AMERICAN COMPOSERS ORCHESTRA - Key Persons
Professional Affiliations: Former Founder and CEO of RailEyes Holdings (March 2023 exit), Board Member Aga Khan Economic Planning Board Northeast, MBA from Columbia Business School.
Professional Affiliations: Vice President of Rhône, Former Director at Lazard in New York, Former investment banking Analyst at Atlas Advisors in New York, Received an A.B. in Economics and a Certificate in Finance from Princeton University.
Three-time GRAMMY-nominated violinist/composer Curtis Stewart aims to translate stories of self determination to the concert stage. Tearing down the facade of "Classical Violinist," Stewart is in constant pursuit of his musical authenticity, treating art as a battery for realizing citizenship. He enjoys bouncing between MTV specials with Wyclef Jean and sold out shows at Madison Square Garden with Stevie Wonder to stints at the Kennedy Center with the Jimmy Heath Big Band and runs at the Guggenheim, MoMA and Whitney Museums in NYC. Curtis has performed as a classical soloist at Lincoln Center, with the New York Philharmonic Bandwagon, as well as held chamber music residencies at Carnegie Hall, the MET Museum and National Sawdust. His work realizes a vision to find personal and powerful connections between styles, cultures, and music. Curtis teaches at The Juilliard School, Perlman Music Program, has been commissioned to write works for the Royal Conservatory of music, The Virginia Symphony, The Eastman Cello Institute, New York Festival of Song, PUBLIQuartet, and Carnegie Hall: Play/USA.
Job Titles:
- Vice Chair
- Jonathan Bailey Holland / Vice Chair
Jordan Musser (he/him) joins ACO from Cornell University, where he served as Program Coordinator of the Cornell|Westfield Center for Historical Keyboard Studies and as Public Relations Coordinator of the Cornell Concert Series. He completed a Ph.D. in Musicology from Cornell as well, thereafter publishing on and teaching topics in contemporary music as Instructor of Art and Music Histories at Syracuse University. As Program Manager, Jordan stands committed to composer advancement, seeking fresh ways of enabling and advocating for new-musical expression among the artists and communities we serve.
Professional Affiliation: Soprano, Artistic Advisor for Portland Opera, Co-Director Opera Program at the Banff Centre for the Performing Arts, Co-Chair of the Women's Opera Network with OPERA America.
Kevin James (he/him) is a noted educator, a world-class performer and composer, a writer, a thinker, and an obsessive problem solver. His groundbreaking models for community engagement and out of school arts education for disadvantaged children have had a dramatic impact on the lives of countless children and have influenced the work of dozens of organizations in New York City and beyond. He's served on several university advisory boards and regularly sits on selection committees and expert panels.
Former Executive Director at JPMorgan Chase, including Head of External Reporting/Investor Relations for the Investment Bank and COO/CFO of the Global Debt Capital Markets business. Former Foreign Affairs Specialist at the U.S. Department of Energy. Columbia Business School and Yale College. Yale Library Council.
Job Titles:
- Director of Artist Equity
Noted as a "classical agitator" by Minnesota's Star Tribune, Loki's overall work and mission is rooted in the decolonization of "classical" music in the United States. Loki offers presentations, workshops, and guest lectures at the intersections of race, contemporary culture, and "classical" music with past collaborators including the Kennedy Center, the Apollo Theater, and countless schools, conservatories, and universities. Loki is the host and producer behind nationally syndicated radio programs including "The Sound of 13" and "Gateways Radio," and is the Executive Producer of the TRILLOQUY podcast, noted by the New York Times as "required listening for industry leaders and listeners alike."
Job Titles:
- Director of Development
- Development and Philanthropy
- Director of Development & Communications
Lyndsay Werking joined ACO in 2017 and is based in Queens, NY. Accomplishments of recent years include launching ACO's Commission Club, reenergizing ACO's external communications via email, website, and social media, securing capacity-building grants from the MacMillan Family, Altman Foundations, and Baisley Powell Elebash Fund, first-time grants from TD Charitable and Sphinx Venture Fund, and increasing individual giving by sixty percent. You can write to her about social media collaborations and making a gift to ACO.
Melissa Ngan cultivates personal and organizational growth through creative acts and collaborative practices. She has over fifteen years of experience in civic practice-based program design; arts administration; diversity, equity, and inclusion practices; professional development and entrepreneurship in the arts; and as a professional flutist. Melissa was previously Founder and CEO of the Chicago-based Fifth House Ensemble. Active as a speaker and educator, she serves on the faculties of the Eastman School of Music, DePauw University, and DePaul University, and has presented at Opera America, Chamber Music America, and College Music Society. She has consulted with major arts institutions, resulting in bold new directions in civic practice and emerging artist training; recent partners include The Cleveland Orchestra, The Cleveland Institute of Music, and San Francisco Opera.
Partner, TimesSquare Capital Management; Former media equity analyst at Morgan Stanley where he was a multiple year member of Institutional Investor All-America Research Team; Leadership Council, Americares, a disaster relief and global health organization; Board member of Perrot Memorial Library
Sameera Troesch currently advises clients within Triton International Limited on a variety of legal matters and was formerly counsel at Mitsubishi Corporation (Americas), and a corporate associate in Sullivan & Cromwell LLP's New York and London offices. She holds an AB from Harvard College, where she was involved with the Lowell House Opera. Having previously served as a young patron of various arts organizations in London and New York City, Troesch joined the Board of ACO in 2018. Her dedication to ACO took on new relevance after a personal loss, which cemented her desire to help young, talented artists pursue their dreams, particularly in music.
Received his music degree in piano performance and piano pedagogy from the Music Academy at the University of Zagreb. Resident of Savannah and New York City. Former Chairman, Savannah Philharmonic. Board Member, American Traditions Vocal Competition.
Job Titles:
- Director
- Director / Associate Conductor, LA Philharmonic 's Hollywood Bowl Orchestra
Job Titles:
- Operations & Production Manager
Steven Behr (he/him) began studying violin at the age of four. His previous work in orchestra administration has included roles in production and artistic administration with American, Atlanta, and Jerusalem Symphony Orchestras. Steven is passionate about bringing the works of under-performed and living composers to light. He has served as Board President for the Long Island Youth Orchestra since 2017 and is committed to the musical development of the next generation of young performers.