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Media contact: Alan Gove 604.684.9100 x224
[email protected]
For Immediate Release
MEDIA RELEASE
September 24, 2015
Kelly Tweeddale named new President of the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra
Vancouver, BC – The Vancouver Symphony Orchestra announced today the appointment of Kelly
Tweeddale to the position of President of the Vancouver Symphony Society and VSO School of Music
Society, effective November 16, 2015.
Ms.Tweeddale currently serves as the Executive Director of the Seattle Opera, a position she has held for
thirteen years. In this role, Ms. Tweeddale has been responsible for the management of one of North
America’s premier opera companies, playing a key role in charting the strategic direction for the company,
and overseeing future development projects. Prior to her current role, Ms. Tweeddale was the SO’s Director
of Marketing & Communications for two years. Kelly has also served as Director of Marketing and Public
Affairs for the Cleveland Orchestra, a position she held for two years, and as Director of Marketing and
Communications for the Seattle Symphony, a position she held for eleven years. In addition, she holds the
post of Adjunct Professor for the Masters of Arts Leadership program at Seattle University.
Please refer to Kelly Tweeddale’s full bio at bottom.
Commenting on Ms. Tweeddale’s appointment, Vancouver Symphony Society Board Chair Fred Withers
said, "On behalf of the VSO family, I am thrilled to welcome Kelly Tweeddale as the new President of the
Vancouver Symphony Society and the VSO School of Music Society. Kelly brings a diverse and unique range
of skills and experiences to Vancouver – her proven track record and intimate knowledge of the performing
arts and the challenges and opportunities that confront the performing arts in the 21st century are a perfect
fit for the Vancouver Symphony. We look forward to welcoming Kelly’s passion, energy and leadership
abilities to our orchestra. I would like to personally thank the search committee, comprised of board and
orchestra representatives, for their tireless and professional work throughout the search process – our
Board of Directors is delighted, and confident that we have identified the ideal choice for the next President
of the Vancouver Symphony Society – one who will continue to enhance our reputation and the work we do
in the community, as we approach our 100th anniversary and beyond.”
VSO Music Director Maestro Bramwell Tovey remarked, “I am absolutely delighted in the appointment of
Kelly Tweeddale as President of the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra. Kelly is one of the most widely
respected arts administrators in North America. Her achievements at Seattle Opera, working alongside
legendary General Director, Speight Jenkins, brought the company great renown and made Seattle an
international destination for the operas of Richard Wagner. Her career includes significant achievements at
the Cleveland and Seattle Orchestras. Kelly Tweeddale's appointment is a perfect match for the Vancouver
Symphony Orchestra as we approach a period of transition between music directors and the VSO's
centenary celebrations in 2018/19. I'm greatly looking forward to working with Kelly as we further develop
the VSO's School of Music, our VSO Whistler Orchestral Institute and our now well established annual New
Music Festival. This is a great day in our orchestra's distinguished history.”
Kelly Tweeddale said, “I am thrilled to be joining the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra at a time when it is
poised for both innovation and growth. I’ve been impressed with how the Orchestra, Maestro Tovey, and
the VSO School of Music have made classical music a part of everyday life in Vancouver, from learning an
instrument to experiencing music-making at the highest level throughout the region; making it fertile ground
for my expertise in place-making, audience-building, and utilizing new ideas and technology. I am very much
looking forward to working with Maestro Bramwell Tovey and the VSO family.”
The VSO looks forward to the launch of its 97th Season on Opening Weekend, September 26th and 28th at
the Orpheum.
BIOGRAPHY
Kelly Tweeddale
Kelly Tweeddale serves as Seattle Opera’s Executive Director. She plays a key role in charting the strategic
direction for the company, organizing and supervising the Opera’s daily operations, and generating and
overseeing the company’s budgets. She oversees Seattle Opera’s future development projects: new
media and using technology to expand the organization’s reach; securing a permanent home for the
company’s operations including administrative, rehearsal, production, educational, technical support,
costume and scenic assembly spaces; and creating a culture that maximizes community access, innovation
and collaboration.
Prior to her current role, Tweeddale served as the company’s marketing and communications director. As
marketing director, she led the company in the upgrade of its ticketing, fundraising, and customer service
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software and fulfilled a leadership role in the building of Seattle Opera's new performance venue, Marion
Oliver McCaw Hall, which opened in June 2003.
Tweeddale is currently an adjunct professor for Seattle University’s graduate program for Arts Leadership
and has been an instructor for the University of Washington’s Certificate Program, teaching Marketing and
Public Relations in the Arts. She has previously held leadership positions at Seattle Symphony (Director of
Marketing and Communications) and the Cleveland Orchestra (Director of Marketing and Public Affairs)
where she created the community plan for the opening of Benaroya Hall and the re-opening of Severance
Hall, respectively. She plays a significant role on a number of boards in the arts community: she serves as
vice-chair for a nationwide initiative called Project Audience: a collaborative community looking to
standardize and enhance audience engagement in the arts through technology and practice; has served as
an invited speaker and participant at the 2011-2013 NCPA World Theatre Forum held in Beijing; has chaired
the Board for Tessitura Network, a nonprofit dedicated to software development and support for the
performing arts sector; and serves as co-chair of the Communications Committee and is a member of the
Executive Committee of the Cultural Access Washington, a state legislative initiative which enables
investment in the role the arts play to sustain and enhance community access.
Tweeddale has spent the last 25 years of her career in the performing arts with a focus on developing new
audiences, managing major transitions, increasing participation, and increasing earned and contributed
revenues.
For media inquires, or interview requests related to this story, please contact Alan Gove at 604.684.9100
x224 or [email protected].
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