NASHVILLE SYMPHONY - Key Persons
Job Titles:
- Chorus Coordinator & Librarian
Job Titles:
- CEO
- Member of the Board of Directors
- President
- Its President and CEO
- Member of the League of American Orchestras
Alan D. Valentine joined the Nashville Symphony as its President and CEO in June 1998. Since then, he has presided over an unprecedented period of growth at the Symphony, highlighted by a total of 14 GRAMMY® Awards and 26 GRAMMY® nominations; more than 30 highly regarded and best-selling CD releases on the Naxos, Decca and New West labels; nine national television broadcasts, one of which won an Emmy Award; multiple national radio appearances, including the internationally syndicated series American Encores; two Carnegie Hall appearances; an East Coast tour; two successful capital and endowment campaigns in which a total of $145 million was raised; and the construction of the acoustically superb Schermerhorn Symphony Center, which opened in September 2006.
Valentine shepherded the Nashville Symphony through the Great Recession of 2008-09, a catastrophic flood in 2010 which caused $40 million in damage to the Schermerhorn, and a troubled debt restructuring in 2013. Under his leadership, the institution emerged from these challenges with an unwavering commitment to its mission and artistic vision, subsequently achieving record-breaking ticket sales and fundraising.
Valentine currently serves on the Board of Directors of the League of American Orchestras and the Steering Committee for Nashville's Agenda. He is a former member of the boards of the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences (Nashville Chapter), the Nashville Chamber of Commerce, the Nashville Arts Coalition, the Association of Non-Profit Executives, Center for Nonprofit Management, Nashville Downtown Partnership and the Nashville City Club. In addition, he is a member of the Rotary Club of Nashville, a 2002 graduate of Leadership Nashville and a 2008 graduate of Leadership Music.
Prior to his Nashville appointment, Valentine served for 10 years as executive director of the Oklahoma Philharmonic Society in Oklahoma City, Okla. He also served on the adjunct faculty of Oklahoma City University, where he taught graduate-level arts administration courses. A graduate of the University of Houston, Valentine has served as the chief executive of the Mid-Columbia Symphony in Richland, Wash., the Greensboro (N.C.) Symphony and the Chattanooga Symphony and Opera Association, and he served for two years as orchestra manager of the San Antonio Symphony.
During his career, Valentine has helped produce multiple national television and radio broadcasts, many commercial recordings, and numerous local media projects. Other accomplishments include managing several successful endowment campaigns and playing a significant role in leading three orchestras into successful major concert hall renovations, prior to the Schermerhorn Symphony Center project in Nashville.
A longtime member of the League of American Orchestras, Valentine has served at various times as chairman of his Managers Meeting Group and as a member of Policy Committee A, in addition to his current Board service. He is a former member of the Managers Media Committee, has served on a number of other League committees, and has led two negotiations on behalf of the field relating to music copyright issues.
Job Titles:
- Director of Digital Graphics
Job Titles:
- Vice President of Artistic Administration
Job Titles:
- Immediate past Chair
- Member of the Officers Team
Andrew Risinger, a native of Texas, has been making music in Nashville since 1991. Having played with the Nashville Symphony at various times over many years, Mr. Risinger now holds the position of Organist for the Nashville Symphony. Mr. Risinger is a graduate of Baylor University where he studied organ with renowned performer Joyce Jones. Further studies took Mr. Risinger to the University of Alabama, Tuscaloosa where he earned a double Master's Degree in Organ Performance and Choral Conducting, studying organ with the late J. Warren Hutton and conducting with Sandra Willetts. Mr. Risinger is Organist and Associate Director of Music of West End United Methodist Church in Nashville and serves on the adjunct faculty of Belmont University.
In 1994, Andrew was awarded second prize in the American Guild of Organists' National Young Artists Competition in Organ Performance, and he is a past winner of the William C. Hall Organ Competition in San Antonio. As a concert artist he has performed throughout the United States including performances at the National Cathedral in Washington D.C., St. Patrick's Cathedral in New York City, and Trinity Church, Copley Square in Boston. Mr. Risinger has also performed as a soloist with the Illinois Symphony as well as the Nashville Symphony.
Job Titles:
- Director of Artistic Administration
Job Titles:
- Member of the Venue Management Team
- Stage Door Receptionist
Job Titles:
- Member of the Board of Directors
Job Titles:
- Member of the Board of Directors
Job Titles:
- Member of the Board of Directors
Job Titles:
- Member of the Board of Directors
Job Titles:
- Member of the Board of Directors
Job Titles:
- Assistant Lighting Director
Job Titles:
- Member of the Board of Directors
Job Titles:
- Member of the Board of Directors
Job Titles:
- Director of Ticketing & Sales
Job Titles:
- Vice President of Marketing
Job Titles:
- Assistant
- Orchestra Personnel Manager
Job Titles:
- Assistant Manager of Artistic Administration
Job Titles:
- Member of the Board of Directors
Job Titles:
- Ticketing & Customer Team Specialist
Job Titles:
- Member of the Board of Directors
Job Titles:
- Assistant Conductor
- Principal Pops Conductor Interview W / Big Joe
Job Titles:
- Ticketing & Customer Team Specialist
Job Titles:
- Member of the Venue Management Team
- Security Officer
Job Titles:
- Member of the Venue Management Team
- Associate Vice President for Venue Management for the Schermerhorn Symphony Center
- Vice President of Venue Management
Eric Swartz joined the Nashville Symphony as the Associate Vice President for Venue Management for the Schermerhorn Symphony Center in November 2005. Eric and his team will be responsible for engineering, maintenance, security and technical operations.
Eric is no stranger to facility management. He grew up in the field of professional baseball working for his father managing a stadium and spring training facility in Florida. Most recently, Eric served 19 years at the Tennessee Performing Arts Center (TPAC) working up the ranks to Vice President & General Manager. During his tenure Eric has had the title of Audio Engineer, Technical Director, Production Manager and Director of Operations. He has managed or coordinated the technical aspects for theatrical productions, television/film, festivals and fundraisers. After his TPAC tenure, Eric returned to the production industry providing video and production services to corporate clients including specialized video taping of surgeries.
Eric graduated from David Lipscomb University with a degree in communications and theatre and is a member of the International Association of Assembly Managers (IAAM).
Job Titles:
- Member of the Venue Management Team
- Facility Maintenance Technician
Job Titles:
- Manager of Artistic Administration
Job Titles:
- Ticketing & Customer Team Specialist
Job Titles:
- Member of the Board of Directors
Job Titles:
- Member of the Board of Directors
Job Titles:
- Member of the Board of Directors
Job Titles:
- Vice President of Human Resources & Inclusion
Job Titles:
- Assistant
- Senior Executive
Job Titles:
- Chairman Emeritus
- Director
- Member of the Board of Directors
- Member of the Officers Team
- Secretary of the Board of Directors
Job Titles:
- Corporate Engagement Manager
Job Titles:
- Patron Engagement & Crescendo Club Manager
Jacob joined the Nashville Symphony staff as Patron Engagement Officer in November 2019, returning as Patron Engagement & Crescendo Club Manager in July 2021. His prior employment to the Nashville Symphony includes Individual Giving Coordinator at the Cleveland Institute of Music and Customer Success Specialist at ServiceSource for technology company Cisco Systems.
A southwest Ohio native, Jacob received his Bachelor of Music degree, Church Music Ministry, from Cedarville University in 2015. Moving to Nashville for graduate studies in August 2015, he received his Master of Music degree, Classical Violin Performance, from Belmont University in 2017 where he was awarded the Belmont University President's Award as Classical Performer's Concerto Competition Winner, performing the first movement of Samuel Barber's Concerto for Violin and Orchestra, Op. 14 with the Belmont University Symphony Orchestra.
Jacob maintains his passion for performing as Violin II in Nashville-based string quartet, La Vie Quartet, in addition to performing with Viva La String-Nashville, a string-based chamber music group available for live performances, events & weddings, music videos, recording projects, and more.
Job Titles:
- Member of the Board of Directors
Job Titles:
- Member of the Board of Directors
Job Titles:
- Member of the Board of Directors
Job Titles:
- Member of the Board of Directors
Job Titles:
- Member of the Board of Directors
Job Titles:
- Orchestra Personnel Manager
Job Titles:
- Member of the Board of Directors
Job Titles:
- Chief
- Member of the Venue Management Team
- Technical Engineer
Job Titles:
- Member of the Board of Directors
Job Titles:
- Senior Event Sales Manager
Johnathon McGee has six years' experience in the food and beverage industry. He began his career as a banquet server with Opryland Hotel in 2005. After a two-year stint, he established an extensive management background in the restaurant and automotive industries.
In 2009, Johnathon joined the Nashville Symphony as a banquet server, certain to excel with a highly trained management team to guide him. Asserting his training, organizational and leadership skills, he quickly moved forward with the company. In November 2011, he was honored to join the management team as food and beverage supervisor.
Job Titles:
- Chairman
- Member of the Board of Directors
- Member of the Officers Team
Josh Walliser joined the Nashville Symphony as a stagehand in December 2007 and became the Stage & Production Assistant in August 2011, before becoming Production Manager in early 2014. Prior to working for the Nashville Symphony, he worked as a freelance stagehand for a number of different audio production companies in the Nashville area. Native to South Carolina, Josh moved to Tennessee in 2001 to attend Middle Tennessee State University, where he studied Music Production & Technology and graduated with a B.S. in Mass Communication. While not at work, Josh enjoys hiking, cycling and spending time with his wife and daughter.
Job Titles:
- Patron Engagement Officer
A native Tennessean, Judith Wall joined the Nashville Symphony staff as a marketing associate in November 2002. She attended Martin Methodist College in Pulaski, Tenn.; has more than 15 years' experience in phone marketing; and spent 20 years in the medical profession working as a medical assistant.
Judith resides in Spring Hill with her husband, Joe. She enjoys spending time with her grandchildren, sewing, gardening and learning to play the cello.
Job Titles:
- Interim Vice President of Communications
Tennessee native, Karen Warren started with the Nashville Symphony in June of 1997. She is a graduate of the University of Tennessee, Knoxville with a BS in Business Administration - emphasis in accounting & finance. Previously she worked in the telecommunications industry as corporate billing manager.
In her spare time she enjoys listening to all kinds of music, reading, crafts and vegetarian cooking. Karen has 4 house rabbits and is a true animal lover; active in various animal welfare groups, including Bunny Rescue Nashville and Rabbitwise's Bunderground Railroad.
Job Titles:
- Member of the Board of Directors
Job Titles:
- Vice President of Development
Katy Odenbaugh joined the Nashville Symphony in January 2013. She previously worked in a variety of administrative roles in and around the Nashville area. She is a Nashville native and earned her Bachelor of Science degree in Psychology from Middle Tennessee State University.
Job Titles:
- Education and Community Engagement Program Manager
Kelley Bell received her Bachelor of Arts in English Literature at Centre College, where she also began pursuing a career in nonprofit performing arts. Her background in this field spans a broad spectrum of organizations, including the Danville Community Arts Center, River North Chicago Dance Company, The Great American Brass Band Festival and the Norton Center for the Arts. She first joined the Nashville Symphony's Education and Community Engagement Department in 2011. As program manager, Kelley continues to forge partnerships between the Symphony and local nonprofits, organizations and artists to create engaging programs for the community.
In her spare time, Kelley writes fiction and poetry, takes classes in circus arts, and reads whatever books she can find.
Job Titles:
- Chief Engineer
- Member of the Venue Management Team
Kenneth Dillehay joined the Nashville Symphony as Maintenance Tech in May 2008. Previously, Kenneth was a Maintenance Tech at the Sheraton Nashville downtown for 15 years. While at the Sheraton, he was responsible for the laundry and kitchen equipment repair.
A Nashville native, Kenneth has been many places but always seems to come back home to Nashville. Kenneth's family includes his wife, Monika, and one on the way.
Job Titles:
- Member of the Board of Directors
Job Titles:
- Patron Engagement & Governing Members Manager
Job Titles:
- Director of Education and Community Engagement
- Vice President of Education & Community Engagement
Kimberly Kraft McLemore joined the Nashville Symphony in January of 2017 as the Accelerando Manager. Prior to joining Education and Community Engagement team, Kimberly worked as a high school choir and theater teacher, in addition to performing as a festival clinician and freelance musician.
Kimberly earned a Bachelor of Music Education degree from the University of Tennessee at Martin and a Master of Music in Choral Conducting from the Pennsylvania State University. Kimberly has served as a member of the Fine Arts Standards Writing Committee for the State of Tennessee Board of Education, and the ensemble manager for the Tennessee Music Educators Association's state conference. Kimberly continues to serve as the choir manager for All-National Honor Ensemble for the National Association for Music Education national conference.
Job Titles:
- Ticketing & Customer Team Specialist
Job Titles:
- Member of the Board of Directors
Job Titles:
- Assistant Production Manager & Audio Engineer
Job Titles:
- Member of the Board of Directors
Job Titles:
- Member of the Board of Directors
Job Titles:
- Member of the Board of Directors
Job Titles:
- Ticketing & Customer Team Manager
Luke Henry joined the Nashville Symphony in June of 2022 after finishing a Bachelor's in Music Composition at the Jacobs School of Music at Indiana University. Before Luke joined the Symphony, he previously worked in other non-profit organizations to manage new concert opportunities for upcoming composers and artists as well as multiple renown ensembles such as the Spektral Quartet and Transient Canvas. His mission is to engage communities through the creation of dynamic collaborations in all art forms. In addition to working for the Symphony and composing, Luke enjoys spending his time in museums and traveling.
Job Titles:
- Member of the Board of Directors
Job Titles:
- Member of the Board of Directors
Job Titles:
- Member of the Board of Directors
Job Titles:
- Member of the Board of Directors
Job Titles:
- Member of the Board of Directors
Job Titles:
- Chairman of the Board
- Director
Job Titles:
- Member of the Board of Directors
Job Titles:
- Member of the Board of Directors
Job Titles:
- Patron Engagement Manager
Job Titles:
- Member of the Officers Team
- Performance & Special Events
Job Titles:
- Ticketing Operations Manager
Job Titles:
- Member of the Board of Directors
Job Titles:
- Member of the Board of Directors
Job Titles:
- Member of the Board of Directors
- Immediate past Board Chair
Job Titles:
- Member of the Board of Directors
Job Titles:
- Education & Community Engagement Program Manager
Job Titles:
- Volunteer & Stewardship Coordinator
Job Titles:
- Member of the Board of Directors
Job Titles:
- Member of the Board of Directors
Job Titles:
- Education & Community Engagement Program Coordinator
Job Titles:
- Member of the Officers Team
- Spirits of Summer Chair
Job Titles:
- Member of the Board of Directors
Job Titles:
- Manager
- Manager of Development / Communications & Stewardship
- Manager of Volunteer Services
Sarah Tomkinson joined the Nashville Symphony as the Manager of Volunteer Services in the summer of 2021. Previously, she worked in news, working in newsrooms in Nashville, Decatur, IL and Burlington, IA. A Central Illinois native, Sarah grew performing in bands and bell choirs, competing for state titles at Millikin University. You can see her competition piece complete with notes hanging in her office at the Schermerhorn.
Job Titles:
- Orchestra Production Manager
Job Titles:
- Database Associate
- Senior Database Associate
Sheila Wilson began working for the Nashville Symphony as a Database Assistant in 2003. She moved here from Salt Lake City in 1987, where she worked in the skiwear industry.
Sheri Switzer joined the Nashville Symphony in 2007. Sheri grew up in Little Rock, Arkansas, and holds a Bachelor of Business Administration from Harding University in Searcy, Arkansas. Her primary responsibilities are to perform the accounting functions for the Nashville Symphony. She has previously worked in accounting in both the corporate and private sectors, as well as for a nonprofit organization in Arkansas.
Sheri enjoys reading, hiking, practicing yoga and shopping. She also loves to spend time with her family and friends, especially her nephews! Sheri and her husband Marshall live in Lenox Village with their two "four-legged" children, Boss and Stormy.
Job Titles:
- Member of the Board of Directors
Job Titles:
- Member of the Board of Directors
- Treasurer of the Board of Directors
Job Titles:
- Member of the Venue Management Team
- Stage Door Receptionist
Job Titles:
- Member of the Venue Management Team
- Director of Security and Front of House
Job Titles:
- Member of the Board of Directors
Job Titles:
- Recording Engineer & Assistant Production Manager
Job Titles:
- Member of the Board of Directors
Job Titles:
- Member of the Board of Directors
Job Titles:
- Member of the Board of Directors
Job Titles:
- Member of the Venue Management Team
- Housekeeping Manager
Wade Johnson joined the Nashville Symphony as the Housekeeping Manager for the Schermerhorn Symphony Center in December 2006. Wade came to the Symphony Center via 13 years at the Tennessee Performing Arts Center in capacities ranging from audio to the facility maintenance manager. Prior to that, working commercial and industrial maintenance at the Texaco Heritage Plaza in Houston, TX where Texaco's world headquarters were housed.
Wade is a gym owner and personal trainer to competitive powerlifters and elite athletes from various sports. He is an accomplished musician, published songwriter and frequent contributor to strength magazines and web sites. Wade holds several world records and titles in powerlifting and a strongman and Olympic lifting competitor.
Job Titles:
- Member of the Board of Directors
Job Titles:
- Member of the Board of Directors
Job Titles:
- Assistant Manager of Orchestra Production