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2026 Essentials of Orchestra Management

More About Essentials

July 21-30, 2026

Congratulations to the 2026 Essentials cohort! See the full list of participants in 2026 Cohort below.
Read the most recent press release
If you are interested in participating in the future, sign up for Essentials updates.

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:

  1. Learn key skills and gain insights into orchestras and their role in society
  2. Join a dynamic network of professionals
  3. 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.

2026 Cohort

The 2026 Essentials of Orchestra Management cohort includes:

  • Andrew Angelos, Operations and Personnel Manager, Third Horn, Spokane Symphony
  • Hannah Beaudry, Director of Institutional Partnerships, The Northeastern Pennsylvania Philharmonic
  • Tamara Calder, Artist Relations Coordinator, San Francisco Symphony
  • Brianna Cantwell, Executive Director, Piedmont Wind Symphony
  • Amanda Chipchase, Director of Operations, Grand Junction Symphony Orchestra
  • Mariel Christiana, Corporate and Foundation Relations Manager, Hartford Symphony Orchestra
  • Richard Chwastiak, Director, Cape Symphony Presents
  • David Clemmer, Conductor, Author, and Arts Entrepreneur; Host, CommonTime Podcast
  • Marian Gutierrez Curiel, Community Orchestra Manager and Manager of Community Engagement, BRAVO Youth Orchestras, andConductor, Metropolitan Youth Symphony
  • Linda Insook Diaz, Programming and Venue Operations Executive Assistant, Los Angeles Philharmonic
  • Kate Dreyfuss, Director of Communications, New Music USA
  • Margaret Eronimous, Director of Artistic Operations, The Knights
  • Peter Ferretti, Executive Director, Salisbury Symphony Orchestra
  • Danielle Gardner, Education and Community Coordinator, Orchestra of St. Luke’s
  • Maddie Helbling, Director of Education and Community Partnerships, Knoxville Symphony Orchestra
  • Blake Helis, Production Manager, Memphis Symphony Orchestra
  • Elisha Johnson, Director of Marketing, Arkansas Symphony Orchestra
  • David Kaliser, VP of Marketing and Audience Experience, The Florida Orchestra
  • Grace Kim, Manager of Artistic Operations, Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra
  • Kari Kistler, Oboe and English Horn
  • Nicholas Kohn, General Manager, Symphony Arlington
  • Fernanda Lastra, Conductor
  • Cullan Lucas, Artistic and Executive Director, Driftless Urban Orchestra
  • Norman Menzales, Marketing and Community Engagement Director, Fort Collins Symphony
  • Marcus Mizelle, Director of Venue Operations, Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra
  • Hayley Murks-Abdikadirova, Program Director of the Longy Side-by-Side Orchestra, The Longy School of Music of Bard College
  • Amy Noon, Music Director, Jefferson County Public Schools
  • Patrick O’Brien, Development Officer, The Cleveland Orchestra
  • Diego Plata, Orchestra Operations Manager, San Diego Symphony
  • Jazmine Rampas, Co-Founder, Off-Key Orchestra, and Audience and Patron Manager, Salastina
  • Preston Ratliff, Education Programs Coordinator, Oklahoma City Philharmonic
  • Maya Reilly, Operations Manager, Community Engagement and Career Services, The Juilliard School
  • Harold Rivas, Teaching Artist (Orchestra Conductor), Miami Music Project
  • Timo Schmeichel, Principal Percussionist of the Staatskapelle Weimar, Deutsches Nationaltheater Weimar (Germany)
  • Grace Venner, Manager of Artistic Planning, Louisiana Philharmonic Orchestra
  • Lily Whiteman, Programs Manager, Education and Community Engagement, Albany Symphony

2026 Faculty

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

Who Could 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 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 were 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 receive a one-year membership to the League of American Orchestras.

Application Guidelines

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

Read the 2026 Application Guidelines (PDF)

Cost

  • 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.  

For additional information, please contact David Styers at dstyers@americanorchestras.org.

Essentials of Orchestra Management is made possible by grants from The Dr. M. Lee Pearce Foundation, Inc., 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 2025 at Juilliard. Photo Credit: Alan Barnett Photography

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