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Anne Parsons Leadership Program

Applications are open for Anne Parsons Leadership Program, which is designed to build greater gender diversity in leadership roles and advance a new generation of candidates with the capacity to take on C-suite roles in major orchestras as well as building a culture of mentorship, coaching, and support across the orchestra field. For the June 2026 to June 2027 program, six participants will be selected based on demonstrated experience, vision for the field, and commitment to leading, serving, and building greater gender diversity in leadership roles in American orchestras. Applications will close Thursday, January 15, 2026 at 11:59pm Eastern.

An initiative from the League of American Orchestras, the program honors Anne Parsons, the transformative orchestra field leader and mentor who passed away in 2022. Participation is completely free of charge.

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About the Program

Anne Parsons was a giant in the orchestra field. An institutional and civic leader of tremendous vision and presence, Anne was known across the orchestra profession as someone who led from culture–and it was through cultural transformation that she brought the Detroit Symphony Orchestra out from its darkest days to being one of the country’s most vibrant orchestral institutions.

Anne was beloved by those who knew and worked with her, but above all she was a role model to women on their journey to leadership positions, and to those already in leadership positions who aspired to her level of skill, finesse, and deep authenticity.

To honor Anne’s life and legacy as a transformational leader and mentor, the League has established the Anne Parsons Leadership Program.

The Anne Parsons Leadership Program is designed to build greater gender diversity in leadership roles in the country’s 50 largest-budget orchestras: 70% of larger orchestras currently have men as executive directors. Research shows that as well as creating fair opportunities for all, gender diversity at senior levels in organizations improves decision-making and performance, strengthens organizational culture, and enhances creativity. The program aims to advance a new generation of candidates with the capacity to take on C-suite roles in major orchestras as well as building a culture of mentorship, coaching, and support across the orchestra field. Participation in the program is free of charge.

For the June 2026 to June 2027 program, six participants will be selected based on demonstrated experience, vision for the field, and commitment to leading, serving, and building greater gender diversity in leadership roles in American orchestras. Each participant will receive a travel stipend and free registration to the League’s National Conference to convene and to contribute their insights to the national debate. All applicants, whether accepted to the Anne Parsons Leadership Program or not, will receive a one-year professional membership to the League of American Orchestras. The League especially encourages applicants from backgrounds that have been historically underrepresented in the orchestral field.

Who is Eligible to Apply?

The Anne Parsons Leadership Program is designed to build greater gender diversity in leadership roles in the country’s 50 largest-budget orchestras and welcomes applications from individuals who have either 5 years of professional experience in the orchestra field or are currently in an executive leadership role in orchestras or comparable music organizations (including music festivals and arts organizations).

The program serves professionals who want to serve in executive leadership roles and those who want to move up in their executive leadership. Examples of individuals who could benefit from this program include:

  • Current orchestra executive leaders with the motivation to advance to a larger-budget organization
  • Individuals who aspire to their first C-suite role in an American orchestra and have demonstrated orchestral leadership initiative (participating in leadership training opportunities, taking lead on collaborative projects, etc.)
  • Alumni of the League’s longstanding leadership programs (Emerging Leaders Program, Essentials of Orchestra Management, Orchestra Management Fellowship Program, etc.)
  • Orchestral musicians looking to transition into administrative orchestral leadership roles
  • Leaders and aspiring leaders who have a successful track record of at least 5 years of employment in orchestras or comparable music organizations (including music festivals and arts organizations) and wish to progress on a path to lead an American orchestra

For the June 2026 to June 2027 program, six participants will be selected based on demonstrated experience, vision for the field, and commitment to leading, serving, and building greater gender diversity in leadership roles in American orchestras. All applicants, whether accepted to the Anne Parsons Leadership Program or not, will receive a one-year professional membership to the League of American Orchestras. The League especially invites applicants from backgrounds that have been historically underrepresented in the orchestral field.

Apply now

Program Outcomes

After completing the Anne Parsons Leadership Program, participants will be able to:  

  • Apply their leadership skills and mindset to advance towards or take on an executive leadership role in an American orchestra
  • Utilize emergent and responsive leadership skills in advancing critical issues of equity, diversity, and inclusion in the orchestra field
  • Identify, analyze, and offer creative solutions to key strategic challenges in the evolving orchestra field
  • Advance orchestras as diverse, inclusive, and innovative organizations, while fulfilling their unique role in the cultural context of their communities
  • Thrive in an environment of evolving and competing imperatives as orchestras respond to the issues of our place and time and envision the future
  • Be an active member of a growing inclusive network of peers, mentors, and resources for continued professional development

2026-2027 Program Components

Program participation for June 2026 through June 2027 will include:

  • June 1-3, 2026, League National Conference in Baltimore, MD
  • Executive Leadership Training
  • Bimonthly Cohort Meetings
  • Bimonthly Conversations with Mentors
  • Quarterly Leadership Forums
  • Program and Self-Evaluations

Program participation is free. In addition, each participant will receive a travel stipend and free registration to the League’s National Conference to convene and to contribute their insights to the national debate. Participants will benefit from networking opportunities supported by the mentors, and the whole cohort’s profile will be promoted on a national level. Program participants will receive a one-year professional membership to the League of American Orchestras.

Participants are expected to commit to and participate in all sessions and associated events from June 2026 through June 2027. Partial participation is not permitted.

Application Guidelines

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

Read the 2026 Application Guidelines (PDF)

Mentoring and Faculty Team

The 2026-27 mentoring and faculty team will be announced soon. Mentors and faculty for previous cohorts are listed below.

League staff:

2025-2026 Cohort

This year’s cohort includes:

  • Rebecca Cain, Vice President of Operations, Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra
  • Felice Doynov, Associate Dean of Visiting Faculty and Orchestra, New World Symphony, America’s Orchestral Academy
  • Mitsuko Flynn, Chief Operating and Impact Officer, Charleston Symphony
  • Emily Fritz-Endres, Executive Director, Albany Symphony
  • Amy Heald, Executive Director, The Reno Chamber Orchestra
  • Jessica Ruiz, Director, KD SCHMID US

2023-2024 Cohort

The initial cohort was comprised of:

2025-2026 Mentoring and Faculty Team

The 2025-2026 mentoring team includes:

* The Anne Parsons Leadership Program was conceived by the League in coordination with these founding mentors.

The 2025-26 faculty team includes:

League staff:

2023-2024 Mentoring and Faculty Team

The Anne Parsons Leadership Program was conceived by the League in coordination with a group of four large-budget orchestra leaders who served as mentors for the 2023-24 program:

2023-24 Faculty:

More Information

Sign up for program updates

Questions?

For additional information, please contact Heather Briere at hbriere@americanorchestras.org.

The Anne Parsons Leadership Program is made possible by generous support from Patricia A. Richards, with additional support provided by Colbert Artists Management and current and former orchestra executive directors and arts leaders nationwide. 

Banner: Program participants and mentors as well as League staff and program funder Patricia A. Richards at Conference 2025 in Salt Lake City. Photo credit: Douglas Carter Photography

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