Admin WA

Krina Allison

Executive Director
Student Orchestras of Greater Olympia
Olympia, Washington
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Years in current position: 8
Years in the field: 18

Majors:
B.A. Music Education
Master’s in Music Education

Career Path:
Band Director 
Youth Orchestra Executive Director
Rescue Mission Development Director

What are the most surprising, interesting or challenging aspects of your day-to-day work?
Working part-time and trying to keep up with all the work, including board, development, marketing, financials, volunteers, community relations/partnerships, and technology (website).

What inspired you to work for an orchestra?
I think it is vital that children participate in music and are offered an outlet outside of the public school music program.

Would you have done anything differently?
Today, executives of orchestras are being trained in orchestra management and that would have been a great experience back in my college days.

What advice would you offer to someone considering the orchestra field?
Be an excellent musician (perform reguarly in an ensemble yourself). Be an educator (public school music teachers have a different perspective and you should be their advocate and supporter). Get your certification in orchestra management.

Loma L. Cobbs

Executive Director
Tacoma Youth Symphony Association
Tacoma, Washington
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Years in current position: 15
Years in the field: 15

Majors:
Math/Physics

Additional Training:
Music since the age of four, business, business law

Career Path:
Teaching Assistant, Assistant Professor, Professor

What are the most surprising, interesting or challenging aspects of your day-to-day work?
Variety, new challenges, and the excitement that comes with working with kids through music.

What inspired you to work for an orchestra?
My early music education.

What advice would you offer to someone considering the orchestra field?
Work with the best mentors available, especially in the area you want to pursue. Take internships, volunteer, or whatever is necessary.

Any other advice?
Learn all aspects of every job within the office.

David Hollingshead

Executive Director
Spokane Youth Symphony
Spokane, Washington
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Years in current position: 3.5
Years in the field: 19

Majors:
B.A. Education
M.S. Communincations

Career Path:
Entrepreneaur
Educator, Spokane District 81
General Manager, Coeur d’Alene Summer Theatre

What are the most surprising, interesting or challenging aspects of your day-to-day work?
The parents’ ability to contribute to the mission through their connections and influence is surprising and interesting. Most challenging: parents.

What inspired you to work for an orchestra?
Talented kids and non-profit culture have a purity that imbues creativity into business decisions; forming alliances with the for-profit sector.

Would you do anything differently?
Goals aren’t meant to be achieved, necessarily, but to give direction. Many paths are forks in the woods and choosing one over the other makes all the difference (paraphrasing Robert Frost).

What advice would you offer to someone considering the orchestra field?
All levels of communication are valuable. From one-on-one to small groups to public speaking, the ability to exchange and facilitate ideas is paramount. Also being able to recognize opportunity and seize it requires imagination.

Any other advice?
Know your strengths and try to recognize the particular strengths of others. Not being able to play anything other than the radio does not detract from administering an arts organization.