Seattle Symphony and Benaroya Hall Name Jeremy S. Rothman as President & Chief Executive Officer

Photo Credit: Jeff Fusco

Rothman Has Held Executive Leadership Roles With The Philadelphia Orchestra and Ensemble Arts as Well as The Baltimore Symphony Orchestra

Seattle, WA — Seattle Symphony Board Chair Susan Coughlin has announced that Jeremy S. Rothman will join the Seattle Symphony and Benaroya Hall as President & Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Leslie Jackson Chihuly Chair, effective September 1, 2026. His appointment comes at a pivotal moment as the organization prepares to celebrate the reopening of Benaroya Hall at the start of the 2026/2027 season.

Bringing a spirit of artistic innovation and a passion for community engagement, Rothman will advance a comprehensive vision for the growth of the Seattle Symphony and Benaroya Hall, enhancing these artistic and civic institutions as cornerstones of Seattle’s cultural life. As President & CEO, Rothman will lead their combined strategy and operations, ensuring that the Seattle Symphony remains accessible, relevant and inspiring to audiences locally and around the world, and that Benaroya Hall warmly welcomes its community while continuing to rise as a major performing arts and events center for the region.

Rothman currently serves as Chief Artistic Officer of The Philadelphia Orchestra and Ensemble Arts, where he oversees a programming portfolio of more than 300 orchestral, theatrical, educational and popular presentations annually across the institution’s three venues. A veteran symphony leader, Rothman has played key roles in major artistic initiatives, including the recruitment of Music Director Yannick Nézet-Séguin at The Philadelphia Orchestra and the historic appointment of Marin Alsop as Music Director of the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra.

Rothman brings more than 25 years of experience in orchestral management and performing arts leadership, with a track record of driving artistic innovation, institutional growth and cross-disciplinary collaboration. Throughout his career, he has championed programming that broadens audience engagement and connects cultural institutions more deeply with their communities.

“Jeremy is a visionary arts executive who combines a deep wealth of musical knowledge with a strategic approach to audience growth, fundraising and institutional leadership,” said Coughlin. “He helped guide one of the most significant organizational transformations in the field through the merger of The Philadelphia Orchestra and the Kimmel Center, and brings the experience and perspective needed to lead the Seattle Symphony and Benaroya Hall into our next chapter, including the continued evolution of Benaroya Hall as an ever more vibrant civic and cultural gathering place.”

Music Director Xian Zhang added, “I am very excited to welcome Jeremy to Seattle. His passion for music, commitment to artistic excellence and understanding of how orchestras connect with their communities make him an inspiring partner as we continue to build on the Symphony’s momentum. I look forward to an exciting future together.”

“I am thrilled to join the Seattle Symphony and Benaroya Hall at this transformative moment as the building reopens, creating new opportunities to bring people together through artistically bold performances that connect audiences of all backgrounds,” said Rothman. “I am a longtime admirer of Xian, a leader of great imagination and musicianship, and have collaborated with her on several projects, including a GRAMMY-winning album with Time for Three and The Philadelphia Orchestra. The combination of her artistic vision, the great artistry of the Seattle Symphony musicians, the organization’s deep commitment to its community and Benaroya Hall’s role as a cultural anchor in downtown Seattle create tremendous opportunity to present uniquely exciting performances that foster deeply meaningful connections. I look forward to collaborating with Xian, the board, musicians, staff and wider community to welcome everyone to hear the orchestra and experience Benaroya Hall.” 

Coughlin also recognized Maria K. Yang, who has served as Acting CEO during the international search while maintaining her ongoing role as Chief Development & Project Officer. “I am grateful to Maria for her outstanding stewardship of the organization during her time as Acting CEO. Maria has led the organization through the adoption of a new strategic vision and closer alignment between Seattle Symphony and Benaroya Hall. Her leadership in this capacity and oversight of our successful $20 million Amplify capital campaign have beautifully positioned our organization for continued success. As we prepare to welcome Jeremy, our entire Board extends heartfelt thanks to Maria and the senior staff for their leadership.” 

With a profound commitment to expanding and diversifying the symphonic repertoire, Rothman has initiated or commissioned over 50 new orchestral works, the majority of which are composed by women or BIPOC artists, including two Pulitzer Prize-winning compositions. He has also secured grants to support the restoration and proliferation of works by historically overlooked composers like Florence Price and William Grant Still. 

Through meaningful partnerships with cultural and social service organizations, Rothman has expanded the reach of the performing arts into communities across the country and around the world by presenting artists in community centers, hospitals and social service settings. Innovative collaborations with organizations — ranging from NASA to local libraries — demonstrate the versatile impact of the performing arts. And he has broadened access to orchestral music through digital media platforms, spearheading multiple GRAMMY Award-winning recordings and crafting local and national radio broadcast series.

Rothman has produced countless high-profile events, including The Philadelphia Orchestra’s essential role in Pope Francis’ internationally televised visit to Philadelphia. He has written for and collaborated with notable artists such as Sting, Steve Martin, Queen Latifah, Billie Jean King, John Williams, Whoopie Goldberg and Hugh Jackman, among many others. And he has produced programming for more than a dozen international tours throughout Europe, Israel and Asia, with a particular focus on cultural exchange in China. During the pandemic, his innovative approach to virtual programming bridged communities and small businesses struggling from the shutdowns.

About Seattle Symphony

Under the leadership of Music Director Xian Zhang, the Seattle Symphony unleashes the power of music, brings people together and lifts the human spirit. Recognized as one of the “most vital American orchestras” (NPR), the Seattle Symphony is internationally acclaimed for its inventive programming, community-minded initiatives and superb recordings on the Seattle Symphony Media label. With a strong commitment to new music and a legacy of over 150 recordings, the orchestra has won five GRAMMY Awards, 27 GRAMMY nominations, two Emmy Awards and was named Gramophone’s 2018 Orchestra of the Year. The Symphony performs in Benaroya Hall in the heart of downtown Seattle from September through July, reaching over 500,000 people annually through live performances and radio broadcasts.

 About Benaroya Hall

Benaroya Hall, the home of the Seattle Symphony, is located in downtown Seattle. Opened in 1998, Benaroya Hall is the most-visited performing arts venue in Seattle. It has received numerous awards, including a 2001 American Institute of Architects (AIA) National Honor Award for outstanding architecture. Benaroya Hall has three versatile performance venues, the S. Mark Taper Foundation Auditorium, the Illsley Ball Nordstrom Recital Hall and Octave 9: Raisbeck Music Center, all renowned for their pristine acoustics, luxurious design and prime location. For additional information, including rental information and event listings, visit benaroyahall.org. 

Jeremy S. Rothman’s position is generously underwritten as the Leslie Jackson Chihuly President & CEO.

?Music Director Xian Zhang is generously sponsored by Dr. and Mrs. Charles and Lisa Simonyi and an anonymous donor.

Xian Zhang’s position is generously underwritten as the Harriet Overton Stimson Music Director.