2025 TOP PROFESSIONALS OF THE YEAR
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The 2025 Top Professionals of the Year
January 2026
We sing the praises of those who go above and beyond to keep the arts alive and thriving.
These are the professionals who make the industry tick, but don’t get their names on the marquis: A new works chief, a piano mover, a music publisher, a state senator, a conservatory trustee who also mentors students, a bassoonist who runs an inner-city music center. Each of these individuals goes above and beyond to keep the arts alive and thriving. Most of these names will not be familiar—but they are decidedly praiseworthy. |
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• Joan Beal, Musician, University of Rochester Trustee • Marie-Hélène Bernard, President and CEO, St. Louis Symphony Orchestra • Mary Birnbaum, General and Artistic Director, Opera Saratoga; Dramatic Advisor for Master of Music and Graduate Diploma, The Juilliard School • Benjamin Cadwallader, Executive Director, Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra • Lara Downes, Journalist, Pianist, Creative Partner, National Public Radio, Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra • David Fisk, President & CEO, Charlotte Symphony Orchestra • Jed Gaylin, Music Director, Bay Atlantic Symphony • Delta David Gier, Music Director, South Dakota Symphony Orchestra • Kelley Nicole Girod, Director of New Works, The Apollo Theater • Christopher Gruits, Executive and Artistic Director, Penn Live Arts, University of Pennsylvania • Anny Guartatanga, Senior Program Coordinator, INTEMPO • John Holloway, Executive Director, Seattle Chamber Music Society • Megan Ihnen, Executive Director, Live Music Project • Pamela Jones, Senior Artist Development Manager, OPERA America • Cheyenne King-Bails, Director of Community Experience, Sphinx Organization • Theodore Kuchar, Principal Conductor, National Philharmonic Orchestra of Ukraine, Lviv National Philharmonic Orchestra |
• Makia Matsumura, Senior Operations and Technical Specialist, Yamaha Artist Services • Peggy Monastra, Vice President, G. Schirmer/Associated Music Publishers • Kerriann Otaño, Vice President of Engagement, OperaDelaware • Annika Perkins, President and Superintendent, Texas Center for Arts + Academics • Sebastian Ritschel, Artistic and Opera Director, Regensburg Theater • Leah Rosenthal, Artistic Director, La Jolla Music Society • Lesley Rosenthal, Chief Operating Officer, Corporate Secretary to the Board of Directors, The Juilliard School • Hannah Ross, Director of Learning, Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra • Joshua Simonds, Executive Director, Percussive Arts Society • Adrian Spence, Artistic Director, Camerata Pacifica • Robert Stivers, President, Kentucky State Senate • Randall Umstead, Chair, Department of Music, Furman University • Miran Vaupotić, Founder and Artistic Director, Green Note • Lecolion Washington, Executive Director, Community Music Center of Boston |
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