Operations profiles

Operations positions can include director or manager levels, production manager, personnel manager, touring manager and music librarian.

To view profiles, choose:

• By state, choose your state in the left hand menu
• Sorted by last name, below

Mark A. Blakeman

Vice President of Orchestra and Building Operations and General Manager
Nashville Symphony
Nashville, Tennessee
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Years in current position: 6
Years in the field: 9

Majors:
B.S. Music Business
M.B.A. Arts Administration 
Ed.D. Administration (not complete)

Additional Training:
Topic-specific training available through the League of American Orchestras, such as conflict resolution/negotiations, production courses, etc. I’ve also taken general training in management, modification of employee behavior and the like.

Career Path:
Director of Admissions, Music Conservatory at Oklahoma City University 
Director of the Performing Arts Academy at Oklahoma City University 
Operations Manager, Nashville Symphony
Director of Operations, Nashville Symphony 
General Manager, Nashville Symphony

What are the most surprising, interesting or challenging aspects of your day-to-day work?
My job is all about dealing with people—helping them to know and understand their jobs; to provide them with the tools, information, and resources they need to be successful in their jobs; and to assist in resolving conflict.

What inspired you to work for an orchestra?
Great music!

What was your first step toward an orchestra career?
I took a chance and accepted a job that didn’t quite pay the bills. It was a gamble, but I worked hard and it has paid off. I also found a great mentor in my boss, Alan Valentine.

What advice would you offer to someone considering the orchestra field?
Get a good, well-rounded education. In a smaller institution you will be required to wear many hats. Seek out education and opportunities that gives you a wide range of experiences early in your career.

Any other advice?
Do what you love.  Figure out what you are passionate for and follow that career path.  Being happy in what you do day-to-day is far more rewarding that a high-paying job that you might hate.

Elaine Braun

Director of Operations
Erie Philharmonic
Erie, Pennsylvania
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Years in current position: 5
Years in the field: 16

Majors:
Music Education
Master’s Degree

Additional Training:
Some computer training

Career Path:
Middle School Vocal Music Teacher, Lancaster, New York
Elementary and Junior High Instrumental Teacher, Kenmore, New York
Horn and Music Education Horn Instructor, University of Western Ontario, London, Canada
Assistant, Operations/Education, Buffalo Philharmonic
Director of Operations, Maryland Symphony
Director of Operations, Erie Philharmonic
Music Director, Erie Philharmonic Chorus

What are the most surprising, interesting or challenging aspects of your day-to-day work?
The variety of tasks, from booking hotels, doing bowings, arranging chairs and stands, to remembering to take ear plugs, towels, water, etc., and screening guest-artist contracts.

What inspired you to work for an orchestra?
I thought I might be good at it.

What were your first steps toward an orchestra career?
My very first music job was conducting a Methodist children’s choir (I’m not a Methodist). However, it began a long sequence of being both a horn player, a singer, and a conductor. Everywhere I have gone, I’ve been able to combine those three areas, mixed in with my everyday work.

What advice would you offer to someone considering the orchestra field?
Someone joining the field today should find every opportunity to communicate with librarians, stagehands, lawyers, and educators to learn how the system works. I’ve created a manual for my job so that anyone coming in would have a reference guide.

Any other advice?
If you like variety and challenge, an on-the-go day-to-day lifestyle, this is the job for you —as long as you don’t need to be paid too much!
 

Ann Bowen

General Manager
Madison Symphony Orchestra
Madison, Wisconsin
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Years in current position: 11
Years in the field: 15

Majors:
B.A. Economics 
M.A. Arts Administration

Career Path:
Orchestra Manager: Mississippi Symphony, Hawaii/Hononlulu Symphony, Madison Symphony 

What are the most surprising, interesting or challenging aspects of your day-to-day work?
There’s always something different.

What inspired you to work for an orchestra?
It was a good combination of what I was good at in school and what I loved.

What were your first steps toward an orchestra career?
My first position was very hands-on. With a smaller orchestra and smaller staff, you get to have a very broad experience. It helped me focus on the aspects of orchestra management I like the best.

What advice would you offer to someone considering the orchestra field?
I think an Arts Administration degree is a great “door opener” and may get your resume to the top of the pile. But nothing replaces on-the-job experience.

Any other advice?
Long hours, but great rewards.

John (Danny) Covington

Chief Building Engineer
Nashville Symphony
Nashville, Tennessee
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Time in current position: 6 months
Years in the field: 11

Training:
Trade and technical school
Electrical apprenticeship
Tool and Die apprenticeship
HVAC trade school in the U.S. Air Force
Career Path:
Maintenance Engineer, Frist Center for the Visual Arts
Body Assembly Engineer, Nissan Motor Manufacturing Company

What are the most surprising, interesting or challenging aspects of your day-to-day work?
The ever-changing needs of the building.

What inspired you to work for an orchestra?
The beauty of our new building.

What were your first steps toward your career?
Skill training through apprenticeships and trade classes, but the bulk of the necessary work skills comes from on-the-job training.

Would you have done anything differently?
Today a degree is necessary in most management positions. I would have first obtained a degree in construction management and because you cannot learn hands-on skills in college, I would then go through an established electrical apprenticeship program to actually learn the trade.

Richard Decker

Vice President and General Manager
Syracuse Symphony Orchestra
Syracuse, New York
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Years in current position: 18
Years in the field: 33

Majors:
B.M. Applied Music-Horn Performance 
M.M. Applied Music-Horn Performance

Additional Training:
Associate degree in computer technology

Career Path:
Hornist, Syracuse Symphony Orchestra 1975-1990  (at various times during this period also served as Assistant Librarian, Assistant Stage Manager, Temporary Grant Writer/Education Assistant) 
General Manager, Syracuse Symphony, 1990-present

What are the most surprising, interesting or challenging aspects of your day-to-day work?
Challenging: More work than time available; doing more with less; predicting audience interest in programs. Interesting: Working with guest artists/conductors; exploring new music and concert experiences.

What inspired you to work for an orchestra?
It was a logical progression from conservatory trained musician to orchestra musician to a shift into a management role with same orchestra when the opportunity presented itself.

Would you do anything differently?
I probably would have made the transition to management sooner.

What advice would you offer to someone considering the orchestra field?
Every experience has value, even if the experience is a negative one. You must acquire comprehensive knowledge of field in order to be effective.

Any other advice?
The rewards can be great; the work can be long and consuming.

Lee GrothOlson

General Manager
Bartlesville Symphony Orchestra
Bartlesville, Oklahoma
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Years in current position: Less than one
Years in the field: 30

Majors:
Music Education, Elementary Education/Special Education

Additional Training:
Personnel training 
Speech and Drama
Coach training

Career Path:
Teacher: Special Education, Elementary Education, Elementary Music Education
Piano Teacher, private studio
Musician in the jungles of Papua, New Guinea 
High School Speech Coach 
Minister

What are the most surprising, interesting or challenging aspects of your day-to-day work?
Politics! City politics, orchestral politics, arts council politics, symphony board politics, volunteer organization politics, concert hall politics. Every time you do three things on your to-do list, five more show up!

What inspired you to work for an orchestra?
Love of the music (I am a member of the orchestra), love of the orchestra, and the passion to see it go places.

What would you do anything differently?
Ask for more money! I have part-time pay with full-time hours. . .

What advice would you offer to someone considering the orchestra field?
Get as much training as possible.

Any other advice?
Be prepared to marry it.

Holly Hanneke

General Manager
American Youth Philharmonic Orchestras
Annandale, Virginia
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Years in current position: 3.5
Years in the field: 4

Majors:
Music Business

Career Path:
Intern, National Symphony Orchestra
Education and Outreach Coordinator, American Youth Philharmonic Orchestras

James Herberson

IT Manager
Baltimore Symphony Orchestra
Baltimore, Maryland
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Years in current position: 4.5
Years in the field: 6

Additional Training:
Microsoft training

Career Path:
Systems Administrator, Database Administrator, IT Manager for Baltimore Symphony Orchestra

What are the most surprising, interesting or challenging aspects of your day-to-day work?
The diversity of the experience. The responsibilities and tasks very greatly from day to day and that’s what keeps things interesting.

What was your first step you towards an orchestra career?
I applied for jobs persistently and finally was approached by a recruiter who got me my first job.

What advice would you offer to someone considering an IT job in the orchestra field?
If you’re determined to work in the non-profit world, be prepared to accept a lower than
industry-standard salary for your experience level.

Patricia Kleinfelder

Managing Director
Orchard Park Symphony Orchestra
Orchard Park, New York
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Years in current position: 1
Years in the field: 1

Career Path:
Manager, Chamber of Commerce
Scuba Diving Instructor
Legal Secretary
Personal Trainer and owner of a fitness facility 
(Not your usual career path!)

What are the most surprising, interesting or challenging aspects of your day-to-day work?
Keeping the volunteers happy and motivated; and keeping all the puzzle pieces in one place.

What inspired you to work for an orchestra?
Deep respect and admiration for the conductor and the organization inspired me to apply when the position of managing director was created.

Would you do anything differently?
Research, research, research. If I were to start over, I would do the same thing, but would do more research re: marketing and business law.

What advice would you offer to someone considering the orchestra field?
Always keep your sense of humor and your perspective. Nothing is ever as bad as it first seems.

   

Kristin Kraus

General Manager
Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra, Metropolitan Youth Orchestra
Indianapolis, Indiana
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Time in current position: 2 months
Years in the field: 2

Majors:
Arts Administration, with a music concentration
M.B.A.

Additional Training:
Lincoln Center Institute National Educator Workshop

Career Path:
Education Intern, Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra 
Education Relations Associate, Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra 

What are the most surprising, interesting or challenging aspects of your day-to-day work?
The challenges tend to be working with the students and parents at every ability level. Each one is a completely different case and needs individual attention.

What inspired you to work for an orchestra?
I am very passionate about music and knew I did not want to be a performer. I have great organizational skills and love working with schools and kids, so what better way to do that than by working in the education department of an orchestra.

What steps did you take toward an orchestra career?
I studied Arts Administration because I knew I wanted to work for a non-profit arts organization. It wasn’t until I got to my senior year that I realized where I wanted to go with my chosen career.

What advice would you offer to someone considering the orchestra field?
From an education department standpoint, I would say get some experience in a classroom. Get to know what the teachers’ limits and horizons are so when you try to create programs that will benefit them, you know what they will need.

Any other advice?
I would strongly advise observing or shadowing someone in a position that interests you. Seeing what the job takes and what you will actually be doing helps a person realize the amount and type of work that goes into each job.

Jean Loucks

General Manager
Jefferson Symphony Orchestra
Golden, Colorado
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Years in current position: 1
Years in the field: 1

Majors:
Bachelor’s in Music
Master’s in Music Education

Additional Training:
On-the-job administrative training over the period of several years (my day jobs!)

Career Path:
Numerous administrative jobs. My final position title was operations manager.

What are the most surprising, interesting or challenging aspects of your day-to-day work?
The most interesting aspect is working with music and musicians in an administrative situation

What inspired you to work for an orchestra?
My love of music

What advice would you offer to someone considering the orchestra field?
Get as much experience as you can in the financial aspects of managing an orchestra. Get grant-writing experience.

Amylou Porter

Operations Manager
Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra
Indianapolis, Indiana
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Years in current position: 6.5
Years in the field: 20

Majors:
Music and English (double major)

Additional Training:
CBA Negotiations and Electronic Media training, League of American Orchestras Career Path:
Operations Assistant, Springfield (MA) Symphony
Operations Director, Shreveport Symphony
Operations Manager, Nashville Symphony
Operations Director, Memphis Symphony

What are the most surprising, interesting or challenging aspects of your day-to-day work?
Working with the changes in electronic media.

What inspired you to work for an orchestra?
The love of hearing live music.

What was your first step towards an orchestra career?
I began as an intern in Springfield (MA), which introduced me to the field.

What advice would you offer to someone considering the orchestra field?
Set up informational interviews and when possible, volunteer or work as an intern.

Martha Robinson

Director of Operations
Augusta Symphony Orchestra
Augusta, Georgia
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Years in current position: 12
Years in the field: 12

Majors:
Speech Therapy

Career Path:
General Manager, Commercial Printing Company
General Manager, Valcom Computer Center
Vice President and Secretary, Family-owned business

What are the most surprising, interesting or challenging aspects of your day-to-day work?
The vast amount of work that needs to be completed on a daily basis.

What inspired you to work for an orchestra?
I thought it would be fun.

Would you do anything differently?
I love what I do and wouldn’t change the path I took to get here.

What advice would you offer to someone considering the orchestra field?
Be prepared to work with little money and enjoy what you do.

Any other advice?
Truly love music. I would love to play an instrument.

Lesley Sabol

General Manager
Modesto Symphony Orchestra Association
Modesto, California
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Years in current position: 1.5
Years in the field: 3

Majors:
B.A. Music Performance, Boston University

Additional Training:
Culinary Arts, Newbury College
Career Path:
Private Chef, Boston
Chef, Centre Street Café (Boston)
Restaurant Manager, Cortez Restaurant, Pluto’s, Peet’s (San Francisco)
Marketing/PR Intern, New Century Chamber Orchestra
Operations Manager/Librarian, Sacramento Philharmonic

What are the most surprising, interesting or challenging aspects of your day-to-day work?
Challenging: Being able to juggle all of my responsibilities without letting things slip through the cracks; managing staff.  Interesting: Artistic programming; working with the artistic staff; watching an audience thoroughly enjoy something you’ve personally programmed and produced.

What inspired you to work for an orchestra?
I’ve always aspired to have a job where I get paid to be creative everyday. I also think this industry needs to rethink strategies on attracting audiences related to programming. We need more outside-the-box thinking, which I throughly enjoy.

Would you have done anything differently?
I applied for the Orchestra Management Fellowship twice, when I should have jumped right into an unpaid internship instead. I’m happy with the career path I chose. It’s diverse, and everything I’ve done till now has only helped me in this position. It’s all relevant!

What advice would you offer to someone considering the orchestra field?
Don’t be afraid to ask questions, even if you think they’re stupid. Network and learn from as many people as you can. Be familiar with what’s happening in the industry, not just the top-tier orchestras. Don’t be afraid to relocate for a position. If you don’t have a strong work ethic, this industry is not for you.

Any other advice?
Just because you don’t have experience in this field doesn’t mean you shouldn’t be considered for a job. Highlight any personal or professional experiences from your past that are relevant to the job you aspire to have.

Toni M. Robinson

Director of Operations
Louisville Orchestra
Louisville, Kentucky
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Years in current position: 3.5
Years in the field: 4+
Majors:
B.A. Music, minor in political science
J.D.
M.A. Arts Administration

Additional Training:
Having a law degree has been helpful, just through the knowledge I gained, although I am not legal counsel to the orchestra. Having the education has especially helped with artist contracts and labor unions.

Career Path:
Graduate Assistant, Indiana University African American Arts Institute
Assistant to the Director of Education and Operations, Fort Wayne Philharmonic Operations Managerm, Louisville Orchestra

What are the most surprising, interesting or challenging aspects of your day-to-day work?
There’s constant change and new challenges. Orchestras are way busier than I ever could have imagined.

What inspired you to work for an orchestra?
Being a musician all my life, it was the one career that fit my artistic and business interests.

What were your first steps toward an orchestra career?
Networking is the first step. Getting to know people in the field, interning, and learning as much as you can.

What advice would you offer to someone considering the orchestra field?
Definitely intern in an arts organization. The non-profit field has unique challenges and it definitely takes the right kind of person.

Any other advice?
Utilize the League for assistance in networking, especially during the National Conferences. Take advantage of workshops they offer.

Amanda Sauer

General Manager
Tallahassee Symphony Youth Orchestras
Tallahassee, Florida
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Years in current position: 1
Years in the field: 2

Majors:
Piano Performance B.M., M.M., and D.M.A.

Career Path:
Staff Accompanist, Okalahoma Baptist University 
Assistant to the Director, Norman (OK) Arts and Humanities Council 
Intern, Colorado Music Festival, Oklahoma Arts Institute 
Adjunct Staff, University of Oklahoma 
Assistant Professor, University of Oklahoma, Department of Music Theory 
Visiting Assistant Professor, Florida State University

What are the most surprising, interesting or challenging aspects of your day-to-day work?
Thinking outside the box: What will turn kids on to “classical” music?  What will change the perception of music as boring, stuffy, and white-bread? What can I do to turn my experience with music—as a person who loves pop, rock, bluegrass, and jazz as much as classical—into proactive advocacy for music study? How can I make technology a really effective tool for advocacy, not just an empty bells-and-whistles experience? How can I more effectively convince granting agencies that youth orchestras are worth investing in?

What inspired you to work for an orchestra?
My entire professional career has been focused on bringing music to society, whether that be through playing music, music education (piano lessons and college music theory teaching), or, in the case of my current position with the TSYO, facilitiating this important organization’s role in my local community.

Would you do anything differently?
Yes! I continued to pursue degrees in performance because of the joy I derived from exploring the workings of music and the way it forced me to soul-search. But ultimately, this path seemed self-serving. What, exactly, was my impact on society? Teaching music theory provides me with a sense that I am giving back, but not in the way orchestra management does. It is up to me to make sure this very important service is offered in the capital of Florida. I am a one-woman show. All to say, I wish I had realized earlier how fulfilling this type of work could be, and I wish I had realized earlier the similarities between it, teaching, and performing. It is all about bringing music to those who need it!

What advice would you offer to someone considering the orchestra field?
If this question means to ask about what areas I feel I had more experience in, I’d offer this: I wish I knew better how a healthy board functions effectively; I wish I were more comfortable selling my product to potential investors; and I wish I derived more pleasure from the business aspects of the field.

 

Blake Schlabach

Orchestra Personnel Manager
Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra
Indianapolis, Indiana
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Years in current position: 6
Years in the field: 25

Majors:
B.M. DePauw University

Career Path:
Assistant Principal Trombone, Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra, 1982-present 
Assistant Orchestra Personnel Manager, Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra, 1992-2002

What are the most surprising, interesting or challenging aspects of your day-to-day work?
Personnel is always interesting and challenging. I get to be a liason for staff/musicians and this is very rewarding to me.

What inspired you to work for an orchestra?
I wanted to be a musician since childhood, and being both staff and musician is fantastic.

What advice would you offer to someone considering the orchestra field?
A liberal arts education paved the way for my success as musician/manager. It has taught me to be resourceful and creative in problem solving.

Any other advice?
Learn the gamut of orchestra sizes and budgets to help prepare you for each organization’s positions. Learn to be a good listener first, then a problem solver.

Heather Stengle

Operations Manager
Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra
Cincinnati, Ohio
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Years in current position: 2.5
Years in the field: 11

Majors:
Bachelor’s in Music
M.A., M.B.A., Arts Administration

Career Path:
Artist Liaison/Production Assistant, Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra
Production Manager, Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra

What are the most surprising, interesting or challenging aspects of your day-to-day work?
It is a privilege to work daily with world-class musicians, stage crew, and staff. Every week is different—diverse music, guest artists, conductors, even different cities and countries. I thrive on juggling the day-to-day details, solving problems that inevitably occur with any job, remaining financially responsible while still enjoying myself along the way.

What inspired you to work for an orchestra?
In my case, it was “who” inspired me: my high school band director. He told me that I wouldn’t be happy unless I someday worked in the music field. As a flutist who grew up performing in bands and orchestras, and someone who always enjoyed organizing things, it was a natural fit.

What were you first steps toward an orchestra career?
Reading Symphony Magazine and applying for the Orchestra Management Fellowship Program. I was first alternate in 1996.

What advice would you offer to someone considering the orchestra field?
Complete an internship with an orchestra or music festival.

Any other advice?
Do it! Music changes lives.

Susan Stucker

Vice President of Operations and General Manager
New Jersey Symphony Orchestra
Newark, New Jersey
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Years in current position: 8
Years in the field: 19

Majors:
Music major, Business minor

Additional Training:
Managed college orchestra

Career Path:
Various positions in operations and education with the NJSO

What are the most surprising, interesting or challenging aspects of your day-to-day work?
That every day is different, with new possibilities and challenges.

What was your first step in beginning your working career?
I was fortunate to manage my college orchestra for three years. I learned a lot and confirmed that I wanted to pursue orchestra management as a career.

What advice would you offer to someone considering the orchestra field?
Intern for an orchestra. Participate in the League’s career programs. Request an informational interview with those currently in the field.

Claire Sutherland

General Manager
Prince William Symphony Orchestra
Manassas, Virginia
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Years in current position: 1.5
Years in the field: 20+ (Arts Management)

Majors:
B.S. Arts Management 
M.A. Arts Management

Additional Training:
League of American Orchestras seminars
Local programs through Chamber of Commerce

Career Path:
Operations Manager, Fairfield Orchestra (CT) 
Program Assistant, The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts
Grants writer (freelance) 
Personnel Manager/Performer, NOVA Manassas Symphony Orchestra  Founder/Performer/Manager, Fairwinds Quintet

What are the most surprising, interesting or challenging aspects of your day-to-day work?
Raising funds is always a challenge. People management can be interesting—getting many personalities to work toward the same goal. Long-range planning. Having the time to get everything done.

What inspired you to work for an orchestra?
I love to play my flute but envisioned myself on a street corner in NYC with my hat out for donations while I played. So, I decided to have some skills and still play a large part in presenting live performances. I am still able to play but I don’t have to rely on performing to support myself and my family.

What were your first steps toward an orchestra career?
Compared to many the people that I have met in this field, my path seems pretty straightforward. I decided as a junior in high school that arts/orchestra management was what I wanted to do. I went to a quality music college for my degree and took every opportunity there was to intern for different orchestras during my college career. Making contacts is the way around this world.

What advice would you offer to someone considering the orchestra field?
Try to learn something new every day. Know what is out there, what is being offered, and take every opportunity possible to learn and to make contacts. More often than not, it is who you know and not what you know that gets you into this field (and most others, really).

Any other advice?
You must do this because you love it. The salaries are getting better but they aren’t as high as in the for-profit world. The hours are long and you will put in many more hours than what you will get compensated for. It is all worth it if you are at the performance and you can smile and say, “I helped make this happen” and be proud.

K. Jeff Voigt

General Manager
Grant Park Music Festival
Chicago, Illinois
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Years in current position: 1.5
Years in the field: 13

Majors:
B.M., M.M. Voice performance

Additional Training:
Various finance and development courses

Career Path:
Delaware Symphony: Operations Manager, Director of Operations
Nashville Symphony: Director of Operations, Orchestra Manager, Director of Artistic Planning and Education
Executive Director, Paducah Symphony

What are the most surprising, interesting or challenging aspects of your day-to-day work?
The layers of government and private organizations involved in and required to make any decisions.

What inspired you to work for an orchestra?
I was struggling between arts and business careers and both came together at just the right time.

Would you do anything differently?
In looking back, I think I would have been more proactive in seeking out an Arts Administration degree instead of an additional performance degree.

What advice would you offer to someone considering the orchestra field?
Expect the unexpected.