American Symphony Orchestra League

New York, NY · Founded 1973

National service organization supporting and championing America's orchestras and their vital role in communities

Primary audience
Orchestra Organizations
Work area
Professional Association
Topic
Performing Arts
Contact
Simon Woods
Website Contact

About Organization

The American Symphony Orchestra League serves as the national advocate and resource hub for orchestras across the United States. Based in New York, NY, the organization supports its members through professional development, research, and advocacy initiatives. With annual revenue of $6.2 million and a staff of 31 employees, the League works to strengthen the orchestra field and advance its impact on American cultural life.

What They Focus On

Orchestra Support

Provides comprehensive resources, training, and consulting services to strengthen orchestras across all organizational aspects and budget sizes

Performing Arts Advocacy

Champions the cultural and economic value of orchestras through policy work, research publications, and public awareness initiatives

Professional Development

Delivers leadership training, skill-building programs, and networking opportunities for orchestra professionals at all career levels

Financial Information

Form 990 data showing organizational financial health and growth.

Revenue (2023)

$6.2M

+0% vs 2023

Assets (2023)

$9.3M

+0% vs 2023

Year Revenue Expenses Assets Employees
2023 — — — —
2023 $6,226,869 $7,250,076 $9,335,103 31
2021 — — — —
2021 $7,956,381 $6,773,420 $11,866,825 33
2020 — — — —
2020 $6,931,089 $7,240,118 $11,789,942 33
2019 $4,846,726 $8,067,720 $11,342,143 35
2018 $9,953,080 $8,248,058 $10,934,684 32
2017 $5,008,329 $7,080,872 $9,130,271 38

Source: IRS Form 990 filings. All figures in USD.

How They Work

Learn more
  • 01

    Connect Members

    Brings together orchestra leaders, musicians, and administrators through national conferences and regional gatherings

  • 02

    Provide Resources

    Delivers research, best practices, and practical tools tailored to orchestra management and artistic excellence

  • 03

    Advocate Nationally

    Champions orchestras in policy discussions and promotes their cultural and economic value to communities

  • 04

    Build Capacity

    Strengthens organizational effectiveness through training programs and strategic guidance for member institutions

Programs and Initiatives

Services and programs offered by American Symphony Orchestra League

Advocacy & Leadership

Advances policy initiatives and provides executive leadership training for orchestra administrators and board members nationwide

Professional Development

Delivers conferences, workshops, and educational programs for orchestra professionals across all disciplines and career stages

Member Services

Offers consulting, networking opportunities, and specialized support to orchestras of all sizes and budget levels

Team & Leadership

Meet the people behind American Symphony Orchestra League.

SW

Simon Woods

President And CEO
Full-time
Compensation: $419,211
RS

Robert Sandla

Editor In Chief Symphony
Full-time
Compensation: $123,335
AE

Audrey Elliott-Risbud

Senior Director Dev.
Full-time
Compensation: $114,600
AA

Alberta Arthurs

Director (Outgoing)
2 hrs/week
EY

Edward Yim

Director (Outgoing)
2 hrs/week
LS

Laurie Skjerseth

Director (Outgoing)
2 hrs/week
MR

Michael R Mayton

Director (Outgoing)
2 hrs/week
SC

Steve Collins

Director (Outgoing)
2 hrs/week
SW

Simon Woods

President And CEO
HN

Heather Noonan

VP Advocacy
Full-time
Compensation: $234,624
MB

Marlah Bonner

VP Of Development
Full-time
Compensation: $210,313
KY

Karen Yair

VP Knowledge Learning
Full-time
Compensation: $164,238
CT

Caen Thomason-Redus

VP Inclusion & Learning
Full-time
Compensation: $162,012
AC

Andrew Clark

VP. Finance & Adm.
Full-time
Compensation: $158,850
RR

Rachel Rossos Gallant

Vice Pres. Marketing
Full-time
Compensation: $150,274
EA

Elizabeth Arnett

VP Knowledge Learning
Full-time
Compensation: $117,735
AS

Afa S Dworkin

Director
AP

Alan Pierson

Director
AV

Alan Valentine

Director
BW

Bob Wagner

Director
BA

Burton Alter

Director
CC

Catherine C Moye

Director
CD

Charles Dickerson III

Director
CS

Charles Schweizer

Director
DB

Daniel Bernard Roumain

Director
DS

Daniel Song

Director
DA

David Alan Miller

Director
DR

David Roth

Director
DM

Douglas M Hagerman

Director
EB

Elizabeth Brown-Ellis

Director
EW

Elizabeth Watson

Director
GG

Gary Ginstling

Director
HS

Helen Shaffer

Director
HP

Henry Peyrebrune

Director
IT

Isaac Thompson

Director
JH

Jamei Haswell

Director
JR

James Roe

Director
JC

Janet Cabot

Director
JB

Jennifer Barlament

Director
JM

Jennifer Mondie

Director
JH

Jim Hasler

Director
JL

John Loder

Director
JL

John Lofton

Director
JD

Judy Dines

Director
KL

Kathy Leibrand

Director
KL

Kjristine Lund

Director
LL

Leslie Lassiter

Director
LN

Lindsey Nova

Director
MD

Mark D Peacock

Director
MJ

Mark Jung

Director
MC

Mary C Patton

Director
ML

Mary Louise Gorno

Director
MH

Mieko Hatano

Director
MM

Mitch Menchaca

Director
PC

Pamela Carter

Director
PA

Patricia A Richards

Director
PH

Paul Higginbotham

Director
PS

Pratichi Shah

Director
RP

Rick Prins

Director
RN

Robert Naparstek

Director
RW

Robert W McDonald

Director
RJ

Russel Jones

Director
SH

Sharon Hatchett

Director
SW

Sheila Williams

Director
TS

Trine Sorensen

Director
WG

William Gettys

Director

Milestones

1973

IRS Recognition

1973

Received federal tax-exempt status as national service organization for orchestras

2018

Revenue Peak

2018

Achieved record annual revenue of nearly $10 million supporting expanded programs

2021

Post-Pandemic Recovery

2021

Led field-wide initiatives helping orchestras navigate COVID-19 challenges and reopening strategies

Associated People

Board members, advisors, and key contributors

Board of Directors

AF
Aaron Flagg Vice Chair 2.00 hrs/week
AS
Afa S Dworkin Director 2.00 hrs/week
AM
Alan Mason Chair 2.00 hrs/week
AP
Alan Pierson Director 2.00 hrs/week
AV
Alan Valentine Director 2.00 hrs/week
BW
Bob Wagner Director 2.00 hrs/week
BA
Burton Alter Director 2.00 hrs/week
CC
Catherine C Moye Director 2.00 hrs/week
CD
Charles Dickerson III Director 2.00 hrs/week
CS
Charles Schweizer Director 2.00 hrs/week
CD
Chris Doerr Treasurer 2.00 hrs/week
DB
Daniel Bernard Roumain Director 2.00 hrs/week
DS
Daniel Song Director 2.00 hrs/week
DA
David Alan Miller Director 2.00 hrs/week
DR
David Roth Director 2.00 hrs/week
DM
Douglas M Hagerman Director 2.00 hrs/week
EB
Elizabeth Brown-Ellis Director 2.00 hrs/week
EW
Elizabeth Watson Director 2.00 hrs/week
GG
Gary Ginstling Director 2.00 hrs/week
HS
Helen Shaffer Director 2.00 hrs/week
HP
Henry Peyrebrune Director 2.00 hrs/week
HD
Howard D Palefsky Treasurer (Outgoing) 4.00 hrs/week
IT
Isaac Thompson Director 2.00 hrs/week
JH
Jamei Haswell Director 2.00 hrs/week
JR
James Roe Director 2.00 hrs/week
JC
Janet Cabot Director 2.00 hrs/week
JB
Jennifer Barlament Director 2.00 hrs/week
JM
Jennifer Mondie Director 2.00 hrs/week
JH
Jim Hasler Director 2.00 hrs/week
JL
John Loder Director 2.00 hrs/week
JL
John Lofton Director 2.00 hrs/week
JD
Judy Dines Director 2.00 hrs/week
KL
Kathy Leibrand Director 2.00 hrs/week
KL
Kjristine Lund Director 2.00 hrs/week
LL
Leslie Lassiter Director 2.00 hrs/week
LN
Lindsey Nova Director 2.00 hrs/week
ME
Marisa Eismann MD Vice Chair 2.00 hrs/week
MD
Mark D Peacock Director 2.00 hrs/week
MJ
Mark Jung Director 2.00 hrs/week
MC
Mary C Patton Director 2.00 hrs/week
ML
Mary Louise Gorno Director 2.00 hrs/week
MC
Melanie Clarke Secretary 4.00 hrs/week
MH
Mieko Hatano Director 2.00 hrs/week
MM
Mitch Menchaca Director 2.00 hrs/week
PC
Pamela Carter Director 2.00 hrs/week
PA
Patricia A Richards Director 2.00 hrs/week
PH
Paul Higginbotham Director 2.00 hrs/week
PS
Pratichi Shah Director 2.00 hrs/week
RP
Rick Prins Director 2.00 hrs/week
RN
Robert Naparstek Director 2.00 hrs/week
RW
Robert W McDonald Director 2.00 hrs/week
RJ
Russel Jones Director 2.00 hrs/week
SH
Sharon Hatchett Director 2.00 hrs/week
SW
Sheila Williams Director 2.00 hrs/week
TS
Trine Sorensen Director 2.00 hrs/week
WG
William Gettys Director 2.00 hrs/week

Information compiled from IRS Form 990 and organizational materials.

Executive Compensation

Top compensated officers & key employees from IRS Form 990

Total Reported (2023)

$2.2M

Highest Paid

$476K

Simon Woods

Compensated Officers

10

Name Title Base Other Total Hrs/Wk
Simon Woods President/CEO $419,211 $57,280 $476,491 37.5
Heather Noonan VP Advocacy $234,624 $48,412 $283,036 37.5
Marlah Bonner VP Of Development $210,313 $28,607 $238,920 37.5
Karen Yair VP Knowledge Learning $164,238 $51,723 $215,961 37.5
Rachel Rossos Gallant Vice PRES. Marketing $150,274 $57,765 $208,039 37.5
Caen Thomason-Redus VP Inclusion & Learning $162,012 $43,262 $205,274 37.5
Andrew Clark VP. Finance & ADM. $158,850 $16,691 $175,541 37.5
Audrey Elliott-Risbud Senior Director DEV. $114,600 $41,488 $156,088 37.5
Robert Sandla Editor In Chief Symphony $123,335 $27,527 $150,862 37.5
Elizabeth Arnett VP Knowledge Learning $117,735 — $117,735 37.5

Source: IRS Form 990 filings. Compensation includes base and other reported compensation.

COVID-19 PPP Loans

Paycheck Protection Program (2020-2021)

Fully Forgiven

Total Approved

$864K

Total Forgiven

$872K

101% forgiven

Jobs Retained

60

Loan Details 2 loans

$432,219
Forgiven
Forgiven: $437,043 100%
Approved May 1, 2020
Lender JPMorgan Chase Bank, National Association
Jobs Reported 29
Forgiven On Jun 16, 2021
$432,217
Forgiven
Forgiven: $434,700 100%
Approved May 18, 2021
Lender JPMorgan Chase Bank, National Association
Jobs Reported 31
Forgiven On Dec 20, 2021

Source: Small Business Administration • Paycheck Protection Program (2020-2021)

Partners & Funders

Grant funding relationships from IRS Form 990 filings

$150K Grants Received
8 Organizations

Top Funders

8 total
GD
Gs Donor Advised Philanthropy Fund
$26K
SO
Sphinx Organization Inc.
$25K
TW
The Winston-Salem Foundation
$25K
TP
The Pittsburgh Foundation
$25K
AO
American Online Giving Foundation Inc.
$16K
TA
The Ayco Charitable Foundation
$15K
SB
Santa Barbara Foundation
$10K
FI
Fidelity Investments Charitable Gift Fund
$8K
Gs Donor Advised Philanthropy Fund Sphinx Organization Inc. The Winston-Salem Foundation The Pittsburgh Foundation American Online Giving Foundation Inc. The Ayco Charitable Foundation Santa Barbara Foundation Fidelity Investments Charitable Gift Fund
Gs Donor Advised Philanthropy Fund Sphinx Organization Inc. The Winston-Salem Foundation The Pittsburgh Foundation American Online Giving Foundation Inc. The Ayco Charitable Foundation Santa Barbara Foundation Fidelity Investments Charitable Gift Fund

Source: IRS Form 990 Schedule I filings. Amounts may span multiple tax years.

Lobbying Activity

Lobbying Disclosure Act registrations

Self-Lobbying
1 Registrations
1 Client
Yes Self-Lobbying

Clients 1 total

American Symphony Orchestra League - Dba League Of American Orchestras
1 filing
Self

Source: Senate Office of Public Records — Lobbying Disclosure Act

Contact

Get in touch with American Symphony Orchestra League

Phone

(212) 262-5161
Visit Website
520 8th Ave 2005 New York, NY 10018