As the executive director of the Indianapolis Children’s Choir (ICC), Don Steffy often finds himself reflecting on his own youth when he watches the young performers. His mind drifts back to the days of being a child actor, and he remembers what made him fall in love with performing.
“The commitment these young people make is incredible, and they don’t realize how hard they’re working because they’re having so much fun,” he said. “When I was their age, I didn’t realize I was making such a strong commitment. I was just totally enjoying what I was doing. When I started doing plays as a kid, I was in two or three productions a year, which meant that 9 to 10 months of my year were spent in rehearsals and performing on stage.”
Steffy went on to spend much of his life bathed in theater lights. Before stepping behind the scenes, Steffy enjoyed a long and illustrious career as a professional classical ballet dancer alongside his wife, Marylou. They performed in ballet companies across America and Europe and danced together in the original Broadway cast of Seven Brides for Seven Brothers, among many other prestigious productions.
Prior to assuming his position with the ICC, Steffy served as the artistic director/CEO for the Montgomery Ballet. He also opened and created operations for the Pike Performing Arts Center. His leadership role there led him to join the board of directors for the ICC and eventually step in as the organization’s executive director.
Steffy serves as a liaison between the community and the ICC, spreading the word about the organization, securing funds, acquiring new talent, and helping people advocate for the choir.
Each year, the ICC serves 5,500 young people across the state, including more than 2,500 singers between the ages of 18 months and 18 years who are enrolled in the organization’s weekly, comprehensive music education programs. Headquartered on the Butler University campus, these programs show the diversity of central Indiana with participants from nearly 20 counties, representing more than 359 schools and 56 school districts. The ICC holds 110 rehearsals and music classes each week at locations throughout Central Indiana.
Founded in 1986, the ICC is now a cultural staple of Indiana. The choir has performed for gubernatorial and mayoral inaugurations and many other landmark events, including Super Bowl XLVI in 2012 and the 100th running of the Indianapolis 500 in 2016. But the ICC isn’t just a Hoosier treat. The choir has performed on every continent except Antarctica.
“One of the biggest rewards of my job comes when I sit in the audience of a major concert, relax and listen to the beautiful music that these young artists can produce, knowing that behind the music is a process and personal journey that impacts a child for a lifetime,” Steffy said. “It’s really remarkable. Raising funds is also satisfying in the sense that we’re ultimately engaging businesses and individuals to invest in these kids’ futures.”
As it states in its list of core values, the ICC aims to “enrich the lives of children from all religious, racial, cultural and economic backgrounds.” And this mission goes beyond offering the gift of music. Through its philanthropic initiative, “Children Helping Children,” the ICC teams up with not-for-profit organizations throughout the state to provide children with food, clothing, school supplies, etc.
Steffy credits Sponsel CPA Group as one of the advocates that keeps the ICC running and serving Indiana through “more than just singing” — the organization’s byline.
“Whenever we have a financial question, the Sponsel team gives us insightful perspectives,” he said. “And they offer helpful advice on the best practices of soliciting financial support and connecting to communities all across Indiana.”