2026 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

2026 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

2026 Juilliard Leadership

• John-Morgan Bush, Dean of Juilliard Extension, The Juilliard School

2026 Guest Faculty

Guest faculty will include:

• 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
• Christina Littlejohn, Executive Director, Arkansas Symphony Orchestra
• Katie McGuinness, Chief Artistic Officer, Dallas Symphony Orchestra
• Denise McGovern, former Vice President of Communications & Media, 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; Board Members, Silk Road
• Paul Scarbrough, Principal, Akustiks, LLC
• Jessica Schmidt, Principal Consultant, Orchestrate Inclusion
• Alexa Smith, Associate Artistic Director, The Public Theater
• Michelle Zwi, Director of Orchestra Operations and Touring, Philadelphia Orchestra

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 areas 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. All program applicants will receive a one-year membership to the League of American Orchestras.

Find details about application materials and requirements in the 2026 Application Guidelines.

• Application fee: $65
• Program tuition: $4,260

Tuition covers 10 days of instruction at The Juilliard School and housing for up to 11 nights at Columbia University, and concert tickets. Residency 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 14, 2026, from 3:00-4:30pm Eastern.  The program will begin at Juilliard with lunch on Tuesday, July 21 at 12:00pm noon and conclude on Thursday, July 30 at 6:30pm following dinner.

Accommodation is provided in single-occupancy bedrooms with shared private bathrooms and lounge space at Columbia University. Check-in is on Monday afternoon, July 20 or Tuesday, July 21; check-out on Thursday, July 30 or Friday morning, July 31. 

Note: Applicants will be notified by Thursday, April 30, 2026. If accepted into the Essentials Class of 2026, a non-refundable tuition deposit of $1,000 will be due immediately. The tuition balance will be due by Tuesday, July 14, 2026.