experience it collectively - and this will always be relevant.
As a leader, what qualities do you believe are most important in guiding an arts organization like the Chicago Philharmonic in today’s moment?
I’ve always let curiosity lead my own work. One of the most valuable pieces of advice I’ve heard is to “be open, but not attached to outcome.” I purposely make room for spontaneity - and some of our greatest events (including “An Evening with Sleeping At Last”) have come from very spontaneous ideas and connections.
The Chicago Philharmonic is a small but mighty team that produces 35 concerts annually. My role is often to encourage everyone to take a step back, question traditions, and bring back that
room for curiosity, for spontaneity.
What inspiration do you hope the Chicago Philharmonic Society will bring to those in
our city (Chicago) and beyond?
I hope we inspire people to continue to see the importance of the arts. Great art requires great audiences - and we are always in the business of growing and inspiring those audiences.
What advice would you give to aspiring young musicians hoping to make a mark in the
classical music industry?
Don’t subscribe to some set path. There are so, so many paths to take, and so many more that can be forged. What sustains our industry isn’t perfect set paths, but our connections with each other.