Operations IN

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.

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.

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.