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  • LOS ANGELES PHILHARMONIC ASSOCIATION APPOINTS JESSICA BALBONI AS DIRECTOR OF EDUCATIONAL INITIATIVES
  • Jul. 9, 2004
  • LOS ANGELES-The Los Angeles Philharmonic Association has named Jessica Balboni Director of Educational Initiatives. After an extensive national search, Balboni was selected to oversee the Philharmonic's educational outreach programs and relations with Los Angeles area schools including the School Partners, Music for Educators, and Kent Kresa Symphonies for Schools programs, as well as the Philharmonic's popular Toyota Symphonies for Youth concerts. In addition, she will lead outreach programs for the Hollywood Bowl, managing the annual SummerSounds children's music festival. Balboni will also plan and develop programs for adults and non-traditional communities, expanding the Philharmonic's outreach to new audiences.

    "Jessica's sweeping knowledge of the arts and education is a rare combination that will be an asset to the Los Angeles Philharmonic," Borda said. "Her strengths will ensure that the Philharmonic continues to deliver educational and community outreach programs that are relevant to the many diverse communities we serve. Her appointment also reaffirms the Philharmonic's commitment of serving as an institution of cultural learning for all of Los Angeles."

    "I am so pleased to be part of the Los Angeles Philharmonic at this dynamic time in the organization's history, and I look forward to sharing the incredible musical vision and resources of this institution with Angelenos throughout the city," comments Balboni.

    Prior to joining the Los Angeles Philharmonic Association, Balboni served as Director of New York City's 92nd Street Y's School of the Arts, the Y's largest outreach program, serving 6,000 children in 25 public schools throughout the city. She also previously served as co-director of What Girls Know, a theater company for adolescent girls, of which she is a co-founder, and associate producer of The Music-Theater Group, a producing organization that commissions, develops and presents original music-theater works. Balboni is a Phi Beta Kappa, magna cum laude graduate of Smith College, from which she received a B.A. in political philosophy.

    ABOUT THE LOS ANGELES PHILHARMONIC

    The Los Angeles Philharmonic begins its 86th season in October 2004 and has developed steadily in artistic stature and prominence since its founding in 1919. Today, under the dynamic leadership of Esa-Pekka Salonen, who became the orchestra's tenth music director in 1992, the Philharmonic is recognized as one of the world's pre-eminent orchestras, received enthusiastically by audiences and critics alike. The Philharmonic presents over 160 programs of classical, world and jazz music each year at the world-renowned Walt Disney Concert Hall and makes its summer home at the historic Southland landmark, the Hollywood Bowl.

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  • Contact:

    Ryan Jimenez, 213.972.3405