Community Is the Killer App: Human Connection & Growth at TLCC 2026

A period-instrument orchestra relocates to a working-class public school, teams up with student street dancers, and suddenly Bach becomes a sold-out, standing-ovation collaboration. That real story, “Breaking Bach,” is our jumping-off point for a bigger question: how do arts and culture organizations grow by shrinking the distance between the stage and the street?We’re recording live at the 2026 Tessitura Learning and Community Conference near Washington, DC, with returning guest Andrew Recinos, President and CEO of Tessitura. We talk about what arts leaders are feeling right now: ongoing uncertainty, higher costs, and more careful consumer spending, plus the surprising optimism that shows up when creative teams commit to new ways of working. Andrew lays out why “community” can’t just be a department or a calendar of one-off events. When it becomes the mission, it changes fundraising, relevance, and the story people tell about who the arts are for.We also revisit technology for live experiences: ticketing, customer service, and the temptation to automate away the very human moments that build loyalty. We get honest about AI ethics, bias, environmental impact, and what it means to innovate with integrity. We wrap up with a lightning round of 2027 growth opportunities, from immersive and interactive experiences to finding “shadow audiences,” measuring wellness benefits, and having the discipline to say no.Subscribe for more conversations on fandom, audience engagement, and the future of live events, then share this with a colleague and leave a review. What’s one way your organization could reduce distance and build real belonging?Recorded Tuesday, August 5th, 2026Host: Peter Yagecic, Founder, A Mind at Work ConsultingGuest: Andrew Recinos, President and CEO, TessituraLightning Round Guests: Fernando Masterson, Director of Marketing, New York City CenterToni Garcia, Marketing Coordinator, The San Francisco SymphonyBrad Dunn, Vice President of Marketing & Communications, Lyric Opera of ChicagoMatt Zarracina, CEO & Co-Founder, True TicketsParker Krug, Director of Partner Development - Broadway, EBGJill Robinson, CEO & Owner, TRG ArtsProducer: Heather Gault, Event Operations Manager, Situationhttps://situationinteractive.comhttps://amindatworkconsulting.comhttps://www.tessitura.com