Changing Lives, Shaping Community: Norwalk Conservatory's Ricky Lee Loftus

The Norwalk Conservatory of the Arts (NoCo) is a highly competitive, two-year performing arts college a few miles from Westport. NoCo co-founder and dance department chair Ricky Lee Loftus will share how the College is changing lives as well as contributing to the revitalization of downtown Norwalk. Loftus will be in conversation with Westport Arts Advisory Committee co-chair Nancy Diamond.

The Norwalk Conservatory of the Arts is the first not-for-profit college to gain accreditation in Connecticut in 25 years. Initially launched in New York City in 2018, Broadway creatives and co-founders Ricky Lee Loftus and Danny Loftus George moved NoCo to Wall Street in Norwalk in 2022. The College enrolls students from around the country who have the desire, talent and drive to pursue a successful career on Broadway, in film, and/or television.

With 96 students, five campus buildings, and two dorms operating to date, NoCo is changing the face of downtown Norwalk. Professional arts training and proximity to NYC provide NoCo’s students with distinctive learning and performing opportunities not found elsewhere. All current NoCo students are on some form of scholarship.

In addition to Loftus and Diamond, some NoCo students will be on hand to share with the audience a bit of their trade.

Community Partner: Westport Arts Advisory Committee

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