Institution: Change in Executive Leadership, Growth in Administration

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
June 19, 2018

SAN ANTONIO SYMPHONY ANNOUNCES CHANGE IN EXECUTIVE LEADERSHIP AND GROWTH IN ADMINISTRATION

SAN ANTONIO—The San Antonio Symphony announces the departure of its Interim Executive Director Karina Bharne on July 7, 2018 after a strong tenure in the institution’s history. After which, the organization will acquire its second Interim Executive Director until Fall 2018—the expected date for a full-time replacement appointment. Earlier this year, the Symphony’s Board of Directors engaged nationally-recognized Arts Consulting Group to execute the search.

Bharne has spearheaded the initiatives that has put the Symphony’s operations on a stable track during a time of resurgence, transition, and change. Her roles at San Antonio Symphony also has included Vice President/General Manager and Director of Orchestra Personnel. “I am honored to have been given the opportunity to serve as the Interim Executive Director for the San Antonio Symphony for the past six months alongside 72 of the finest musicians in the country and our deeply committed staff and board,” Bharne noted. “While the Symphony has undergone dramatic changes prior to and during my tenure, I believe we have finally reached a place of stability, so that the orchestra can flourish and strengthen the ties to the community.”

Prior to San Antonio, Bharne worked as the Director of Operations for Goh Ballet in Vancouver, BC, and in a variety of roles with Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra, Aspen Music Festival and School, and the Wolf Trap Foundation for the Performing Arts. As a trained musician, Bharne earned her BFA in trombone performance and her Masters in Arts Management from Carnegie Mellon University.

Kathleen Weir Vale, Board Chair of the San Antonio Symphony, said, “The first person I called in January when we began anew was Karina Bharne, and our partnership in leadership has been one of collegial collaboration, friendship, and profound mutual respect. Together, and with help from our community, we have ended the season with a balanced budget. While I am sad to see Karina leave us, I am delighted that she will be joining her newlywed husband in the Pacific Northwest. I speak with certainty for the whole of the San Antonio Symphony family in wishing Karina Bharne every happiness and blessing of life and success in her new position. The entire City of San Antonio owes Karina a roaring Brava!”

Since Bharne has been at the helm of the Symphony, the administration’s capacity has increased and leadership in important divisions of the organization such as marketing, finance, and artistic operations has been established. In February of 2018, Bharne hired Katie Brill as Manager of Artistic Planning and Clay Oliver as Staff Accountant. The following March Bharne brought on Janni Toomes as Orchestra Personnel Manager and Dale Dorlin as Director of Marketing. Amelia Reyes joined the team in April as the Membership and Events Coordinator.

These six individuals are only part of the San Antonio Symphony’s growth in administration. Along with the search for a full-time Executive Director, the organization is recruiting for a Director of Finance, General Manager, and Marketing Coordinator. Positions can be found at SASymphony.org.

After seven years of dedication to the San Antonio Symphony, Karina Bharne will join her husband in the Pacific Northwest as the newly appointed Executive Director of Symphony Tacoma.

About San Antonio Symphony
The San Antonio Symphony, established in 1939, is a nonprofit performing arts organization with the mission to inspire and enrich its community by vigorously influencing the artistic fabric of San Antonio through excellent symphonic performance, education and service. Under the dynamic leadership of Music Director Sebastian Lang-Lessing and Assistant Conductor Noam Aviel, the San Antonio Symphony gives more than 100 performances annually, including classics, pops, educational programs, movie concerts, and performances with our fellow resident opera and ballet companies.With more than 70 professional musicians, the Symphony serves over 130,000 people per year including over 40,000 students. For more information about the San Antonio Symphony, please visit SASymphony.org.

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