HR profiles MD

Christina Moon

Director of Human Resources
Baltimore Symphony Orchestra
Baltimore, Maryland
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Years in current position: 2
Years in the field: 9

Majors:
English and History, double major

Additional Training:
Certification courses, non-certification courses

Career Path:
Started in the training arm of human resources
Manager of Training, Capital Restaurant Concepts
Director of Human Resources, Deluxe Restaurant Group
Director of Human Resources, Big Steaks Management

What are the most surprising, interesting or challenging aspects of your day-to-day work?
Everything! The orchestra world was new to me. I knew little about classical/symphonic music, and I certainly did not know anything about the inner workings of an orchestra. I had never before worked with unions, so that has been challenging.

What inspired you to work for an orchestra?
I answered a CareerBuilder ad. This was the job I was most excited about. My husband is a classical music nut, and was very excited for me. I knew it was the right job for me from the get-go. Chefs (with whom I’d been working for years) and musicians have very similar personalities—or as I say, “chefs are musicians with different instruments.”

What advice would you offer to someone considering the orchestra field?
I was really good at my job so the progression to training came naturally. I would say that showing dedication and committment to doing the job right, every day, was what got me noticed and got me promoted through the ranks.

Any other advice?
You have to have a thick skin to work behind the scenes in the orchestra world. It isn’t about us—it's about the musicians and the music.