2025 Essentials of Orchestra Management
More About EssentialsJuly 22-31, 2025
Applications are now open and will close Tuesday, February 18, 2025.
Essentials of Orchestra Management is a transformative, ten-day professional development program designed to equip early and mid-career orchestra leaders with the tools, knowledge, and confidence to excel as leaders and catalysts for change. The program provides participants with the opportunity to:
- Learn key skills and gain insights into orchestras and their role in society
- Join a dynamic network of professionals
- Build their leadership capacity to strengthen orchestras
Led by a faculty of currently active orchestra executives and leadership experts, the program addresses both theory and practice, integrating the faculty’s extensive practical experience and professional knowledge in the course curriculum. Additional core activities include visits with prominent artists and musicians, concert attendance, and excursions to David Geffen Hall.
2025 Faculty
2025 Faculty Leadership
- Scott Faulkner (Faculty Director) Principal Bassist, Reno Philharmonic & 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
2025 League Leadership
- Simon Woods, President and CEO
- Caen Thomason-Redus, Vice President, Inclusion and Learning
- David Styers, Director, Learning and Leadership Programs
- Maria Martini, Meetings Manager
2025 Juilliard Leadership
- John-Morgan Bush, Dean of Juilliard Extension, The Juilliard School
- Alex Jackson, Special Projects Coordinator,The Juilliard School
2025 Guest Faculty
Guest faculty will include:
- Lisa Brown Alexander, President and CEO, 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
- 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
- Faith Raiguel, Former CFO, LA Opera; Board Member, Ojai Music Festival and Silk Road
- Alexa Smith, Associate Artistic Director, The Public Theater
- Michelle Zwi, Director of Orchestra Operations and Touring, Philadelphia Orchestra
Additional faculty will be added.
Who Should Apply?
Early and mid-career professionals, musicians, career changers, and students are eligible to apply, as well as experienced administrators who wish to expand and deepen their knowledge base in all aspects of an orchestral organization. The League especially invites applicants from backgrounds that have been historically underrepresented in the orchestral field.
In a highly competitive application process, up to 36 participants will be selected based on demonstrated experience, potential, commitment to serving American orchestras, and motivation and goals for participating in this professional development program. Program applicants will receive a one-year membership to the League of American Orchestras.
Application Guidelines
Find details about application materials and requirements in the 2025 Application Guidelines.
The League of American Orchestras is pleased to announce a unified application for the Essentials of Orchestra Management and Anne Parsons Leadership Program. Individuals are invited to submit materials for consideration to the program(s) for which they are eligible via a single application; applicants may apply to both programs if they wish.
Cost
- Application fee: $65
- Program tuition: $4,055
Tuition covers 10 days of instruction and housing for up to 11 nights on The Juilliard School campus, and concert tickets. Residency on site is required. Each participant will be responsible for covering their own costs of travel and most meals. Full and partial scholarships based on financial need are available.
Participants are expected to commit to all 10 days of the program and attend all sessions and associated events. Partial attendance is not permitted: participants will receive a non-credit Juilliard Extension certificate upon completion.
We will have a Zoom welcome for introductions on Tuesday, July 15, 2025, from 3:00-4:30pm Eastern. The program will begin at Juilliard with lunch on Tuesday, July 22 at 12:00pm noon and conclude on Thursday, July 31 at 6:30pm following dinner.
Accommodation is provided in single-occupancy bedrooms with shared private bathrooms and lounge space in the Meredith Willson Residence Hall on The Juilliard School campus. Check-in is on Monday afternoon, July 21 or Tuesday, July 22; check-out on Thursday, July 31 or Friday morning, August 1.
Note: Applicants will be notified by Thursday, April 3, 2025. If accepted into the Essentials Class of 2025, a non-refundable tuition deposit of $1,000 will be due immediately. The tuition balance will be due by Tuesday, July 15, 2025.
For additional information, please contact David Styers at dstyers@americanorchestras.org.
Essentials of Orchestra Management is made possible by grants from Trish & Rick Bryan, 25th Century Foundation, the National Endowment for the Arts, the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs in partnership with the City Council, and New York State Council on the Arts with the support of the Office of the Governor and the New York State Legislature.
Banner: Essentials 2024 at Juilliard. Photo Credit: Juan Patino Photography
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