Speaker(s): Afa Dworkin, President and Artistic Director, Sphinx Organization; Mark Hanson, President and CEO, Baltimore Symphony Orchestra; Jonathon Heyward, Music Director, Baltimore Symphony Orchestra; Deborah Rutter, Vice Provost for the Arts, Duke University; and Simon Woods, President and CEO, League of American Orchestras

The opening keynote address will be given by arts and culture leader Deborah Rutter. Currently Duke University’s Vice Provost for the Arts, Rutter believes more than ever that orchestras of all sizes everywhere must connect with the hearts and minds of all community stakeholders. She will address strategies and approaches that create innovative and genre-expansive programming, develop broader audiences, sustain support, and lead to meaningful and transformational change.

Another highlight of the opening will be the presentation of the League’s Gold Baton award to the Sphinx Organization. Since 1997, Sphinx has been dedicated to transforming lives through the power of the arts in creative youth development, artist empowerment, career advancement, administrative leadership, and service to the field. Focused on increasing representation in classical music and celebrating excellence, Sphinx programs serve beginner students, seasoned classical music professionals, cultural entrepreneurs, and artistic administrators by addressing the systemic lack of access within Black and Latino communities.

The Opening Session has been generously co-sponsored by Akustiks, HGA, and Schuler Shook.

Speaker(s): Lara Downes, Pianist and NPR Host; David Hyslop, Arts Consultant; Alan Mason, Board Chair, League of American Orchestras; Arturo O’Farrill, Jazz Musician and Composer; Jennifer Teisinger, Executive Director, South Dakota Symphony Orchestra; and Simon Woods, President and CEO, League of American Orchestras

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During the Closing Luncheon on Wednesday, June 3, we’ll hold the League’s Annual Meeting and present the Gold Baton award to David Hyslop for nearly six decades in leadership roles throughout the orchestra field, including his unprecedented service as interim CEO at 14 orchestras around the country of all budget sizes. Hyslop was CEO of the Minnesota Orchestra (1991-2003), the St. Louis Symphony Orchestra (1978-1991), and the Oregon Symphony (1972-1978).

Conference concludes with an inspirational sneak peek of “The Declaration Project,” featuring pianist and NPR host Lara Downes and jazz musician and composer Arturo O’Farrill in performance and conversation. This groundbreaking project for piano and orchestra weaves together music and personal narrative in a contemporary declaration of our collective hopes, struggles, and untold histories, and will premiere in New York in July 2026.