2025 Annual Conference Speakers
Click on the speaker names to learn more about them.
Speakers and facilitators are subject to change.
Breakout Session Speakers
Ellen Armour
Development & Marketing Director, Fresno Philharmonic
Ellen is a classical pianist of 30+ years and earned her BA in Music Composition from UCLA, studying under Paul Chihara, Mark Carlson, Roger Bourland, Russell Steinberg, and Dwayne Milburn. She also studied jazz piano & vocal performance by invitation of Kenny Burrel.
A recession-era graduate, Ellen went on to work in project management for the UCLA David Geffen School of Medicine, Google, Chevron, and TETER Architects & Engineers before returning to the arts with the Fresno Philharmonic, where she serves as Development and Marketing Director. Ellen is an avid composer living in Fresno with her husband Dan Stein, step-daughter Sedona (10) and son Maxwell (2).
Speaking at "Dealing With Difficult Donors: Strategies and Solutions" on Friday, August 8, 1:00 PM-2:15 PM.
Danko Druško
Conductor
Danko Druško is a conductor and educator based in California, recognized for his dynamic artistry and commitment to music education. Born in Germany to Croatian immigrant parents, he is a first-generation college graduate and currently serves as the Director of Orchestral Studies at Chapman University. Druško frequently collaborates with the Los Angeles Philharmonic as a guest cover conductor at Walt Disney Concert Hall, the Hollywood Bowl, and The Ford. As Artistic Director of the California Orchestra Academy, he provides high-level pre-professional training to young musicians, ensuring accessibility regardless of economic background.
Druško has conducted orchestras including Frankfurt Radio Symphony, Metropolitan Orchestra Lisbon, Rochester Philharmonic, Budapest Operetta, Frankfurt Opera, and Royal Opera Belgium. He has collaborated with an array of artists across genres, including Alison Balsom, Nicola Benedetti, Lisa Batiashvili, Lukáš Vondráček, Jean-Yves Thibaudet, Ledisi, Simone Young, Philippe Jordan, Thomas Wilkins, Sarah Hicks, David Newman, Louis Langrée, Café Tacvba, Beck, Harry Connick Jr., and Gustavo Dudamel, among others.
A recipient of numerous prizes in Germany, Druško was honored with the Friedrichshafen City Art Award (Künstlerförderpreis) in 2014, an award presented biennially to promising artists advancing regional culture. He also won the County Culture Foundation of Lake Constance Conducting Prize in 2012 and was a Rotary Ambassadorial Scholar in 2011. Before his conducting career, Druško performed as a professional trumpet player and tenor in symphonies and opera houses across Germany.
In addition to his conducting work, Druško partnered with LA-based artist Frances Stark and legendary producer H.B. Barnum to reimagine Mozart’s The Magic Flute for youth wind soloists and string orchestra. The project, commissioned for the Absolut Art Award, was recorded at an iconic Hollywood studio and premiered at the Los Angeles County Museum of Art (LACMA) before touring major museums such as MoMA and the Smithsonian.
Praised as a "miracle worker" by Peninsula Reviews, Druško is a passionate advocate for community engagement through music. He champions the performance of regional and traditional music to unite audiences of diverse backgrounds. He also founded the Hoosier Philharmonic Orchestra & Choir, assembling over 250 musicians for an inaugural performance of Mahler’s Symphony No. 2.
Druško holds advanced conducting degrees from the IU Jacobs School of Music and the Eastman School of Music. His most influential mentors include Cliff Colnot, Arthur Fagen, David Effron, Manfred Schreier, and Hanspeter Gmür. He also earned dual Staatsexamen degrees in Music Education and English Literature/Linguistics from the University of Music Trossingen and the University of Konstanz.
Previous academic appointments include the School of Music at Northern Illinois University and the University of Guelph in Canada. He also passed the highly competitive physical aptitude test required to study sport science in Germany. An avid outdoorsman, Druško draws creative inspiration from nature. He resides in Monterey County with his wife, cellist and arts executive Ameena Khawaja, and their two sons.
Speaking at "The Conservatory’s Role in Shaping the Canon" on Thursday, August 7, 10:30 AM - 12:00 PM.
Noah Gladstone
Music Producer & Owner Hollywood Scoring
Noah Gladstone is a renowned producer and music contractor based in Los Angeles, with over two decades of experience in the music industry. From 2012 to 2022, he worked closely with Riot Games, producing music and organizing live performances for the League of Legends World Championship Opening Ceremonies, helping to elevate esports events to globally recognized spectacles.
As the founder and leader of Hollywood Scoring, Gladstone has spearheaded collaborations with top-tier gaming and esports companies such as Riot Games, Activision Blizzard, Tencent, and MiHoYo—delivering original music compositions, orchestration, and immersive audio experiences. His expertise extends across film, television, studio albums and streaming media, with projects for major studios and platforms including Netflix, NBCUniversal, 20th Century Studios, NEON, Radical Media, Lionsgate, Atlantic Records, and Universal Music. As a music contractor, he has assembled top talent for artists like Charlie Puth, Snoop Dogg, Michael Kiwanuka, Marina Diamandis, The Crystal Method, Imagine Dragons, Steve Hackman and Seth Rogen. Most recently, he contributed scoring support to the critically acclaimed and award-winning animated series Arcane, which earned Emmy, Grammy, and Annie accolades.
Speaking at "Leveling Up: Orchestras and the Rise of Video Game Music" on Saturday, August 9, 10:00 AM -11:15 AM
John Kieser
Co-Founder, JDJK Consulting
John Kieser is co-founder of JDJK Consulting along with his partner Jennifer Dautermann. Together they offer expertise in strategic planning, project design & assessment, media production & distribution, conference design & facilitation, negotiations, grant writing and mentoring. Recently, John was the President and CEO of the Honens International Piano Compeition, providing them with a blueprint for growth and differentiation. Formerly, he held the positons of Director of Partnerships for IDAGIO GmbH, and Media consultant for the New World Symphony where he previously served as Executive Vice President and Provost from 2015 to 2021, overseeing Musician Advancement, Audience Experience, Research and Design, Community and Audience Engagement, and Digital Media. His work in developing concert formats live and online were designed to both attract new audiences and develop the skills of the Fellows. Prior to this, John was with the San Francisco Symphony as General Manager where his responsibilities included strategic planning and management of presentations, facilities, capital improvements, touring, retail, union negotiations. While at SFS, he created SFS Media which produced the multi-media project Keeping Score, Grammy© award winning recordings and has won Emmy Awards for The San Francisco Symphony at 100 and Sweeney Todd. In 2014, he led the team that developed SoundBox, an experimental venue created to test concert formats, audience experience and to develop the skills of the orchestra members.
Speaking at "Spreading the Word: Public Relations in a Post-Newspaper World" on Friday, August 8, 1:00 PM -2:15 PM
Kim Noltemy
President & CEO, Los Angeles Philharmonic
Kim Noltemy began her tenure as President & Chief Executive Officer of the Los Angeles Philharmonic Association in July 2024. She brings to Los Angeles more than a quarter century of leadership experience in American symphony organizations.
She joined the LA Phil from the Dallas Symphony Association, where she served as the President & CEO from January 2018 to June 2024. At the DSA, she expanded programming, community initiatives, and increased performance and professional opportunities throughout the organization including founding the Women in Classical Music Symposium in 2018 and appointing the first female Principal Guest Conductor and Composer-in-Residence. In addition, she led the orchestra on its first international tour in more than 10 years and secured a 100-year lease of the Meyerson Symphony Center. Noltemy led the Music Director search in 2018 and appointed Fabio Luisi as Music Director through 2029. In 2019, she founded the Young Musicians program, which provides free instruments and 8 hours of lessons weekly for 1,800 students in Southern Dallas since its inception. During her 6-year tenure, she greatly increased online access to concerts as part of a strategy to expand audiences and foster a wider appreciation of classical music.
Before joining the DSA, she worked for 21 years for the Boston Symphony Orchestra, most recently as its Chief Operating and Communications Officer, overseeing management of the brands, digital strategy, educational activities, the Boston Pops Orchestra, venues including Symphony Hall and Tanglewood, and $46 million in annual earned revenue. While at the BSO, she also served as President of Boston 4 Celebrations, the separate not-for-profit organization that produces the annual July 4 event featuring the Boston Pops.
Speaking at "CEO Roundtable: Resilience & Adaptation" on Friday August 8, 9:00 AM - 10:15 AM
Cory Schuman
Senior Coordinator, Patron Loyalty, California Symphony
Cory Schuman is an arts administrator originally from central Florida. With previous work experience in university presenting and grant management, Schuman now works in patron services and development with the California Symphony. In her free time, Schuman is an avid comic reader, cook, and cozy gamer. She is currently based in the San Francisco Bay Area with her dog, Biscuit.
Speaking at "Listening to Learn: How Audience Feedback Drives Change at California Symphony" on Saturday, August 9, 10:00 AM -11:15 AM.
Hanneke van Proosdij
Co-Director, Voices of Music
Bio coming soon.
Speaking at "Spreading the Word: Public Relations in a Post-Newspaper World" on Friday, August 8, 1:00 PM -2:15 PM
Casey Williams
Partner, Liebert Cassidy Whitmore
Casey Williams is a Partner at Liebert Cassidy Whitmore, a California law firm serving mission-driven nonprofits and public entities. With over 12 years of experience in employment law, Casey advises nonprofits on governance, compliance, and risk management. Her work helps boards and leadership teams navigate legal obligations and strengthen internal structures to support sustainable operations. She has partnered with a wide range of organizations—from advocacy groups to community clinics and foundations—on governance policies, volunteer management, and crisis response. Casey’s practical, solutions-oriented guidance empowers nonprofits to lead with confidence and integrity in today’s complex regulatory environment.
Speaking at "Best Practices in Board Governance for Symphony Orchestras" on Friday, August 8, 9:00 AM - 10:15 AM
Kedrick Armstrong
Music Director, Oakland Symphony
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.
Kedrick's recent highlights include debuting at the Lyric Opera of Chicago to premiere a new opera, The Factotum, by Will Liverman and K Rico. He also appeared at the Opera Theater of St. Louis as one of the festival’s assistant/cover conductors (Tosca, Susannah). Guest conducting engagements have included a SummerStage and family concert with the Oakland Symphony, DePaul Opera Theater (Candide), and Chicago Opera Theater (Matthew Recio’s The Puppy Episode). He has also served as assistant conductor for Dan Shore’s Freedom Ride at Chicago Opera Theater and music director for Monteverdi’s L’Orfero with Wheaton College’s Opera Mainstage. This season, he leads members of the Chicago Symphony in Daniel Bernard Roumain's Voodoo Violin Concerto No. 1.
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 spent several seasons as the music mentor/supervisor for “EmpowerYouth! Igniting Creativity through the Arts,” a unique collaboration with the Lyric Opera of Chicago and the Chicago Urban League. He also enjoyed working with REACH*TEACH*PLAY at the Ravinia Festival, the Chicago Musical Pathways Initiative, and Chicago Sinfonietta’s Audience Matters.
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.
Speaking at "The Conservatory’s Role in Shaping the Canon" on Thursday, August 7, 10:30 AM - 12:00 PM.
Abby Edmunds
Senior Director of Volunteer Services, Pacific Symphony
Abby Edmunds is Pacific Symphony’s Senior Director of Volunteer Services. Her past professional careers have included work as a professional musician, Music Educator with the Irvine Unified School District (retired), and Director of the AmeriCorps Fellowship Program for Orange County (retired). She lives in Irvine, CA and attended the University of CA, Santa Barbara, for her undergraduate degrees and Concordia University, Irvine, for her Single Subject/Music and Multiple Subject/K-8 teaching credentials. Her personal and professional goals are to keep creating something new and to enjoy every minute of this wonderful life!
Speaking at "Volunteers are the Heart of Pacific Symphony" on Thursday, August 7, 10:45 AM-12:00 PM
Jennifer Hammel Miller
Host/Producer, Classical California's Arcade, Classical California
Jennifer Miller Hammel is a versatile vocalist, recording artist, and voice-over talent with over 20 years of experience. She’s performed in opera, musical theatre, and with companies like Opera Santa Barbara and Long Beach Opera. Her vocals appear in games like League of Legends and Rift, and the film Nerdland. She’s now the morning host on Classical California and produces/hosts the Opera Show, LA Opera On-Air, and the video game music stream Arcade. She also regularly collaborates with the LA Master Chorale and Santa Barbara Symphony. A trained soprano with degrees from St. Mary’s College of Maryland and Westminster Choir College, she also holds an honorary doctorate from Concordia University Irvine.
Speaking at "Leveling Up: Orchestras and the Rise of Video Game Music" on Saturday, August 9, 10:00 AM-11:15 AM
Greg Lassonde
Principal, Legacy Program Specialists (Retired)
Greg Lassonde, retired in 2023, worked in legacy giving beginning in 1992 having completed a decade of the full spectrum of fundraising prior. He consulted in legacy giving the last 15 years of his career and built a diverse base of nearly 100 nonprofits, mostly local and regional, including a handful of national and international clients. He has presented on legacy giving for over two decades, mostly in California but also nationally and in other states. This is Greg’s third appearance with ACSO.
Speaking at "Legacy Giving on 5% of Your Time: Maximizing Impact with Minimal Investment" on Thursday, August 7, 10:45 AM - 12:00 PM
Nicola Reilly
President & CEO, Monterey Symphony
Nicola Shangrow 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. A classically trained violinist, Nicola performs throughout the Peninsula. She is the mother of two sons.
Speaking at "Dealing With Difficult Donors: Strategies and Solutions" on Friday, August 8, 1:00 PM - 2:15 PM.
Barry Silverman
CEO; Acting Ex. Director; Music Director & Conductor, South Coast Symphony
Barry Silverman received his bachelor’s and master’s degrees from USC, with an emphasis in conducting, performance and music education. After USC, he began performing throughout Southern California including the movie studios in Hollywood. His performance credits cover a wide range of media including chamber music, opera, ballet, jazz, pop, and a number of orchestras including the Los Angeles Philharmonic, Hollywood Bowl and the Israel Philharmonic, where he spent four years as principal Timpanist and head of the Percussion section. He is founder and conductor of the South Coast Symphony here in Orange County.
Speaking at "Beyond the Stage: Strengthening Orchestras Through Collaborative Partnerships" on Friday, August 8, 1:00 PM -2:15 PM
LaMae Weber
CEO, Dream Warrior Group
DWG's entrepreneurial CEO. Whether she is presenting breaking trends on the web or at a conference, her commitment to excellence sets her apart from the rest of the field. Since joining Dream Warrior Group (DWG) in 2003, she has increased business revenue and facilitated the growth of its staff. She is a sought-after speaker at Arts Reach and regional social media marketing events.
Weber has managed teams of multi-disciplinary IT, Web development, and social marketing experts for over 50 clients. Weber developed the company’s three- year growth plan and completed the first Content Management Service & System for Performing Arts Organizations.
Speaking at 10 Tools to Optimize Your Website and Improve Marketing and Fundraising Outcomes on Friday, August 8, 9 AM -10:15 AM.
Benham (Nami) Ataee
CTO, Dream Warrior Group
Behnam has over 20 years of experience in the performing arts sector and has collaborated with esteemed organizations such as the Boston Symphony, Geffen Playhouse, Wallis Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts, Pacific Symphony, Cal Poly Humboldt, CU Presents, and Bank of America Performing Arts Center. His work has involved partnering with over 50 leading directors of marketing for arts organizations to enhance their web presence and create streamlined workflows through optimized use of content and marketing management software.
His expertise includes search engine optimization, conversion and path optimization, ticketing systems, AI, analytics, web-based application development, e-commerce, and content management.
Speaking at 10 Tools to Optimize Your Website and Improve Marketing and Fundraising Outcomes on Friday, August 8, 9:00 AM -10:15 AM.
John Forsyte
President & CEO, Pacific Symphony
John Forsyte has served as President and CEO of Pacific Symphony since 1998, guiding its rise as the largest American orchestra founded in the past 50 years. Under his leadership, the Symphony performed at Carnegie Hall, toured China, and expanded its national profile through a PBS debut. He launched acclaimed initiatives including the American Composers Festival, arts-X-press, and Symphony on the Go. Community engagement and youth education have flourished including elementary school partnerships and a large youth ensemble program. Forsyte has balanced budgets for over two decades and quintupled fundraising, earning national awards and leadership roles across Orange County's arts and civic sectors.
Speaking at "CEO Roundtable: Resilience & Adaptation" on Friday August 8, 9:00 AM - 10:15 AM
Catherine Heitz New
CEO, RSC Associates
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.
Speaking at "PRE-CONFERENCE WORKSHOP: Fuel Your Cash Flow with Fundraising Best Practices" on Wednesday, August 6, 1:00 PM -4:00 PM
Theresa Maderia
Director of Marketing and Communications, Philharmonia Baroque Orchestra
Theresa Madeira is Director of Marketing and Communications at Philharmonia Baroque Orchestra, where she leads efforts to grow audiences and elevate the institution’s profile through strategic, story-driven marketing. Data-obsessed and with a passion for making classical music more welcoming and accessible, she spent eight years at California Symphony, where her work resulted in record-breaking subscription growth and revenue. Her earlier career includes senior marketing roles in media and tech, including at Pandora and the Financial Times. Despite 25 years in the Bay Area, Theresa’s British accent remains intact—often upstaging her talking points, which she’s learned to accept and occasionally exploit.
Speaking at "Listening to Learn: How Audience Feedback Drives Change at California Symphony" on Saturday, August 9, 10:00 AM -11:15 AM.
Don Roth
Board Member & Past President, San Francisco Classical Voice
Don Roth’s career included experience with orchestras, educational institutions and presenting organizations. As Mondavi Center’s Executive Director (2006-23), Roth expanded and diversified program offerings, building community engagement within the Sacramento region. Previously, Roth served as President of Aspen Music Festival and School, St. Louis Symphony and Oregon Symphony. As the SF Symphony’s General Manager, Roth initiated the long-standing Adventures in Music arts education program. In his consulting practice, Roth’s most recent engagement was interim Executive Director of the Yakima Symphony Orchestra. He serves on the boards of San Francisco Classical Voice, Bear Valley Music Festival and Alliance Francaise of Sacramento.
Moderator at "Spreading the Word: Public Relations in a Post-Newspaper World" on Friday, August 8, 1:00 PM -2:15 PM
Natalia Staneva
Executive Director, New West Symphony
As Executive Director of the New West Symphony, Natalia’s sphere of influence has spanned from West Los Angeles to Ventura County. Through her exceptional leadership and commitment to growth and sustainability, the organization has fostered new community partnerships and award-winning education initiatives. She holds a master’s degree in business administration and has a CFRE Accreditation.
Speaking at "CEO Roundtable: Resilience & Adaptation" on Friday August 8, 9:00 AM - 10:15 AM
Sarah Weber
Executive Director, Association of California Symphony Orchestras
Moderator at "CEO Roundtable: Resilience & Adaptation" on Friday August 8, 9:00 AM - 10:15 AM
Bill Blake
West Coast Director, AMS Planning & Research
Drawing on over two dozen years in the field as a leader, advocate, manager, educator, and consultant, Bill guides clients large and small through strategic and business planning, facility feasibility studies, and policy development processes as the West Coast Director at AMS Planning & Research. Developing plans that mobilize ideas and aspirations into actionable steps is always Bill’s priority.
Between turns with AMS, Bill was the Managing Director of the B Street Theatre in Sacramento. In his 11 years there, Bill led the planning and development of its $28 million performing arts complex, The Sofia Tsakopoulos Center for the Arts.
Speaking at "If You Don't Know Where You're Going, Any Road Will Take You There: When is it Time for a Strategic Plan?" on Saturday, August 9, 10:00 AM -11:15 AM.
Lauren Frankel
Research Lead and Special Projects Manager, AMS Planning & Research
Lauren Frankel is Research Lead and Special Projects Manager at AMS Planning & Research. She draws on years of experience designing and implementing data collection methods, metrics, and research strategies to help clients maximize their effectiveness and impact.
Lauren holds a BMus from Rice University and a PhD in music history from Yale University. She is currently based in San Francisco and is a passionate supporter of new music.
Speaking at "If You Don't Know Where You're Going, Any Road Will Take You There: When is it Time for a Strategic Plan?" on Saturday, August 9, 10:00 AM -11:15 AM.
Bill Hemstapat
Senior Interactive Music Designer, Riot Games
Bill currently serves as the interactive music designer for League of Legends and Teamfight Tactics at Riot Games. Over the last 10 years of his professional career, music has brought him around to world to work on some of the most amazing things with the most amazing people. Bill is originally from Thailand and while he's been in the US for 12 years now, he can never leave my roots behind. He loves the intersection of culture and music - it always leads him to a new place and to learn more about our society in unexpected ways.
Speaking at "Leveling Up: Orchestras and the Rise of Video Game Music" on Saturday, August 9, 10:00 AM -11:15 AM
Emma Moon
Executive Director & CEO, Philharmonia Baroque Orchestra & Chorale
Emma Moon was appointed Executive Director and Chief Executive Officer of Philharmonia Baroque Orchestra & Chorale (Philharmonia) in October, 2024. Emma Moon was most recently the Director of Development at SFJAZZ, one of the premier jazz presenters in the country, where she led a team to exceed the organization’s contributed revenue goals; recruited the majority of its current Board of Trustees and Development staff; and successfully grew the membership base to over 20,000 members, an institutional record. Prior to SFJAZZ, she worked at the Segerstrom Center for the Arts in Orange County as Vice President of Development during the height of the pandemic. Emma has held key management roles for various Bay Area arts institutions, including Montalvo Arts Center, Other Minds New Music Festival, and the Stern Grove Festival. She has also performed as a flutist with the symphonies of Honolulu, Utah, Berkeley, and the Chautauqua Institution, was a panelist for the San Jose Arts Commission, and served on the Boards of Berkeley Symphony and SFTRAVEL. Emma is a graduate of Yale University and The Juilliard School.
Speaking at "CEO Roundtable: Resilience & Adaptation" on Friday August 8, 9:00 AM - 10:15 AM
Kelly Ruggirello
President, Long Beach Symphony
Kelly Ruggirello has led the Long Beach Symphony since March 2013 which has enjoyed tremendous growth under her tenure. Located in one of the most diverse communities in the nation, under Kelly’s leadership the Symphony launched new, artistic collaborations celebrating the varied musical artistry throughout the region earning the inaugural ACSO Social Impact Award. Under the direction of Music Director, Eckart Preu, 70,000 southern Californians enjoy a Classical and Family series at the 3,000-seat Terrace Theater and a Pops series at the 5,000-seat Long Beach Arena. A former educator, Kelly has held positions with Pacific Chorale, the Orange County School of the Arts, Pacific Symphony and the Los Angeles Philharmonic.
Speaking at "Dealing With Difficult Donors: Strategies and Solutions" on Friday, August 8, 1:00 PM -2:15 PM.
Sean Sutton
Executive Vice President & Chief Operating Officer, Pacific Symphony
Overseeing a $24M operating budget and $42M endowment fund, Sean functions as CFO, director of HR/benefits, IT, and facilities. He provides organizational and strategic planning leadership and serves as liaison with various board committees and performance venues. Projects include CRM/web system conversions, office relocations, and the establishment of an organization-wide volunteer program. He co-wrote a multi-year/multi-disciplinary grant aimed at increasing participation broadly across Orange County. Sean has served in executive roles at LA Opera, LACO, and sound studio EFX Systems. He studied theater at UC Santa Cruz and CalArts and performed as a musician.
Speaking at "Volunteers are the Heart of Pacific Symphony" on Thursday, August 7, 10:45 AM-12:00 PM
Nagham Wehbe
Vice President, Arts Consulting Group
Nagham Wehbe is Vice President and Practice Leader for Strategic Planning and Research at Arts Consulting Group. She holds an MBA in Arts Innovation from the Global Leaders Institute and a Master’s in Communication Management from the University of Southern California. Nagham supports community engagement, strategic planning, and leadership transition initiatives for clients including SFJAZZ, The Drama League, Laguna Playhouse, City of Scottsdale, Central Oregon Center for the Arts, and Native Arts and Cultures Foundation. A certified coach and former media researcher at CBS and 20th Century Studios, she partners with arts and culture organizations to deepen community connections, strengthen leadership, and build sustainable futures rooted in creativity and collaboration.
Speaking at "Beyond the Stage: Strengthening Orchestras Through Collaborative Partnerships" on Friday, August 8, 1:00 PM -2:15 PM
Peer Forum & Idea Exchange Facilitators
Ellen Armour
Ellen Armour, Development & Marketing Director, Fresno Philharmonic
Ellen is a classical pianist of 30+ years and earned her BA in Music Composition from UCLA, studying under Paul Chihara, Mark Carlson, Roger Bourland, Russell Steinberg, and Dwayne Milburn. She also studied jazz piano & vocal performance by invitation of Kenny Burrel. A recession-era graduate, Ellen went on to work in project management for the UCLA David Geffen School of Medicine, Google, Chevron, and TETER Architects & Engineers before returning to the arts with the Fresno Philharmonic, where she serves as Development and Marketing Director. Ellen is an avid composer living in Fresno with her husband Dan Stein, step-daughter Sedona (10) and son Maxwell (2).
Facilitator at Peer Forum for Marketing & Patron Services Staff on Thursday, August 7th, 1:15-2:45 PM and Friday, August 8th, 2:30-3:45 PM.
Chelsea Chambers
Chelsea Chamber, Executive Director, Peninsula Symphony of Northern California
Chelsea Chambers, Executive Director of Peninsula Symphony of Northern California, enjoys a career leading a small but effective team while deepening skillsets in concert production and artist liaising, marketing, operations, outreach programs, governance, and finance. Chambers holds a Bachelor 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.
Facilitator at Peer Forum for Community Orchestras Board & Staff on Thursday, August 7th, 1:15-2:45 PM and Friday, August 8th, 2:30-3:45 PM.
Alex Chu
Alex Chu, Director of Education & Community Engagement, Pasadena Symphony & POPS
Alex Chu has served as the Director of Education & Community Engagement at the Pasadena Symphony since 2015. A former member of the Pasadena Youth Symphony Orchestras (PYSO), Alex returned to the program in 2009 as a viola coach while working as a middle school science teacher. He continued his involvement with the Symphony part-time as the Youth Orchestras Coordinator and Education Manager before fully transitioning to a career in non-profit arts administration.
During his tenure, the PYSO program has grown from three to 11 ensembles, serving over 700 students in the San Gabriel Valley through both after-school and in-school programs. Alex also serves as the Camp Director for Bellis Music Camp, a weeklong summer program for middle school band and orchestra students.
Born and raised in San Gabriel, California, Alex was inspired to pick up the viola by his fifth-grade music teacher, and music has been integral to his life ever since. In his free time, Alex enjoys hiking, reading, tackling escape rooms, and spending time with his wife, Cat, and their two dogs, Calvin and Hobbes.
Facilitator at Peer Forum for Youth Orchestras Board & Staff on Thursday, August 7th, 1:15-2:45 PM and Friday, August 8th, 2:30-3:45 PM.
Sunshine Deffner
Sunshine Deffner, California Symphony
Facilitator at Peer Forum for Operations Staff on Thursday, August 7th, 1:15-2:45 PM.
Kevin Eberle-Noel
Kevin Eberle-Noel, Executive Director, Redlands Symphony Association
Kevin Eberle-Noel is the Executive Director of the Redlands Symphony Association. Previously, he was the Education Manager with Palm Beach Opera and the Director of Artistic Operations and Education at the Las Vegas Philharmonic. Kevin's passion for arts as a community service and desire to create access in the arts drives his work both with the RSA and as a Board Member for ACSO.
Facilitator at Peer Forum for Executive Directors with Budgets Under $1 Million on Thursday, August 7th, 1:15-2:45 PM and Friday, August 8th, 2:30-3:45 PM.
Issy Farris
Issy Farris, Vice President of Operations & Education, Long Beach Symphony
Issy Farris has served as Vice President of Operations & Music Education at Long Beach Symphony since 2017. She served as the Director of Special Events & Education in 2016. Issy started her tenure with the organization as the Manager of Operations & Education in 2014. Each season she produces each of the Symphony’s Classical, Pops, and Education concerts. She also oversees LBSA’s extensive music education programs reaching over 27,000 students each year.
Facilitator at Peer Forum for Education & Community Engagement Staff on Thursday, August 7th, 1:15-2:45 PM and Friday, August 8th, 2:30-3:45 PM.
Emily Rankin
Emily Rankin, Vice President for Development, Pacific Symphony
Emily has served as VP for Development at Pacific Symphony in Southern California since December 2023. Her career spans more than two decades in higher education and non-profits at institutions including UC Riverside, Scripps College, University of San Diego, Opera Pacific, and Byrd Hoffman Foundation.
Emily is past-chair for Council for Advancement and Support of Education's District VII and serves on AFP’s Orange County board. She also serves on the Scripps College Board of Trustees and is president of the Alumnae Association.
Emily holds an Executive MBA from Claremont Graduate University and the Peter Drucker School of Management and a Bachelor of Arts degree from Scripps College.
Emily is an avid volunteer, philanthropist, and doting aunt to her one-year old niece.
Facilitator at Peer Forum for Development Staff on Thursday, August 7th, 1:15-2:45 PM and Friday, August 8th, 2:30-3:45 PM
Alicia Gonzalez
Alicia Gonzalez, Interim Director of Human Resources, San Francisco Symphony
Twenty-five years ago, Alicia ventured into HR by way of an HR Manager where she worked at the time (in customer service). Today, she’s grateful for her time in setting her on a path of service-oriented human resources leadership. After obtaining a Masters degree in Organizational Development, she worked in Training and HR consultation for 10 years and then moved into leadership positions with 211 San Diego, San Diego Symphony, and High Tech High charter schools. She’s happy to now be with the San Francisco Symphony, because she really enjoys supporting orchestral organizations.
Facilitator at Peer Forum for HR Staff on Thursday, August 7th, 1:15-2:45 PM.
Anne-Marie Spataru
Anne-Marie Spataru, Board Member & Board Chair Emerita, Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra
Anne-Marie will complete in June her 3-year term as Chair of the Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra Board which she joined in 2018. She was recently appointed to a 3-year term as co-chair of New Music USA, a national organization dedicated to advancing new music. She retired from UCLA following a 30-year career in the management of significant campus construction projects.
Facilitator at Peer Forum for Board Members of Professional Orchestras on Thursday, August 7th, 1:15-2:45 PM and Friday, August 8th, 2:30-3:45 PM
Jesse Hiser
Jesse Hiser, Senior Director of Finance, Pacific Symphony
Bio coming soon.
Facilitator at Peer Forum for Finance Staff on Friday, August 8th, 2:30-3:45 PM
Megan Twain
Megan Twain, Associate Manager of Operations and Production, Philharmonia Baroque Orchestra & Chorale
Megan Twain is an arts administrator and classical musician. She currently serves as Associate Manager of Operations and Production at Philharmonia Baroque Orchestra & Chorale, where she manages local and touring production logistics. Megan began her offstage career as Assistant Librarian for the San Francisco Symphony Youth Orchestra, and was Principal Librarian for the San Francisco Philharmonic while studying french horn performance at the University of Colorado Boulder. After graduating with her Bachelor of Music degree, she moved back home to San Francisco and joined Philharmonia’s artistic team. In her free time, Megan enjoys attending local theater and planning themed dinner parties.
Facilitator at Peer Forum for Operations Staff on Friday, August 8th, 2:30-3:45 PM
Nadia Liu
Nadia Liu, Executive Director, Young People's Symphony Orchestra
Nadia Liu is the Executive Director of the Young People’s Symphony Orchestra (YPSO), where she leads the day-to-day operations, concert and season planning, student recruitment and registration, fundraising, and donor relations. She works closely with artistic staff to support the musical and educational goals of the organization, while also building community among families, alumni, and partner institutions. Since stepping into the ED role in 2023, Nadia has focused on strengthening internal systems, expanding outreach, and sustaining the legacy of YPSO as the oldest youth orchestra in California. She is passionate about making orchestral music meaningful and accessible to young people.
Facilitator at Peer Forum for Youth Orchestras Board & Staff on Thursday, August 7th, 1:15-2:45 PM and Friday, August 8th, 2:30-3:45 PM
Paul Meecham
President & CEO, Tucson Symphony Orchestra
Paul Meecham has enjoyed a distinguished career in orchestra management, in the UK and for 28 years in the USA. He joined the Tucson Symphony as CEO in 2021, after similar positions with the Seattle Symphony, Baltimore Symphony and Utah Symphony & Opera. He also served as General Manager of the San Francisco Symphony and the New York Philharmonic. He is proud to serve on the ACSO Board.
Facilitator at Peer Forum for CEOs with Budgets Over $1 Million on Thursday, August 7th, 1:15-2:45 PM and Friday, August 8th, 2:30-3:45 PM.