staten Island Chapter of the Red Cross. Although it was a great way bolster her development skills, Mugavero missed working in the arts. "The case for the Red Cross was harder for me to sell," she said. In July 2001, she became executive director of the National Corporate Theatre Fund, which she believes has a particularly bright future. "We took this opportunity of having a new executive director to rethink the entire organization." she said. "I think it has a lot more potential."

Throughout her career, Mugavero hasn't shied away from challenges, and she knows how to use an advantage (in her words) "to the hilt." Her education at Juilliard is one such advantage: "It has opened so many doors for me that I attended Juilliard. I do think it's helped me get interviews. They see it on my resume and call me just because they are interested. It's like, 'You're a violinist? What are you doing here? How did you get here?'" Mugavero also said it was important to recognize when a situation wasn't working and be willing to move on. "You're banging your head against the wall, it's not working, try something different," she urged.

Since Mugavero is so skilled at taking advantage of opportunities that come her way, the only thing more interesting than her past may be her future.

-Lisa Yelon