Amy Williams Appointed President and CEO of the Kalamazoo Symphony Orchestra

Kalamazoo, MI (March 5, 2026) — The Kalamazoo Symphony Orchestra (KSO) Board of Directors announced today that Amy Williams has been appointed as the new President and CEO of the KSO, effective May 26, 2026. She joins the KSO from the Savannah Philharmonic in Savannah, GA, where she has served as CEO since 2020. During her time in Savannah, she led a comprehensive transformation that has strengthened the organization artistically, financially, and within the community.

Williams succeeds Jessica Mallow Gulley, who left Kalamazoo to join the Saint Paul Chamber Orchestra as President and Managing Director in October 2025. Since Mallow Gulley’s departure, orchestra manager veteran Jonathan Martin has served as Interim President and CEO of the Symphony.

“The KSO Board of Directors and I are delighted to welcome Amy to Kalamazoo and to the Symphony,” said KSO Board Chair Karen Isble. “We are confident that her years of experience and deep commitment to artistic excellence, music education, and robust community engagement will serve the KSO well in building upon the incredible growth and exciting programming the KSO has brought to our community.”

Williams steps in as the Kalamazoo Symphony Orchestra embraces its second century of music-making, education, and service to the Kalamazoo community in pursuit of the KSO’s vision to serve its community through outstanding musical listening and learning experiences.

As the incoming President and CEO, she will serve as a visionary and collaborative leader, bridging the gap between the Kalamazoo Symphony Orchestra’s rich 100-year legacy and its future as a relevant, stable, and inclusive cultural cornerstone.

Partnering closely with Music Director Julian Kuerti, the KSO staff, and musicians, Williams will work to expand the Symphony’s annual reach throughout Southwest Michigan. She will champion the KSO’s mission by fostering diverse artistic collaborations and ensuring that symphonic music remains an accessible, vibrant part of everyday life for the entire Kalamazoo community.

“In the short time I have had to get to know Amy, she has impressed me on so many levels,” said Symphony Music Director Julian Kuerti. “Above all, it's amazing how quickly she has come to know and appreciate the spirit of the orchestra and our community. I can't wait to start writing the next chapter of the KSO together!”

A recognized bridge builder, Williams brings experience in aligning artistic ambitions with institutional sustainability and in bringing together musicians, staff, board leaders, civic partners, and community stakeholders toward a shared strategic focus. By prioritizing the creation of shared musical experiences, Williams significantly expanded the Savannah Philharmonic’s audience and more than doubled the organization’s operating budget.

Her commitment to community engagement is exemplified by “Phil the Neighborhoods,” an innovative pop-up concert initiative that brings Savannah Philharmonic musicians into communities across Savannah. The program has expanded first-time audience participation, strengthened relationships in historically underserved neighborhoods, and supported music education programs throughout the city, broadening the Savannah Philharmonic’s civic presence.

“On behalf of the Musicians of the Kalamazoo Symphony Orchestra and Local 228, we welcome Amy Williams to the Kalamazoo family,” said Nora Frisk and Edward “Kip” Hickman, co-chairs of the Symphony Musicians Committee. “We are eager to begin our artistic collaboration and build upon the organization’s momentum, ensuring the KSO remains a vibrant cornerstone of the arts in our region.”

From 2018–2020, Williams served as Managing Director of Camerata Pacifica, helping stabilize and prepare the organization for long-term sustainability during a period of growth and transition. In partnership with the Artistic Director/Founder and Board, she strengthened governance, expanded contributed and earned revenue, revitalized planned giving, and achieved record ticket sales.

Earlier, she held senior artistic, education, and administrative roles with the Santa Barbara Symphony (2011–2018) and the Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra (2007–2011). At the Santa Barbara Symphony, she built and led a comprehensive Music Education Center serving thousands of students annually, managed unionized musicians within collective bargaining agreements, and collaborated across artistic, development, and marketing functions to align programming with community needs.

“I am truly excited to work alongside the Board, staff, and musicians to lead the Kalamazoo Symphony Orchestra as the next President and CEO, continuing its great momentum and history of bringing to life musical programs in the concert hall, classrooms, and throughout the region,” said incoming President and CEO Amy Williams.

Williams holds a Doctor of Musical Arts from The Ohio State University, a Master of Music from the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, and a Bachelor of Music, cum laude, from Ithaca College. She has served as a board member of the Association of California Symphony Orchestras and remains active in national service organizations within the orchestral field.

ABOUT THE KALAMAZOO SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA

For over a century, the Kalamazoo Symphony Orchestra (KSO) has been sharing lifelong musical experiences and learning throughout the Kalamazoo community. The KSO actively collaborates with other Kalamazoo area organizations to inspire, care for, educate, and connect people through the arts. As the state’s third-largest orchestra, in Michigan’s sixth-largest metropolitan area, the KSO serves the community with a professional roster of more than 80 musicians and a dedicated staff through exceptional symphonic music, world-class guest artists, and a vibrant educational program.

The KSO receives significant support from the Irving S. Gilmore Foundation, the Kalamazoo Community Foundation, and is supported by the Michigan Arts and Culture Council. Recognitions, awards, and grants include a major Ford Foundation grant to establish an innovative Artists in Residence program and recognition from Carnegie Hall’s Weill Music Institute. The KSO also receives generous support from other local, state, and national foundations, as well as private and corporate support.

###