Holly Mulcahy

After hearing Scheherazade at an early age, Holly Mulcahy fell in love with the violin and knew it would be her future. She currently serves as concertmaster of the Wichita Symphony Orchestra. She spends her summers at the celebrated Grand Teton Music Festival. Believing in music as a healing and coping source, Holly founded Arts Capacity, a charitable 501(c)3 which focuses on bringing live chamber music, art, artists, and composers to prisons. Arts Capacity addresses many emotional and character-building issues people face as they prepare for release into society. Holly performs on a 1917 Giovanni Cavani violin, previously owned by the late renowned soloist Eugene Fodor, and a bespoke bow made by award winning master bow maker, Douglas Raguse.

Stop Crushing the Arts: Why tearing down each other’s work is holding us all back

Fri, Jan 2, 2026 by Holly Mulcahy

Leadership in the arts is rarely tidy. The work is personal, and the margin for error is thin. Timing matters more than we like to admit. You can do everything right and still miss the moment. Anyone who’s been in this field long enough knows that pressure. This goes for managers and musicians alike. Because of that, how we treat each other matters. Maybe more than anything else. Especially now, when political forces are actively working to temper and restrict the arts. In college violin studio classes (where we performed pieces we … Continue Reading

Why Don’t You Smile?

Sat, Nov 8, 2025 by Holly Mulcahy

The Arizona State Prison Complex in Winslow is not your typical concert hall, yet every visit reminds me how alive and resonant music can be, a lifeline to humanity even behind walls and barbed wire. Recently, a small ensemble from Arts Capacity’s partner orchestra, The Flagstaff Symphony, joined me for a program spanning Bach, Chaminade, Rachmaninoff, Claude Bolling, and living composers Connor Chee and Herman Beeftink. The program opened with Seasons for Flute and Piano: Spring by Herman Beeftink. Amy Fu Schuck’s flute danced lightly above Michelle Wachter’s sparkling piano lines. Even … Continue Reading

Trust: The Currency We Overlook

Sat, Sep 13, 2025 by Holly Mulcahy

Trust is a commodity in the classical music business. Not just in the obvious places like programming, performances, and leadership, but in the intangible spaces that either elevate or erode our experiences. For example, a conductor programs a work that is perceived as thorny, challenging, maybe even off-putting to some audiences. Do they already have trust built up with their community? Have they nurtured enough curiosity that a listener will say, “This likely is not my usual cup of tea, but I will give it a shot”? Trust from an audience does … Continue Reading

Art Isn’t an Excuse

Mon, Jun 30, 2025 by Holly Mulcahy

As someone deeply immersed in the world of music and the arts, I have witnessed a persistent myth that talent and creativity somehow excuse us from professionalism; that being an artist means we don’t need to be organized, prepared, or reliable. That the art itself will cover for any missed details or broken promises. But art isn’t an excuse. It’s not a reason to miss a deadline. It’s not a reason to be difficult to reach. It’s not a reason to be vague about expectations or passive about outcomes. If anything, art … Continue Reading

But Who Will Take Care of Your Husband?

Sat, May 3, 2025 by Holly Mulcahy

You wouldn’t think that adding another part-time orchestra job would prompt the question, “But who will take care of your husband?”…and yet, it did. The comment immediately challenged my value and worth, not just as a musician, but as a professional woman. It’s a question men almost never face, no matter how many roles they take on or how far they travel for their work. The good news? My husband is more than capable. And more importantly, my choices are my own. Speaking with fellow busy women in the arts was validating. … Continue Reading