Symphony Tacoma Executive Director Karina Bharne is one of only twelve orchestra professionals participating in the League of American Orchestras’ Emerging Leaders Program, the field’s prime source for identifying and cultivating the leadership potential of talented orchestra professionals.
The competitive eight-month program began this week with a three-day meeting in New York City and also includes one-to-one coaching, in-depth seminars led by leadership experts, visits with leaders in cultural and performing arts institutions, virtual convenings, and a capstone project culminating at the League’s 2020 National Conference in Minneapolis/St. Paul, MN (June 10-12, 2019). The curriculum develops participants’ individual leadership capabilities and advances strategic thinking, resiliency, and innovation throughout the orchestra field.
“I am honored to be a part of this esteemed cohort and am looking forward to strengthening my leadership capabilities,” said Bharne. “Through the seminars, in-person meetings and virtual convenings, I look forward to deepening my impact on the Tacoma community through my work with Symphony Tacoma.”
“These twelve professionals are stewards of our field’s future,” said President and CEO Jesse Rosen. “They will hone their leadership skills and strategic vision through this flagship League of American Orchestras’ leadership development program, while building a cohort of colleagues they can learn from in years to come.”
Bharne began her tenure with Symphony Tacoma in September 2018. Prior to this, she was the Interim Executive Director with the San Antonio Symphony (January 2018 through July 2018) during a period of significant organizational change for the orchestra. She also served as the General Manager and Director of Orchestra Personnel with the San Antonio Symphony, as well as in a variety of operational roles with Goh Ballet in Vancouver, BC, Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra, Aspen Music Festival and School, and the Wolf Trap Foundation for the Performing Arts. She received her BFA in Trombone Performance and MA in Arts Management from Carnegie Mellon University.
Launched in 2014, the Emerging Leaders Program is the newest chapter in the League’s history of developing orchestral leaders. Along with its previous iteration, the Orchestra Management Fellowship Program, the Emerging Leaders Program has advanced the development of more than 200 alumni—now executive directors and senior executives of orchestras.
Additional League leadership and professional development programs have included the Executive Leadership Programs, Institutional Vision and Critical Issues programs, American Conducting Fellowship Program, and Essentials of Orchestra Management.
The Emerging Leaders Program is made possible by generous grants from American Express, The Andrew W. Mellon Foundation, and the National Endowment for the Arts.