Susan Caminez of the Chattanooga Symphony and Opera is among an international cohort of 35 orchestra and arts professionals selected to participate in Essentials of Orchestra Management, the League of American Orchestras’ premier leadership development program. The 10-day program, running from July 22 to July 31, is presented in collaboration with Juilliard Extension and will take place in New York at Juilliard’s campus at Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts.
“For 25 years, Essentials of Orchestra Management has been a pathway to success in the orchestra field, with so many leaders in our industry having participated in this cherished program,” said League of American Orchestras’ President and CEO Simon Woods. “Having 10 intensive days to focus solely on orchestras is such a rare and valuable opportunity—it's inspiring to have this time together to hear from experts, discuss the state of the field, and envision the future.”
“I am deeply honored to be selected from such a diverse pool of international talent,” says Ms. Caminez. “This opportunity was made possible through the generous support of our donors and board members, and I’m incredibly grateful. I’m confident that the insights and connections gained through this experience will be invaluable to the CSO.”
America’s flagship program for early- and mid-career orchestra and arts professionals, Essentials of Orchestra Management offers a pathway to future leadership and career success; since its inception in 2000, over 600 individuals have participated in the program. Now in its 25th year, Essentials connects, inspires, and challenges tomorrow’s leaders, providing them the knowledge they need to enhance their careers, said officials.
Topics will include artistic planning and leadership; development, finance and strategic planning; equity, diversity and inclusion; education, community engagement, human resources and organizational culture; leadership and governance; advocacy, marketing and communications; digital and electronic media; orchestra operations and negotiations; and orchestras’ future. The program also includes two Festival Orchestra of Lincoln Center concerts and a tour of David Geffen Hall, as well as peer discussions, mentoring opportunities and social events.
This year’s program is taught and directed by a faculty comprised of expert leaders of the orchestra field and beyond, including:
Faculty Leadership:
Scott Faulkner (Faculty Director) Principal Bassist, Reno Philharmonic and Reno Chamber Orchestra; Former Executive Director, Reno Chamber Orchestra; Director, League Alumni Network
Laura Reynolds, Vice President, Impact and Innovation, San Diego Symphony
John McCann, Founder and President, Partners in Performance
League Leadership:
Simon Woods, President and CEO
Caen Thomason-Redus, Vice President, Inclusion and Learning
David Styers, Director, Learning and Leadership Programs
Juilliard Leadership:
John-Morgan Bush, Dean of Juilliard Extension, Juilliard
Alex Jackson, Special Projects Coordinator, The Juilliard School
Guest Faculty:
Lisa Brown Alexander, CEO, LBA Holdings & Founder, Nonprofit HR
Jennifer Barlament, Executive Director, Atlanta Symphony Orchestra
Michelle Miller Burns, President and CEO, Dallas Symphony Orchestra
Vince Ford, Senior Vice President, Digital Strategy and Innovation, Curtis Institute of Music
Doug Hagerman, Immediate Past Board Chair, League of American Orchestras
Christopher Harrington, President and CEO, Ordway Center for the Performing Arts
Rei Hotoda, Music Director and Conductor, Fresno Philharmonic Orchestra
Ann SunHyung Kim, Director, KD SCHMID
Alex Laing, President and Artistic Director, Gateways Music Festival
Christina Littlejohn, Executive Director, Arkansas Symphony Orchestra
Katie McGuinness, Chief Artistic Officer, Dallas Symphony Orchestra
Anwar Nasir, Executive Director, Louisiana Philharmonic Orchestra
Heather Noonan, Vice President of Advocacy, League of American Orchestras
Jessica Phillips, Musician, Metropolitan Opera
Faith Raiguel, Former CFO, LA Opera; Board Member: Ojai Music Festival, Silk Road
Paul Scarbrough, Principal, Akustiks, LLC
Jessica Schmidt, Principal Consultant, Orchestrate Inclusion
Alexa Smith, Associate Artistic Director, The Public Theater
Matías Tarnopolsky, President and CEO, New York Philharmonic
Bill Thomas, David Geffen Hall Project Executive, New York Philharmonic
Michelle Zwi, Director of Orchestra Operations and Touring, Philadelphia Orchestra
The 2025 Essentials of Orchestra Management cohort is comprised of professionals and volunteers working at American and Canadian orchestras, conservatories and arts organizations, as well as career-changers interested in exploring orchestra management positions. Participants include:
Jeremiah Adriano, Director of Artistic Planning, New York Youth Symphony
David Afdahl, Donor Stewardship Manager, Minnesota Orchestra
Elizabeth Alvarado, Executive Director, Boulder Symphony
Christopher Anderson, Vice President of Marketing & Sales, Richmond Symphony
Sydney Apel, Assistant Orchestra Personnel Manager, San Francisco Symphony
Ellen Armour, Director of Marketing & Development, Fresno Philharmonic Association
Derek Beckvold, Managing Director, Boston Philharmonic Orchestra (BPO)
Dwayne Burrell, Associate Orchestra Conductor, Inner City Youth Orchestra of Los Angeles
Susan W. Caminez, Executive Director, Chattanooga Symphony & Opera
Will Crockett, Associate Director of Marketing, San Francisco Symphony
Bao Dinh, Faculty Assistant, New York University School of Law
Juan Antonio Gallastegui Roca, Executive Director, Bremerton Symphony Association
Laura Goodall, Senior Manager of Annual Giving, Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra
Glyne A. Griffith II, Vice President of EDI & Social Impact, Dallas Symphony Association
Lydia Grimenstein, Senior Manager of Donor Engagement, Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra
Dan Howard, Executive Director, Newport Symphony Orchestra
Eric Huber, Principal Timpanist, New Bedford Symphony Orchestra; Senior Director, Education & Professional Services, The Predictive Index
Jessica Ishmael, President & CEO, Southwest Michigan Symphony Orchestra
Ella Kim, Marketing Manager, Yakima Symphony Orchestra; Ensemble Leader and Teaching Artist, Yakima Music en Acción
Young Kim, Major & Planned Gifts Associate, Minneapolis Institute of Art
Maria Kusior, Digital Media Specialist, San Diego Symphony
Kyle A. Lamb, Learning Programs Manager, Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra
Cassidy Lester, Executive Director, Symphony of the Mountains
D'Anté McNeal, Special Projects Coordinator, Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra
Daniel Meyers, Executive Director, Elgin Youth Symphony Orchestras
Vanessa Neri, Senior Manager of Learning Programs, Seattle Symphony
Brandon Norton, Director of Operations, Tallahassee Symphony Orchestra
Ellen O'Neill, Operations and Personnel Manager, The Juilliard School
Tai Oney, Manager, Inclusion & Learning, St. Louis Symphony Orchestra
Chris Petre-Baumer, Director of Marketing and Creative, Handel and Haydn Society (H+H)
Gail Ridenour, Executive Director, Bellingham Symphony Orchestra
Adrienne Stratton, Patron Services Manager, Louisiana Philharmonic Orchestra
Trevor Thompson, Executive Director, Durham Symphony Orchestra
Kristian Vasquez, Development and Marketing Manager, Mid-Texas Symphony
Christopher Young, Executive Director, Kamloops Symphony Orchestra & KSO Music School