Arizona Opera has named conductor and educator Brian DeMaris as its new President and General Director. DeMaris, who assumes the role with immediate effect, brings extensive experience across opera, musical theatre, orchestral performance and arts education. In his new role, DeMaris will oversee both the artistic and administrative direction of the company, while continuing to conduct and engage in educational initiatives. He succeeds Joseph Specter, who led the company from 2016 to 2024.
Britten Pears Arts has named Angela Mallinson as its new Chair, succeeding Sir Simon Robey, who becomes President alongside Lord Stevenson and Colin Matthews. A trustee since 2020, Mallinson brings over four decades of global artist management experience, including long-term collaborations with Ravi and Anoushka Shankar. Based in Aldeburgh since 2017, she is a longstanding supporter of the organisation and was instrumental in the appointment of current Chief Executive Andrew Comben.
Kristen Turner has been appointed Director of Communications at Bucklesweet. She joins from the Kennedy Center, where she led public relations for the National Symphony Orchestra, Washington National Opera and other classical programming, and has previously held senior communications roles at the San Diego Symphony and Dallas Symphony. At Bucklesweet, Turner will help shape PR strategy and media outreach across the firm’s national portfolio of performing arts and cultural clients. She succeeds Amy Killion, who departs after six years to become PR and Partnerships Manager at Round House Theatre.
Chicago Sinfonietta has appointed Sidney P. Jackson, Jr. as its new President and CEO. A seasoned nonprofit leader with nearly two decades of experience in the arts and social impact sectors, Jackson joins from New Jersey Symphony, where he served as Vice President of Development. He succeeds interim CEO Wendy Lewis, who led the organisation following the departure of Blake-Anthony Johnson.
IMG Artists has strengthened its International Orchestral Touring team with the appointments of Vanessa Tsoi as Vice President and Claudia Stott as Senior Manager. Both join from Intermusica and will work alongside Executive Vice President Peter Ansell from IMG’s London office. Tsoi brings extensive experience across major classical music organisations in Asia and Europe, while Stott contributes a strong background in artist management and international touring in London and Paris.
Composer, conductor, and clarinetist Jörg Widmann will become Artistic Director of the Lucerne Festival Academy in January 2026. He succeeds Wolfgang Rihm, who led the Academy from 2016 until his death in 2024. The appointment was made by Sebastian Nordmann, who will also begin his tenure as Lucerne Festival’s Executive and Artistic Director in 2026. A Lucerne Festival alumnus and long-time collaborator, Widmann is expected to build on the academy’s mission of championing contemporary music, an ethos established by Pierre Boulez and Michael Haefliger when they founded the Academy in 2004.
Melbourne Recital Centre has appointed Iain Grandage AM as its new Director of Programming. A renowned artistic leader, Grandage brings a wealth of experience across classical, contemporary and cross-cultural music, following his five-year tenure as Artistic Director of Perth Festival. His appointment comes at a pivotal time for the centre, as it prepares for major developments including the launch of the Peter and Ruth McMullin Beacon in 2026 and the Melbourne Arts Precinct Transformation in 2028. Grandage, who begins his tenure on 28 July 2025, succeeds Marshall McGuire, who stepped down in February 2025 after nearly a decade in the role.
Opera Las Vegas has appointed soprano Cecilia Violetta López as its new General Director and CEO. A celebrated performer and arts leader, López returns to the company where she began her professional career in 2012, becoming the fifth person to hold the role in its 27-year history. She succeeds Jim Sohre, who will remain with the company as Artistic Director. A UNLV alumna, López steps down from her role as Opera Idaho’s first Artistic Advisor to take on the post, which she will hold alongside her international singing career.
The Philadelphia Orchestra and Ensemble Arts has appointed Ryan Fleur as its new President and CEO, following his role as interim leader since January 2025. Fleur, a visionary arts executive with over 30 years’ experience, has played a key role in the organisation’s growth over the past 13 years, including its recent merger and major community initiatives. His appointment comes as the orchestra prepares to celebrate its 125th anniversary, with board chair Ralph Muller praising Fleur’s “innovative vision and unwavering commitment to artistic excellence” and Music Director Yannick Nézet-Séguin highlighting his dedication to uniting communities through music.
Cathy Dennis, the Grammy and Ivor Novello award-winning songwriter behind hits for Britney Spears, Kylie Minogue and Katy Perry, has been elected to the PRS Members’ Council. She joins fellow new Writer Council Members Tom Gray, Chair of the Ivors Academy, and composer and songwriter Philip Pope. Confirmed at PRS’s AGM earlier this month, PRS Chair Julian Nott welcomed the appointments, highlighting the “wealth of knowledge” they bring to the society, which represents over 175,000 songwriters, composers and publishers. The AGM also saw PRS for Music announce record figures, with £1.02 billion paid out to rights holders in 2024—up 8.1 per cent on the previous year—bolstered by strong online, live and international revenues.
Broadcaster and business adviser James Max has been elected President of the Royal Albert Hall, succeeding Ian McCulloch, who played a key role in advancing the Hall’s Private Bill during his tenure. A Council member since 2012, Max most recently served as Vice President and Chair of the Programming, Archive and Marketing Committee. He brings experience across business, media and public affairs, as well as a long-standing commitment to the UK’s cultural sector.
