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League of American Orchestras Appoints
Ken Cole
as Vice President, Learning and Leadership Development
New York, NY (April 9, 2014) — League of American Orchestras President and CEO Jesse Rosen has announced the appointment of Ken Cole as vice president, learning and leadership development. Cole will lead the League’s programs designed to identify and develop talent for America’s orchestras. His responsibilities will include overseeing the League’s National Conference; producing and managing the organization’s professional development, artistic, and re-granting programs; as well as managing an expansive network of peer convenings among staff, trustees, volunteers, and conductors.
Cole will work at both the League and his current workplace, the National Guild for Community Arts Education, during a transitional period beginning June 2, and will assume fulltime duties at the League on September 2. He replaces Polly Kahn, who is stepping down in June after fourteen years at the League.
Rosen commented, “Ken is a seasoned, accomplished, and widely recognized leader in professional development in the arts who began his professional life as an orchestral musician. He is a perfect fit and I’m thrilled to welcome him to the League family.”
Cole has served as associate director of the National Guild for Community Arts Education, the national service association for nonprofit arts education organizations, since 2008, joining the Guild as program director in 2004. During his tenure, he has overseen the Guild’s program, communications, and marketing departments, developing
Photo credit: Preston Cros Photography
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and producing numerous national conferences and training events, publications, research
studies, grant-making programs, and the Guild’s Community Arts Education Resource
Center. From 2001 to 2004, Cole served as director of advancement at the Levine School
of Music in Washington, DC. Cole was also executive director of GALA Choruses,
development director for the Fairfax Symphony Orchestra, and development associate
for the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force. He was a professional violist for more than
a decade, at Fairfax Symphony Orchestra (1987-1997) and Baton Rouge Symphony
Orchestra (1985-1987).
Cole received a Bachelor of Music in viola performance from Oberlin College
Conservatory and a Master of Music in viola performance, Louisiana State University.
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The League of American Orchestras leads, supports, and champions America’s
orchestras and the vitality of the music they perform. Its diverse membership of
approximately 800 orchestras across North America runs the gamut from worldrenowned
symphonies to community groups, from summer festivals to student and youth
ensembles. The only national organization dedicated solely to the orchestral experience,
the League is a nexus of knowledge and innovation, advocacy, and leadership
advancement for managers, musicians, volunteers, and boards. Its conferences and
events, award-winning Symphony magazine, website, and other publications inform
music lovers around the world about orchestral activity and developments. Founded in
1942 and chartered by Congress in 1962, the League links a national network of
thousands of instrumentalists, conductors, managers and administrators, board
members, volunteers, and business partners. Visit americanorchestras.org.
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