Aubrey Bergauer
CEO, Changing the Narrative

Speaking at Opening Plenary: Run It Like a Business

Hailed as “the Steve Jobs of classical music” (Observer), Aubrey Bergauer is known for her customer-centric, data-obsessed pursuit of changing the narrative for the arts. A “dynamic administrator” with an “unquenchable drive for canny innovation” (San Francisco Chronicle), she’s held offstage roles at major institutions and as chief executive of the California Symphony.

Bergauer’s ability to cast and communicate vision inspires and unifies, earning her “a reputation for coming up with great ideas and then realizing them” (San Francisco Classical Voice). Her work and leadership has been covered in national publications, and she is a frequent speaker inside and outside the arts.

Connect with Aubrey on LinkedIn.

 Ben Folds
Emmy-Award-winning composer, singer-songwriter, and pianist

Speaking at Closing Plenary: A Conversation with Ben Folds on Orchestras as Symbols of Community  

Widely regarded as one of the major music influencers of our generation, Folds' enormous body of genre-bending music includes pop albums with Ben Folds Five, multiple solo albums, and numerous collaborative records. An active performer, podcast host and New York Times Best Selling author, he is a longtime advocate for arts and music education funding and serves on the Board of the Arts Action Fund for Americans for the Arts. For the past two decades, Folds has shared the stage with some of the world's greatest orchestras, and is in his seventh year as Artistic Advisor to the National Symphony Orchestra at the Kennedy Center in Washington, DC. He also launched a charitable initiative in his native state of North Carolina that provides free or affordable piano lessons to interested school-age children.

Connect with Ben on LinkedIn.

Kedrick Armstrong
Music Director, Oakland Symphony

Speaking at Expanding the Canon, Expanding the Audience 

Kedrick Armstrong is the new Music Director of the Oakland Symphony, becoming the 9th Music Director in the orchestra’s almost 100-year history. He is also the Creative Partner and Principal Conductor of the Knox-Galesburg Symphony. 

Named by the Washington Post as one of “22 for ’22: Composers and performers to watch,” Kedrick uses his voice and platform as a Black conductor to advocate for classical music’s performance, publication, and preservation of minority voices. This advocacy has led to various speaking engagements and a research fellowship with the American Music Research Center (University of Colorado-Boulder) studying Black female composers within the Helen Walker-Hill archives.

Kedrick is an alum of Chicago Sinfonietta’s Project Inclusion Freeman Conducting Fellow program, where he served as Assistant Conductor during the 2018-2019 season. He holds a B.M. in History and Literature from Wheaton College and an M.M. in Orchestral Conducting from the University of Colorado-Boulder. He graduated from the South Carolina Governor’s School for the Arts & Humanities. Armstrong has studied with and assisted/covered conductors Mei-Ann Chen, Gary Lewis, John Nelson, Cliff Colnot, and Lidiya Yankovskaya, among others. 

Connect with Kedrick on LinkedIn.

Laura Bergmann
Associate Director of Advocacy and Community Engagement, San Francisco Symphony

Speaking at Building Responsive, Resilient, and Collaborative Community Programs & Pipelines of Possibility: How to Bolster the Path from Student to Orchestra Administrator

Active in both the classical and popular music sectors, Laura Bergmann (she/her) is Associate Director of Advocacy and Community Engagement at the San Francisco Symphony. With more than a decade of experience in arts administration, in her current role, Laura manages government relations, advocacy strategies and coalition growth in the arts and culture space, as well as dynamic community-building initiatives that center the needs of local populations. A Bay Area native, Laura is a member of the critically acclaimed baroque pop band The Family Crest and holds a B.M. from the San Francisco Conservatory of Music and an M.M. from USC.  

Connect with Laura on LinkedIn.

Connor Bogenreif
Career Advisor, Chapman University

Speaking at Pipelines of Possibility: How to Bolster the Path from Student to Orchestra Administrator

Connor Bogenreif is an education administrator, music educator, and cellist. Connor serves as the Career Advisor for Chapman University's College of Performing Arts where he helps students in the performing arts use their training to find success in their career.

He also serves as a faculty member at Chapman University’s Hall-Musco Conservatory of Music, gives career talks, teaches cello students, and coaches and adjudicates ensembles at schools and festivals throughout the Southern California area.

Additionally, he is an active freelance cellist having performed in venues around the U.S. and Europe.

Connect with Connor on LinkedIn.

Leni Boorstin
Senior Advisor, External Engagement at Los Angeles Philharmonic

Currently, Leni Boorstin is Advisor, Civic Engagement for the LA Phil, having left full-time work. Previously, as Director of Community and Government Affairs for the Los Angeles Philharmonic Association, Leni Boorstin was responsible for Neighborhood Concerts and other community programs, including those that opened Walt Disney Concert Hall, celebrated its 5th and 10th anniversaries, and welcomed Gustavo Dudamel to Los Angeles as the LA Phil’s Music Director. She worked with a coalition of stakeholders to introduce El Sistema-influenced programs to Los Angeles and helped develop the partnerships that have resulted in the robust Youth Orchestra LA (YOLA) programs in four sites serving well over 1000 students, currently virtually during the pandemic.

Ms. Boorstin’s previous experience in arts management was at KPFK-FM and San Francisco’s Exploratorium Museum. As a graduate student she was a Public Affairs and the Arts Fellow with the CORO Foundation. Ms. Boorstin served four Mayors as a City of LA’s Human Relations Commissioner. She is a founding member and Chair emeritus of Arts for LA, served on the board of El Sistema USA, co-chaired the League of American Orchestra Diversity Forum’s committee on K-12 Pathways, and has served on LA County’s CEII (Cultural Equity and Inclusion Initiative) Committee since 2018.

Connect with Leni on LinkedIn.

Nora Brady
Chief Marketing & Communications Officer, Los Angeles Philharmonic

Speaking at Expanding the Canon, Expanding the Audience 

Nora Brady serves as Chief Marketing & Communications Officer of the Los Angeles Philharmonic Association where her responsibilities include the leadership and management of all marketing, communications and sales operations for the organization. Nora’s tenure at the Los Angeles Philharmonic began in 2009 where she has overseen marketing and digital strategy, expense and revenue forecasting, pricing, sales analysis and strategy, analytics, direct marketing efforts, and customer research and insights for the organization. In addition, Nora has served as a leader on major institutional projects for the organization, including working with foundations such as the Wallace and The James Irvine. She is also a founding member of the Diversity, Equity and Inclusion committee of the Association. Prior to joining the LA Phil, Nora worked for the LA Opera, House of Blues, New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival, Voodoo Music and Art Experience, and the College of Music and Fine Arts at Loyola University New Orleans in a wide range of marketing and communications capacities.  Nora was also a 2017 Emerging Leader fellow at the League of American Orchestras – a program designed to support and mentor arts executives. Nora received a BM from the College of Music and Fine Arts at Loyola University New Orleans with a double major in Vocal Performance and Music Business. 

Connect with Nora on LinkedIn.

Kristi Brown-Montesano
Lecturer, Herb Alpert School of Music, UCLA 

Speaking at Expanding the Canon, Expanding the Audience 

A Lecturer in Musicology at UCLA’s Herb Alpert School of Music, Kristi Brown-Montesano is also an active “public musicologist,” supporting the educational and community-oriented activities of the Los Angeles Opera, Los Angeles Philharmonic, La Jolla Music Society, and Philharmonic Society of Orange County.

A respected opera scholar, Brown-Montesano authored the book "Understanding the Women of Mozart’s Operas" (University of California Press, 2007; reissued 2021); the feminist lens of this study has attracted a growing audience of readers interested in the ethics of opera culture. She also lectures extensively about classical music in contemporary American culture and music and media.

Connect with Kristi on LinkedIn.

Marni Cook
Senior Director of Advocacy, Community Engagement & Volunteer Services, San Francisco Symphony

Marni Cook has a diverse range of work experience in event management and community engagement. Marni has held various leadership roles at the San Francisco Symphony, starting as the Director of Special Events & Volunteer Services in 2010, then progressing to Director Community Engagement, Special Events & Volunteer Services in 2015, and finally becoming the Senior Director of Community Engagement & Volunteer Services in 2019. Prior to their time at the symphony, Cook worked as the Senior Corporate Events Manager at Informatica from 2003 to 2010. Marni also served as the Director of Special Events at the San Francisco Opera Guild from 1999 to 2003 and as an Events Manager at the San Francisco Bay Area Alzheimer Association in 1999.

Marni Cook pursued her Bachelor of Arts degree in Stage Management from the University of North Carolina School of the Arts.

Connect with Marni on LinkedIn.

Liane Curtis
President, Women’s Philharmonic Advocacy

Speaking at Expanding the Canon, Expanding the Audience 

Liane Curtis founded the Women's Philharmonic Advocacy to continue the mission of The Women's Philharmonic (1981-2004) in advocating for the performance of music by women composers. The Board consists of musicians, administrators and composers, most of who were also involved with TWP. She also founded in 1999 and incorporated in 2000, The Rebecca Clarke Society, Inc. to promote interest in the composer and violist Rebecca Clarke (1886-1979). Liane is an author and music critic and holds a Ph.D. in Musicology.

Connect with Liane on LinkedIn.

Lisa Dell
Executive Director, California Symphony

Speaking at Amplifying Engagement: Explore How Orchestras and Classical Music Radio Stations Can Partner on Community Enrichment

California Symphony's Executive Director since 2019, Lisa Dell has produced multiple national radio series based on the orchestra’s unique history of cultivating and commissioning young American composers. She is also a host for "Relevant Tones," a podcast about the most fascinating time in classical music history: right now. Before relocating to the Bay Area, Lisa worked with every significant classical music institution in Chicago, including Chicago Symphony Orchestra, Lyric Opera, and the Ear Taxi Festival of New Music. In 2008, Lisa co-founded a chamber music ensemble, Anaphora, known for its innovative programming, commissions, and “gutsy but polished performances” (Chicago Tribune).

Connect with Lisa on LinkedIn.

Ron Gallman
Director of Education and Youth Orchestra, San Francisco Symphony 

Speaking at Pipelines of Possibility: How to Bolster the Path from Student to Orchestra Administrator

Ron Gallman, the San Francisco Symphony's Director of Education and Youth Orchestra, oversees the San Francisco Symphony's comprehensive slate of education programs—programs that have been described as national models and that serve the spectrum of Bay Area communities and beyond. In addition, Gallman has served on national and state arts panels, has participated as a presenter in arts conferences nationwide, and has served on boards and committees of local, state, and national arts organizations. 

Connect with Ron on LinkedIn.

Jeremy Hatch
Principal Consultant, RSC Associates

Speaking at Catch the Philanthropic Wave: Unleashing the Power of Planned Giving and Donor-Advised Funds  

Jeremy Hatch brings 25 years of successful experience in goal-oriented fundraising and arts management to the RSC team. He has provided ongoing strategic counsel to more than 50 RSC clients, including leading RSC engagements with the Detroit, Cincinnati, Minnesota, and St. Louis Orchestras, as well as Opera Omaha, The Cleveland Pops, Breckenridge Create and the New Harmony Project. Jeremy has been an Adjunct Faculty member in fundraising at Indiana University and has served as a Board member of Aurora PhotoCenter, Indianapolis Fringe Festival, Hamilton County Visitor’s Bureau, Monroe County United Way, and Bloomington Playwright’s Project.

Connect with Jeremy on LinkedIn.

Catherine Heitz New
CEO, RSC Associates

Speaking at Catch the Philanthropic Wave: Unleashing the Power of Planned Giving and Donor-Advised Funds  

With a two-decade career in arts fundraising, Catherine Heitz New is renowned for her commitment to results and clear vision, driving significant fundraising growth for diverse organizations. Beyond client engagements, Catherine actively contributes to the arts industry through speaking engagements, educational initiatives, and informative reports.

Before joining RSC, Catherine served as Chief Advancement Officer and Deputy Director of a leading arts council, successfully raising $30 million for The Council's Comprehensive Campaign for the Arts. Her multifaceted expertise spans strategic and operational aspects of arts management, demonstrated in roles such as managing the City of Charleston's visual arts and gallery program.

Connect with Catherine on LinkedIn.

Rei Hotoda
Artistic Director, Fresno Philharmonic

Teaching Conducting Masterclass

Conductor Rei Hotoda has been hailed as an inexhaustible dynamo with a deep commitment to reimagining the 21st century concert experience. Her vision can be seen through her thought- provoking programming, passionate allyship to marginalized artists, advocacy for arts education, and an unwavering commitment to presenting many of today’s most notable American composers.

One of the centerpieces of Rei’s 23/24 season was her recent Carnegie Hall debut. Rei has appeared as a guest conductor with several prestigious orchestras, including, the symphony orchestras of Dallas, Toronto, Winnipeg, St. Louis, Detroit, among others. She is currently the Music Director of the Fresno Philharmonic.

Connect with Rei on LinkedIn.

Susan Howlett
Consultant & Author

Speaking at Pre-Conference Workshop: Imagine Your Board on Fire About Fundraising & Eliciting Optimal Value from Your Leaders

Susan has consulted with thousands of nonprofits across the continent over the last 35 years, including dozens of symphonies. She's spoken often at League conferences and written articles for their magazine.  Author of two award-winning books (Getting Funded and Boards on Fire), she was faculty at the University of Washington for 30 years.  She's known for offering practical solutions to thorny problems, delivered with humor, stories, and chocolate. 

Connect with Susan on LinkedIn.

Dr. Emily Isaacson
Artistic Director, Classical Uprising 

Speaking at It’s Not Just a Concert: How to Make a Classical Uprising

Dr. Emily Isaacson is fiercely committed to reimagining classical music for today’s audience. She is founder and artistic director of Classical Uprising, a performing arts collective that believes classical music must rise up, challenge current norms, and re-envision where, how, and for whom we make music. Isaacson was named the 2018 Maine Artist of the Year, one of 50 Mainers Leading the State, and a three-time winner of the American Prize. A St. Andrews Society Scholar, Isaacson holds advanced degrees from the University of Edinburgh, Scotland; the University of Oregon; and the University of Illinois. 

Connect with Emily on LinkedIn.

Beth Kanter
Speaker, Author, and Trainer

Speaking at Orchestrating Ethical and Human-Centered Generative AI: Striking the Right Chord 

Beth Kanter is an internationally recognized thought leader and trainer in digital transformation and well-being in the nonprofit workplace. She is the co-author of the award-winning Happy Healthy Nonprofit: Impact without Burnout and co-author with Allison Fine of The Smart Nonprofit.  Named one of the most influential women in technology by Fast Company and recipient of the NTEN Lifetime Achievement Award, she has over three decades of experience in designing and delivering training programs for nonprofits and foundations. As a sought-after keynote speaker and workshop leader, she has presented at nonprofit conferences around the world to thousands of nonprofits. Learn more about Beth at www.bethkanter.org.

Connect with Beth on LinkedIn.

Kristen Klehr
Director of the Professional Development and Engagement Center, Department Chair, Professional Development, San Francisco Conservatory of Music 

Speaking at Pipelines of Possibility: How to Bolster the Path from Student to Orchestra Administrator

Kristen Klehr is the Director of the Professional Development and Engagement Center and Department Chair for Professional Development at the San Francisco Conservatory of Music and is passionate about arts leadership and innovation. An active percussionist, she received her first GRAMMY® Nomination on marimba in 2019 with The String Theory, and toured with athletic percussion group Scrap Arts Music prior to coming to the Bay Area. Within the startup space, Klehr owns Produced by BEAR, and is the founder of The Den and Pawprint. Learn more at www.sfcm.edu/pdec or www.kristenklehr.com and connect with her @kristenklehr. 

Connect with Kristen on LinkedIn.

Johana Laney
Social Media and Brand Manager, Classical Content 

Speaking at Stop Using #ClassicalMusic: A Guide to Growing Your Audience Using Social Media 

Described as the "ultimate social media strategist" by Aubrey Bergauer, Johanna founded Classical Content to help arts organizations and leaders leverage their social media for growth. A multi-faceted arts administrator, Johanna started her career in artistic planning with the Seattle Symphony where she programmed concerts for the multi-media performance venue, Octave 9. Johanna began specializing in social media management after serving as the Executive Director of the Boise Baroque Orchestra where she utilized social media marketing to grow ticket revenue for the organization by 45%. Johanna holds an Executive MBA from the Quantic School of Business and is currently the Social Media Manager for the New York Philharmonic. 

Connect with Johana on LinkedIn.

Bill Lueth
President, KDFC; VP of Marketing, Classical California KUSC/KDFC

Speaking at Amplifying Engagement: Explore How Orchestras and Classical Music Radio Stations Can Partner on Community Enrichment

Bill Lueth is the President of Classical KDFC in San Francisco and the Vice President of Marketing and Sponsorship/Events for Classical California including KUSC Los Angeles.  KDFC and KUSC are also simulcast in Palm Springs, Santa Barbara, San Luis Obispo, Monterey, San Jose and Napa.  Bill has a master’s degree in opera performance.  He has had a 35-year radio career in multiple formats in the Bay Area initially as an on-air host and Program Director, and was named President of KDFC when it became a non-profit in 2011. He was inducted into the Bay Area Radio Hall of Fame in 2021.

Connect with Bill on LinkedIn.

Emanuel Maxwell
Chief Talent and Equity Officer, Los Angeles Philharmonic

Speaking at The Compelling Employment Offer: Attracting & Retaining Talent

Emanuel Maxwell has worked in HR for 28 years. He joined the LA Phil in August of 2021 as the organization’s first Chief Talent and Equity Officer. Prior to his current role, Emanuel held multiple HR leadership roles at Aramark, Chevron, and ARCO. He holds a Bachelor of Science in Political Science from Sam Houston State University in Huntsville, TX and a Master of Science in Human Resources Design from Claremont Graduation University in Claremont, CA.

Emanuel and his wife are the proud parents of two wonderful children - a 13 year-old son and a 7-year-old daughter.

Connect with Emanuel on LinkedIn.

Susan Nelson
Principal, TDC 

Speaking at Capitalizing Your Orchestra for Impact & Sustainability

Susan Nelson has been with TDC since 1987. She has led many projects in her years with the firm, including mergers, strategic business plans, financial restructuring, and facilities planning. Susan’s practice focuses on the complex challenge of aligning an organization’s strategy, implementation plan, and financial sustainability. Her deep analytical skills and operational experience have given her expertise in scaling an organization to an appropriate size while creating a sustainable financial capitalization plan. She has worked with clients of all sizes across the country.

She is the author of several publications about capitalization and the nonprofit arts sector, including Getting Beyond Breakeven and its follow-up, Capitalization, Scale & Investment: Does Growth Equal Gain?

Connect with Susan on LinkedIn.

Gillian Okin
Trumpet Performance Student, Chapman University School of Music

Speaking at Pipelines of Possibility: How to Bolster the Path from Student to Orchestra Administrator

Connect with Gillian on LinkedIn.

Tyler Rand
Managing Partner, Advisory Board for the Arts

Speaking at The Compelling Employment Offer: Attracting & Retaining Talent

Tyler joined the Advisory Board for the Arts as a Managing Director in 2022. Originally from the Greater Boston area, Tyler holds over a decade of experience in arts leadership roles ranging from operations to board leadership.

Before joining ABA, Tyler served as the head of marketing, communications, and sales at Stages, an innovative theater company specializing in new works and inclusive storytelling in Houston. Prior to Stages, Tyler led the Ann Arbor Symphony Orchestra as its Executive Director, after previously serving in the role of Director of Marketing and Communications. His work with orchestras was preceded by a career in classical radio, in which he served in diverse roles spanning development, artistic planning, and general management.

Tyler’s undergraduate studies focused on music theory and music literature. He completed his graduate studies at Harvard University, where he researched arts audiences and creative placemaking, and he completed postgraduate studies in arts and culture strategy at the University of Pennsylvania.

As a musician, Tyler remains active as an oboist, vocalist, and composer. He currently lives in Houston with his wife.

Connect with Tyler on LinkedIn.

Nicola Reilly
President & CEO, Monterey Symphony

Speaking at Fundraising Events that Work: Insider Secrets on Successful Events

Nicola Reilly began her tenure with the Monterey Symphony in 2016. She previously held positions at the Carmel Bach Festival and CSUMB. A Seattle native, Nicola worked for the Seattle Chamber Music Society, the Women's Medieval Choir, and The Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation. Nicola holds degrees in Spanish Literature and Music History from The University of Puget Sound and an advanced degree in Arts Administration from The University of Washington. She completed the Stanford Graduate School of Business Executive Program for Non-Profit Leaders in 2019. Nicola serves as President of the Association of Fundraising Professionals (AFP) – Monterey Bay Chapter and teaches Arts Administration at CSUMB. A classically trained violinist, Nicola performs throughout the Peninsula. She is the mother of two sons. 

Connect with Nicola on LinkedIn.

Elizabeth Shribman
Chief of Staff, San Francisco Symphony

Speaking at Closing Plenary: A Conversation with Ben Folds on Orchestras as Symbols of Community  

Elizabeth Shribman joined the San Francisco Symphony in 2016 and has been working in the Executive Office since January 2018. In her role, she collaborates with the Chief Executive Officer and senior leadership team to define and implement the top management agenda, working on strategy, budgeting, and analysis in support of the CEO’s areas of focus. She also manages organization-wide projects and initiatives, including the SFS's diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts. She previously worked in the San Francisco Symphony’s Finance department, serving as a partner to departments across the organization in budgeting, projections, and financial planning and analysis, and managing the financial side of the season planning process for various series and programs. Before joining the SFS, Shribman worked in artistic planning and international touring at the Czech Philharmonic in Prague, Czech Republic. She also served as an Orchestra Manager at the Aspen Music Festival and School and was General Manager at Philharmonia Baroque Orchestra. Shribman holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Music from Dartmouth College and an MBA from Stanford University, and continues to play the violin in her spare time. 

Connect with Elizabeth on LinkedIn.

David Taylor
Consultant & Coach

Speaking at The Orchestra of Influence: Empowering Musicians to be Digital Ambassadors  

One of the leading entrepreneurs and thought leaders in the world of classical music, David Taylor has built his career on a dynamic and energetic approach to bringing innovation to the arts, leading him to be described as an “arts innovator” by the BBC and be named on Forbes 30 under 30 Europe 2018 list, alongside Paul Pogba, Rita Ora, Dua Lipa, Anthony Joshua, Maisie Williams and Little Mix.

Driven by a desire to help those in the arts flourish in the modern world, David’s accomplishments and pioneering approach to digital marketing in the arts has led him to become a highly sought after consultant and coach with arts organizations and individuals in the UK, Europe, and the USA.

David is passionate about enabling the next generation of entrepreneurs, innovators, and 'doers' in the arts. He regularly speaks and writes about entrepreneurship and the future of classical music. During lockdown, David created the “How to be an Online Musician” blog series to help musicians affected by the pandemic, reaching over 100,000 people.

David created Yorkshire Young Sinfonia (YYS) in 2015, growing it to reach an audience of over 7.5 million people in just 4 years, with coverage including Sky News, BBC News, The Times, The Telegraph, BBC Look North, Classic FM, BBC Radio 3, Il Giornale and Classical Music Magazine. In 2017, David led YYS to become the first youth orchestra in the world to be 100% digital in partnership with the app Newzik, using iPads instead of sheet music.

Connect with David on LinkedIn.

Scott Vandrick
Senior Director of Advancement, The Music Center 

Speaking at Fundraising Events that Work: Insider Secrets on Successful Events

Scott Vandrick is a Los Angeles-based nonprofit professional who has been working in the field for more the 30 years. Recently, he joined the staff of The Music Center as the Senior Director of Advancement, overseeing the special fundraising events and individual giving teams of the premiere arts and culture organization in Los Angeles. Prior to that, he served for a decade as the Chief Development Officer of the Pasadena Symphony Association, managing all levels of fundraising for a mid-sized arts organization. Scott is a long-serving Board member of ACSO. 

Connect with Scott on LinkedIn.

John Wineglass
Composer, JW Productions, LLC 

Speaking at Expanding the Canon, Expanding the Audience 

John Christopher Wineglass has written several scores for shows on MSNBC, CNN, NBC, CBS and ABC as well as documentaries on Headliners & Legends with Matt Lauer for The Brady Bunch, Kathy Lee Gifford and Farah Fawcett.  Having scored mainly independent films, several of his nationally syndicated commercials include music for the United States Army, American Red Cross and Texaco as well. As a recipient of three (two consecutive) ®Daytime Emmy Awards for Outstanding Achievement in Music Direction and Composition for a Drama Series, and three ASCAP Film and Television Music Awards, Mr. Wineglass holds seven ®EMMY nominations.

Connect with John on LinkedIn.

Yuki Yokota
Piano Performance Student, San Francisco Conservatory of Music

Speaking at Pipelines of Possibility: How to Bolster the Path from Student to Orchestra Administrator

Yuki Yokota began her musical journey at age three. After moving to the United States at age seven, she took private lessons and attended piano courses as a pre-college student at the University of Southern California. As a young artist, Yuki has appeared in numerous solo and concerto competitions. Upon winning first place, Yuki was invited to perform Beethoven’s Piano Concerto No. 2, Op. 19 with the Long Beach Festival Orchestra at age ten. Following this, she received first place in the Piano Concerto Competition at the Music Teachers Association of California State Convention. In addition, Yuki has performed Rachmaninoff's beloved Second Piano Concerto with the Bob Cole Symphony in 2022. She obtained her Bachelor of Music in Piano Performance degree at the Bob Cole Conservatory of Music, and Master of Music in Piano Performance degree at University of Cincinnati - College Conservatory of Music with the support provided by prestigious scholarships. Yuki continues to pursue Professional Studies Certificate in Keyboard at the San Francisco Conservatory of Music. Her principal mentors are Dennis Thurmond, Sung Hwa Park, Giorgi Latsabidze, Shun-Lin Chou, and Awadagin Pratt.

Connect with Yuki on LinkedIn.

 Jessica Bejarano
Founder and Music Director, San Francisco Philharmonic / Curator & Scholar in Residence, San Francisco Opera / Cover Conductor, San Francisco Symphony

Co-Facilitating Conductors, Musicians, and Artistic Leaders

Jessica Bejarano is the Founder and Music Director of the San Francisco Philharmonic, Cover Conductor with San Francisco Symphony, Curator and Scholar in Residence with San Francisco Opera and serves as board member of the Association of California Symphony Orchestras (ACSO). Jessica was featured on NBC’s The Today Show as the “Woman Breaking Barriers as a Trailblazing Symphony Conductor”. PBS NewsHour also featured Jessica as an emerging female conductor and KQED named Jessica one of 10 artists to watch in KQED Arts’ Bay Brilliant Top 10 Artists of 2018. Jessica is the first women in history to guest conduct the American Youth Symphony in Los Angeles. She was also the featured guest conductor at the San Diego State University’s Women in Music, Diversity and Leadership Conference and was one of twelve female conductors selected from around the world to conduct at the International Women’s Conference in New York City. Jessica has guest conducted in Russia, Italy, Romania, Bulgaria, Czech Republic, Spain, Venezuela and throughout the United States. Jessica received her Master of Arts in Choral and Orchestral Conducting from the University of California Davis; Bachelor of Music in Music Education from the University of Wyoming, and Associates of Fine Arts in Music Education from Casper College. 

Chelsea Chambers
Executive Director, Peninsula Symphony of Northern California 

Facilitating Community Orchestra Board & Staff

Chelsea Chambers, Executive Director of Peninsula Symphony of Northern California, enjoys a career leading a small but effective team while deepening skill sets in concert production and artist liaising, marketing, operations, outreach programs, governance, and finance. Chambers holds a bachelor's degree from UCLA and a Master of Music degree from the Royal College of Music, London. Ms. Chambers also serves on the board of the Association of California Symphony Orchestras (ACSO) and especially enjoys working with other leaders of arts organizations to share ideas, insight, and best practices to foster growth of the symphonic sector. 

Alex Chu
Director of Education and Community Engagement, Pasadena Symphony and POPS

Co-facilitating Youth Orchestra Board & Staff

Alex Chu has been with the Pasadena Symphony and POPS for the past 8 years as its Director of Education and Community Engagement. Previously the viola coach with the Pasadena Youth Symphony Orchestras (PYSO) while working as a middle school teacher, Alex is now in charge of all youth orchestra programs and in-school education programs at the Pasadena Symphony. He enjoys spending time with his 10-year-old Shiba and Corgi, Calvin and Hobbes. Alex is also the camp director at Bellis Music Camp, a week-long summer camp serving middle school music students, and is a white suiter with the Pasadena Tournament of Roses. 

Jenny Darlington-Person
Executive Director, Music in the Mountains 

Facilitating Music Festival Board & Staff

Jenny is Executive Director at Music in the Mountains (MIM), where, since joining in 2018, she has increased its average annual foundation and government grant giving by nearly 400%. She is the recipient of the Association of California Symphony Orchestras’(ACSO) 2022 Executive Leadership Award. She is a 2022 graduate of the League of American Orchestras “Essentials of Orchestra Management” program at The Juilliard School in New York City, and the Center for Nonprofit Leadership’s Executive Director Academy. In 2000, she earned her Juris Doctorate with honors from the University of the Pacific, McGeorge School of Law. She also holds a bachelor’s degree in Women’s Studies and Legal Studies from the University of California, Santa Cruz. Prior to joining the staff at MIM, she practiced law for seventeen years. She also taught law school for seven years working at both McGeorge Law School and Lincoln Law School teaching courses in business law; research and writing; and appellate and oral advocacy. In 2023, Jenny became a board member of ACSO, where she currently serves on the development and annual conference committees. 

Connect with Jenny on LinkedIn.

Sunshine Deffner
General Manager, California Symphony 

Facilitating Operations Staff

Sunshine Deffner is currently serving as the General Manager for California Symphony leading operations and building partnerships with the communities served by the orchestra.

Ms. Deffner has engaged her 25+ year career in many of the arts disciplines, including Theater, Musicals, Museum, Dance, Opera, and Symphony. She has previously worked with the Asian Art Museum, John F. Kennedy Center for Performing Arts, and Opera San Jose. Most recently, Ms. Deffner completed a 2-year fellowship position as the Associate Managing Director at Berkeley Repertory Theatre spearheading a new programmatic initiative to address deep community relationships and forge authentic engagement strategies.

Ms. Deffner serves on the board of Theatre Bay Area, the Walnut Creek Community Service Day Committee, is an alum of California State University at Fullerton, and a former fellow of the DeVos Institute for Arts Management at the John F. Kennedy Center for Performing Arts.

Connect with Sunshine on LinkedIn.

Kevin Eberle-Noel
Executive Director, Redlands Symphony Association

Facilitating Executive Directors with Budgets Under $1 Million

Kevin Eberle-Noel is a seasoned arts administrator with nearly 15 years of administrative and teaching experience under his belt. Originally from southern California, Kevin has held positions with the Las Vegas Philharmonic, Palm Beach Opera, and Redlands Symphony. Prior to his administrative career, Kevin was a public school music teacher in southern California and central Arizona.

Connect with Kevin on LinkedIn.

Issy Farris
Vice President of Operations & Education, Long Beach Symphony 

Facilitating Education and Community Engagement Staff

Issy Farris currently serves as Vice President of Operations & Education for Long Beach Symphony where she has worked for nearly ten years. She has served in the field of orchestra management for 19 years focusing primarily on operations and music education.  Each year she produces five Classical concerts, five Pops concerts, four Youth Concerts, and two Family Concert festivals, as well as various chamber music and pop-up concerts. She oversees strategically sequential education programming serving over 25,000 children in Long Beach. She has a passion for community engagement and creating accessibility to the arts for all.

Connect with Issy on LinkedIn.

Alicia Gonzalez
Interim Human Resources Director, San Francisco Symphony

Co-facilitating Finance & HR Staff

Alicia Gonzalez recently joined the San Francisco Symphony as Interim Human Resources Director, and prior to that was the Director of Human Resources with the San Diego Symphony. During her career, Alicia has focused on Organizational Development, with roles in Training and HR Consultation. Alicia holds a Master's Degree in Industrial/Organizational Psychology from San Jose State University. With a knack for recruiting top talent, Alicia truly enjoys being a strategic HR business partner with a focus in organizational development, employee relations, and compliance and is fascinated with the challenge that comes from practicing Human Resources in California. Outside of her work with the Symphony, Alicia founded and runs a non-profit youth theatre within her community. The volunteer-run group presents full-scale stage productions with youth actors ages 4-16 up to three times per year. Although not a musician herself, Alicia is well aware that her soul is fueled by music and the Arts and is dedicated to keeping the passion alive in her colleagues and their commitment to their work. 

Rei Hotoda
Artistic Director, Fresno Philharmonic

Co-Facilitating Conductors, Musicians, and Artistic Leaders

Conductor Rei Hotoda has been hailed as an inexhaustible dynamo with a deep commitment to reimagining the 21st century concert experience. Her vision can be seen through her thought- provoking programming, passionate allyship to marginalized artists, advocacy for arts education, and an unwavering commitment to presenting many of today’s most notable American composers.

One of the centerpieces of Rei’s 23/24 season was her recent Carnegie Hall debut. Rei has appeared as a guest conductor with several prestigious orchestras, including, the symphony orchestras of Dallas, Toronto, Winnipeg, St. Louis, Detroit, among others. She is currently the Music Director of the Fresno Philharmonic.

Nuri Kye

Director of Development, Marin Symphony

Facilitating Development Staff

As Director of Development at the Marin Symphony Association, Nuri Kye manages day-to-day fundraising activities and oversees the growth of MSA’s reserves, which has increased from $750,000 to $8 million over the past decade.
Nuri’s professional journey commenced in Public Relations at Cal Performances at the UC Berkeley. She learned the art of using data to support fundraising best practices during her tenure as a development and database consultant at HT Lehmann Consulting, serving notable clients such as Red Cross of the San Francisco Bay Area, Oakland Children’s Hospital Foundation (now UCSF Benioff Children’s Hospital), and Stern Grove Festival.

Connect with Nuri on LinkedIn.

Richard Lonsdorf
Executive Director, New Century Chamber Orchestra

Co-facilitating Executive Directors with Budgets Over $1 Million

Richard Lonsdorf is a San Francisco-based creative producer and performing arts executive (currently of New Century Chamber Orchestra), with over 15 years of experience bringing spectacular live events to life. He creates immersive experience that engage audiences, attract new and returning visitors, and eight everyone involved.

A graduate of Harvard University and Stanford’s Graduate School of Business, Richard has more than a decade of experience serving on the artistic planning teams of several major orchestras, including the San Francisco Symphony, New York Philharmonic, and Los Angeles Philharmonic. He helped produce many innovative orchestra projects, including SF Symphony’s groundbreaking SoundBox series as well as its popular film series.

Ellen Armour Stein
Marketing & Development Director, Fresno Philharmonic

Facilitating Marketing and Patron Services Staff

Ellen Armour Stein is a native of California's San Joaquin Valley, where she lived until attending UCLA. She earned her Bachelor of Arts in Music Composition from the School of Arts & Architecture, and went on to work in project management for the UCLA David Geffen School of Medicine, Google, Chevron, international consulting firm Turner & Townsend, and TETER Architects & Engineers before landing at the Fresno Philharmonic, where she currently serves as Director of Marketing & Development, developing relationships and marketing best practices for an outstanding non-profit arts organization. Ellen is immediate Past Board President and Marketing Chair for the Fresno Arts Council, Fresno State University's Arts & Humanities Advisory Board (AHAB), and the Better Business Bureau of Central California and the Inland Empire. She is Founder of an independent strategic marketing consultancy, turning brands' chaos into clarity. Ellen is also a classical and electronic pianist, vocalist, and composer of 30+ years and loves sharing the beauty and joy of music with others. Ellen lives in sunny Fresno California with her husband and their two children.