MINNESOTA ORCHESTRA NAMES KERRY SMITH AS VICE PRESIDENT OF ARTISTIC PLANNING

The Minnesota Orchestra announced today that Kerry Smith has been named the Leni and David Moore, Jr. vice president of artistic planning. In the role, she’ll collaborate with Music Director Thomas Søndergård to guide and bring to life the organization’s artistic vision. Originally from the Twin Cities, Smith currently serves as vice president of artistic planning of the Utah Symphony | Utah Opera. She begins her new role on September 1.

“We are very happy to welcome Kerry to the Minnesota Orchestra—and back to her hometown,” said Music Director Thomas Søndergård. “She is a rising star in our field who deeply understands this community, and I look forward to collaborating with her to build compelling programming, projects and artistic initiatives for our audiences in the seasons ahead.”

As vice president of artistic planning, Smith will be responsible for the multi-season design and execution of the Orchestra’s overall artistic programming, including cultivating artistic relationships, collaborating on repertoire selection, and developing plans for commissioning, recording and special initiatives in alignment with the organization’s strategic direction. In addition to collaborating with Søndergård, she’ll work closely with the musicians’ Artistic Advisory Committee, artistic staff colleagues, Board leadership, and President and CEO Isaac Thompson. She succeeds Erik Finley, who left the role in March to pursue a consulting career.

“I am beyond thrilled to join the Minnesota Orchestra as vice president of artistic planning. It is an honor to have the opportunity to work with a deeply profound musician such as Thomas Søndergård, and I am already inspired by his creative vision for the institution,” said Smith. “I can't wait to work with the musicians of the Minnesota Orchestra, as this ensemble has been my North Star for artistic excellence since childhood. I look forward to coming home, and I hope to be able to give as much back to this musical community as it gave to me."

During her time in Utah, Smith oversaw classical, and pops programming for the symphony at Abravanel Hall—working with Music Director Designate Markus Poschner—and managed summer season programming at the annual Deer Valley Music Festival. She previously held leadership roles in artistic planning with the North Carolina Symphony, Sarasota Orchestra and Louisiana Philharmonic Orchestra. She began her career as an administrator at the Colburn School in Los Angeles.

Growing up in the Twin Cities, Smith played viola in the Greater Twin Cities Youth Symphonies as a student and went on to receive a bachelor’s degree in viola performance from the University of Wisconsin-Madison. She later received graduate degrees from the Université de Montréal and the University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music.

“Kerry will bring a wonderful combination of artistic vision and operational discipline to this role,” said President and CEO Isaac Thompson. “Her collaborative approach, ability to listen and connect with people and her broad vision for the fundamental role an orchestra should play in its community are very much in alignment with our values and culture. She will be an important voice on our leadership team, and we are thrilled to welcome her.”

PRESS CONTACTS

Gwen Pappas, Vice President of Communications and Public Relations
gpappas@mnorch.org

Alexandra Robinson, Content and Communications Manager
arobinson@mnorch.org