LEADERSHIP
Giuliano kornberg
Chief revenue and development officer Sacramento Philharmonic & Opera by Laurie Lauletta-Boshart
Giuliano Kornberg immersed himself in the music scene while attending Stanford University as an undergraduate student in music with a concentration in percussion performance , and then as a graduate student in music , science and technology . He was a student ambassador for many different areas of the university ’ s arts programs . In addition to performing , Kornberg discovered he had a knack for the administrative side of music .
In 2016 , after graduate school , the Minnesota native got a job as an artistic administration intern with the San Francisco Opera while sending out feelers for a permanent position . He heard back from Alice Sauro , executive director of the Sacramento Philharmonic & Opera . The organization sought a development associate to help raise funds and cultivate support . Sauro liked Kornberg ’ s energy and experience and offered the 23-year-old the role .
“ I was really lucky to be in the right place at the right time , and that someone like Alice was open and receptive to bringing me onboard ,” says Kornberg , 28 . “ I ’ m very grateful to her , the board and the entire organization for giving me a shot .” Kornberg proved adept at fundraising and networking and quickly moved up the ranks . In December 2020 , he was promoted to chief revenue and development officer and now helps create the organization ’ s strategy for fundraising and revenue efforts .
Like most arts organizations , the Sacramento Philharmonic & Opera was challenged during the pandemic , when all live events were canceled . Kornberg tapped into as many COVID-19 relief funding sources as he could find , in addition to soliciting donations from individuals , companies and foundations . “ We were very fortunate that we didn ’ t have to furlough staff and that , organizationally , we were able to pivot pretty quickly and continue to provide the service of music for the Sacramento communities , which is so supportive of us and the arts in general ,” he says . The Sacramento Philharmonic & Opera produced some digital , livestreamed symphonic music and opera concerts and , more recently , held small live pop-up performances with trios , quartets and quintets .
Kornberg still plays music and has a hodgepodge of instruments in his loft , including a guitar , a keyboard and other percussion instruments . But his favorite instrument is a marimba , which he describes as a big xylophone with a unique sound . He uses music to relax and recharge , and says it gives him a boost of energy and helps him think more clearly .
Kornberg has found that his background in and passion for music have been definite assets in his professional life . “ In fundraising , I think authenticity is really important and being genuinely passionate about the things you ’ re speaking about with donors or potential contributors is really important ,” he says . “ Being able to work in this role , while talking about something that I love , studied and performed for five years in college , and pretty much my whole life before that , is amazing .”
MURAL BY DAVID PUCK ; STOOL DESIGN BY TRENT DEAN
32 comstocksmag . com | July 2021