The Ordway Names Dayna Martinez Artistic Director of World Music, Dance and International Children’s Festival Programming

Ordway Center for the Performing Arts announced today that Dayna Martinez has been named the new artistic director of world music, dance and international children's festival programming at the performing arts center. Most recently, Martinez has served as the Ordway's contract manager for the past eight years.

"Dayna has made valuable contributions to the Ordway's artistic successes during her time here and we are pleased to welcome her into this new role at the Ordway," says Patricia A. Mitchell, Ordway president and CEO. "Dayna embodies the Ordway's mission and strategic programming vision and her insight will make an extraordinary addition to our programming team."

Martinez has been in arts administration for more than 20 years, having spent 15 nonconsecutive years of her career at the Ordway. Martinez started her career as ticket sales manager and bookkeeper at the Friends of Chamber Music in Kansas City, MO. For her first stint at the Ordway, Martinez worked in both the box office and development from 1994 to 2002. In 2002, Martinez was named operations director for Herbert Barrett Management in New York, where she supervised and managed touring logistics for more than 100 artists. Martinez rejoined the Ordway in 2004 as contract manager, overseeing artist itineraries and execution of artist contracts for all Ordway presentations including theater, world music, dance, education and international children's festival engagements. In addition, she has been responsible for programming the Ordway's Summer Dance Series since its inception in 2010. Martinez is actively involved in Arts Midwest, APAP and IPAY. Martinez received her bachelor of arts in music at Avila College and her master of arts in performing arts management at Columbia College.

"I am honored to be named the new artistic director of world music, dance and international children's festival programming at the Ordway," says Martinez. "The Ordway is known for its strong world music, dance and children's festival programming and I aim to continue that reputation by continuing to bring the best creative artists to the Ordway community."