(Isabelle LaForêt Senger)
In 2008, Isabelle LaForêt Senger, founder and executive director of High Desert Chamber Music (HDCM), recognized a gap in Central Oregon’s cultural offerings — there was no dedicated platform for classical chamber music. She took a bold entrepreneurial leap, building the organization from the ground up. Seventeen years later, her vision has grown into one of the region’s most respected arts organizations, attracting world-class performers, cultivating new audiences and proving that small cities can be major players in the arts economy.
As both founder and executive director, Senger wears many hats — visionary leader, fundraiser, administrator and program curator — in addition to her own accomplished career as a violinist. She has built HDCM like a startup, navigating all aspects of business growth: strategic planning, budgeting, marketing, sponsor cultivation, community partnerships and audience development. From negotiating contracts with international artists to managing the financial health of the nonprofit, she has consistently balanced artistic excellence with fiscal responsibility.
Raised in Southern California, Senger earned her bachelor’s and master’s degrees in violin performance and built a thriving career performing with top-tier ensembles and as a studio musician for film, television and recording projects. She is a founding member of the Crown City String Quartet, and when she relocated to Bend, she leveraged her professional network and business instincts to launch a venture that combined her artistic passion with entrepreneurial drive. Her tireless efforts as an artist, educator and administrator have led to HDCM’s continued success.
One of Senger’s key innovations has been developing programs that serve both the present and the future of the arts. Her Spotlight Chamber Players program instructs and mentors dedicated young musicians in performance and professionalism, giving them high-level training and opportunities to perform in the community. Many alumni have gone on to top conservatories, a testament to the program’s impact.
A highlight of the season is HDCM’s Annual Gala — a festive evening featuring a cocktail hour and silent auction, a performance by the Spotlight Chamber Players, dinner and the lively Dessert Dash. The Gala is both a major source of support for HDCM’s educational outreach and programming and a gathering that brings together community members, sponsors and artists in a celebratory setting that captures the spirit of the organization.
This year, HDCM Concert Series launches its most ambitious season yet. The 18th anniversary lineup features an entirely new roster of ensembles making their Central Oregon debuts — from Jordan, France, the Czech Republic and New York. “Bringing these internationally acclaimed artists to Bend has truly put our organization on the map,” she says. “We’re proud that High Desert Chamber Music is now an essential stop for classical musicians touring the Pacific Northwest.”
Through her artistry, entrepreneurial drive and unwavering dedication, Senger has not only built a respected arts organization but also reshaped the musical landscape of Central Oregon — proving that vision, passion and persistence can create lasting cultural impact, one concert at a time.
