Pacific Symphony

Irvine, CA · Founded 1980

Professional symphony orchestra serving Orange County through classical music performances and education programs

Primary audience
General Public
Work area
Arts Performance
Topic
Classical Music
Contact
Mr Carl St Clair
Website Contact

About Organization

Pacific Symphony is the largest orchestra formed in the United States in the past 50 years, performing classical music and providing education programs throughout Orange County and beyond. Based in Irvine, CA, the organization was founded in 1980 and operates with 356 employees and 1,000 volunteers. In its 2021 fiscal year, the Symphony generated $30.9 million in revenue.

What They Focus On

Orchestral Performance

Delivering exceptional classical and contemporary music performances through professional symphony concerts for regional and national audiences

Music Education

Providing educational programs and learning opportunities that introduce students and community members to orchestral music and performance

Cultural Access

Expanding community access to professional orchestral music through outreach initiatives and engagement programs across Orange County

Financial Information

Form 990 data showing organizational financial health and growth.

Revenue (2021)

$30.9M

+75.4% vs 2020

Expenses (2021)

$21.7M

+97.2% vs 2020

Assets (2021)

$53.8M

+3.1% vs 2020

Employees (2021)

356

+6.9% vs 2020

Year Revenue Expenses Assets Employees
2021 $30,870,436 $21,747,948 $53,774,912 356
2020 $17,603,170 $11,028,000 $52,133,763 333
2019 $17,646,778 $19,016,850 $34,377,933 413
2018 $17,189,881 $21,020,831 $35,162,427 409
2017 $24,318,198 $23,207,256 $38,755,417 464

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

How They Work

Learn more
  • 01

    Artistic Programming

    Music Director curates diverse repertoire of classical and contemporary works for seasonal concert series

  • 02

    Performance Excellence

    Professional musicians rehearse and perform orchestral concerts for audiences throughout Orange County and beyond

  • 03

    Education Delivery

    Education staff develop and implement music programs reaching students and community members across the region

  • 04

    Community Partnerships

    Organization collaborates with cultural institutions and community partners to expand access to orchestral music

Programs and Initiatives

Services and programs offered by Pacific Symphony

Symphony Performances

Professional orchestral concerts featuring classical and contemporary works performed throughout the season for diverse audiences

Education Programming

Music education initiatives reaching students and community members through concerts, workshops, and learning opportunities

Community Engagement

Outreach programs connecting orchestral music with Orange County communities through accessible performances and cultural initiatives

National Tours

Performance tours including Carnegie Hall debut and international appearances showcasing the orchestra's artistic excellence

Team & Leadership

Meet the people behind Pacific Symphony.

MC

Mr Carl St Clair

Music Director
Full-time
Compensation: $375,978
MJ

Mr JOHN E FORSYTE

President & CEO Sean Sutton Executive Vice President & COO Eileen Jeanette Senior Vice President of Artistic Planning and Production
Full-time
Compensation: $322,349
MS

Mr Sean Sutton

EVP & COO
Full-time
Compensation: $167,742
JH

Jesse Hiser

Associate Vice President of Finance
Full-time
Compensation: $123,102
CH

Craig Hahn

Director Of Orchestra Personne
Full-time
Compensation: $104,155
MR

Mr Robert Corbin

Director - Past
1 hrs/week
MW

Mr William F Podlich

Director - Past
1 hrs/week
MC

Mrs Catherine Emmi

Director - Past
1 hrs/week
MG

Mr GREGORY COX

VP of DEV.& EXT. relations
Full-time
Compensation: $238,370
MD

Mr Dennis Kim

Concert Master
10 hrs/week
Compensation: $224,629
NC

Nikki Crabtree-Palley

Sr. Dir. Of Individual Giving
Full-time
Compensation: $148,099
EJ

Eileen Jeanette

VP Of Artistic & Orch.
Full-time
Compensation: $131,975
GG

Gary Good

Sr. Exec. Special Campaign
Full-time
Compensation: $130,415
SL

Sharon Lee

Executive Assistant
WP

William Pruett

Will Hunter Senior Director of Production
ER

Emily Rankin

Vice President of Development
AM

Ameena Maria Khawaja

Vice President of Education & Community Engagement
DL

Dana Long

Vice President of Marketing & Communications
AJ

Amber Jackson

Director of Ticketing & Customer Service

Milestones

1978

Symphony Founded

1978

Pacific Symphony established, becoming one of the largest orchestras formed in recent U.S. history

1989

Carl St.Clair Appointed

1989

Carl St.Clair begins 35-year tenure as Music Director, shaping the orchestra's artistic development

2018

Carnegie Hall Debut

2018

Orchestra performs at Carnegie Hall during Philip Glass 80th birthday celebration and tours China

2021

Record Revenue Growth

2021

Symphony achieves $30.9 million in revenue, reflecting significant growth and community support

Associated People

Board members, advisors, and key contributors

Board of Directors

DA
Dr Al Ferrari Director 0.5 hrs/week
DD
Dr Donald Hecht Director 0.5 hrs/week
DE
Dr Evan B Siegel Director 0.5 hrs/week
DJ
Dr Jo Ellen Allen-Chatham Director 0.5 hrs/week
MA
Mr Abbas Mohaddes Director 0.5 hrs/week
MA
Mr Andy Thorburn Director 0.5 hrs/week
Mr Arthur Ong
Mr Arthur Ong Secretary 5.0 hrs/week
MB
Mr Bart Van Aardenne Director 0.5 hrs/week
MB
Mr Bob Davey Director 0.5 hrs/week
MB
Mr Brian Maryott Director 0.5 hrs/week
MB
Mr Brian Schoenle Director 0.5 hrs/week
MC
Mr Carlos Mollura Director 0.5 hrs/week
MC
Mr Charles Zhang Director 0.5 hrs/week
MC
Mr Christopher Tower Director 0.5 hrs/week
MD
Mr David Ontko Director 0.5 hrs/week
MD
Mr David Troob Director 0.5 hrs/week
MD
Mr David V Melilli Director 0.5 hrs/week
MD
Mr Donald Hu Director 0.5 hrs/week
ME
Mr Ed Sachs Director 0.5 hrs/week
ME
Mr Eric Chamberlain Director 0.5 hrs/week
MF
Mr Framroze Virjee Director 0.5 hrs/week
MH
Mr Henry Walker Director 0.5 hrs/week
MH
Mr Hon H Warren Siegel Director 0.5 hrs/week
MJ
Mr James Newton Howard Director 0.5 hrs/week
MJ
Mr John Mark Jennings Director 0.5 hrs/week
MJ
Mr John Peller Director 0.5 hrs/week
MJ
Mr John R Evans Board Chair 5.0 hrs/week
MM
Mr Mark Nielsen VICE chair finance & tres. 5.0 hrs/week
MM
Mr Maurice Murray Director 0.5 hrs/week
MM
Mr Michael S Gordon Director 0.5 hrs/week
MN
Mr Nicholas Greenko Director 0.5 hrs/week
MP
Mr Patrick Cheng Director 0.5 hrs/week
MP
Mr Phillip N Lyons Director 0.5 hrs/week
MR
Mr Reza Jahangiri Director 0.5 hrs/week
MR
Mr Ronald M Simon Director 0.5 hrs/week
MR
Mr Rondell B Hanson Director 0.5 hrs/week
MS
Mr Scott Siegel Director 0.5 hrs/week
MS
Mr Seth Johnson Director 0.5 hrs/week
MS
Mr Sheng Jiang Director 0.5 hrs/week
MT
Mr Timothy J Molnar Director 0.5 hrs/week
MW
Mr William Dolan Director 0.5 hrs/week
MC
Mrs Carol Choi Director 0.5 hrs/week
MC
Mrs Chiyo Rowe Director 0.5 hrs/week
ME
Mrs Elizabeth Stahr Director 0.5 hrs/week
MG
Mrs Ginny Davies Director 0.5 hrs/week
MJ
Mrs Jane Fujishige Yada Director 0.5 hrs/week
ML
Mrs Leona Aronoff-Sadacca Director 0.5 hrs/week
MM
Mrs Michelle Horowitz Director 0.5 hrs/week
MM
Mrs Michelle Rohe Director 0.5 hrs/week
MA
Ms Agnes Lew Director 0.5 hrs/week
MA
Ms Anoosheh Oskouian Director 0.5 hrs/week
MB
Ms Barbara Foster Director 0.5 hrs/week
MC
Ms Carolann Tassios Director 0.5 hrs/week
MD
Ms Diana Martin Director 0.5 hrs/week
MJ
Ms Jennifer Wilson Director 0.5 hrs/week
MJ
Ms Joann Leatherby Imm. Past Chair/Board Affairs 5.0 hrs/week
MJ
Ms Judith Posnikoff Director 0.5 hrs/week
MJ
Ms Judy Whitmore Director 0.5 hrs/week
MK
Ms Karin L Pearson Director 0.5 hrs/week
ML
Ms Lindsay Ayers Director 0.5 hrs/week
ML
Ms Louise Merage Director 0.5 hrs/week
ML
Ms Lucy Dunn Director 0.5 hrs/week
MP
Ms Patricia McAuley Director 0.5 hrs/week
MS
Ms Scharrell Jackson Director 0.5 hrs/week
MS
Ms Stacey Nicholas Director 0.5 hrs/week
MS
Ms Susan Anderson Vice Chair, Development 5.0 hrs/week
MS
mc sungila directoR 0.5 hrs/week
Michael Adams
Michael Adams Board Member
CE
Cynthia Ellis Elliott Moreau Robert Schumitzky
SA
Sally Anderson Board Member

Information compiled from IRS Form 990 and organizational materials.

Executive Compensation

Top compensated officers & key employees from IRS Form 990

Total Reported (2021)

$2.1M

Highest Paid

$388K

MR Carl St Clair

Compensated Officers

10

Name Title Base Other Total Hrs/Wk
MR Carl St Clair Music Director $375,978 $12,516 $388,494 40
MR John E Forsyte President $322,349 $30,219 $352,568 40
MR Gregory Cox VP Of DEV.& Ext. Relations $238,370 $15,076 $253,446 40
MR Dennis Kim Concert Master $224,629 $10,885 $235,514 10
MR Sean Sutton EVP & COO $167,742 $18,044 $185,786 40
Nikki Crabtree-Palley SR. DIR. Of Individual Giving $148,099 $5,416 $153,515 40
Eileen Jeanette VP Of Artistic & Orch. $131,975 $14,126 $146,101 40
Gary Good SR. EXEC. Special Campaign $130,415 $5,099 $135,514 40
Jesse Hiser Director Of Finance $123,102 $10,442 $133,544 40
Craig Hahn Director Of Orchestra Personne $104,155 $10,091 $114,246 40

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

Partners & Funders

Grant funding relationships from IRS Form 990 filings

$523K Grants Received
7 Organizations

Top Funders

7 total
FI
Fidelity Investments Charitable Gift Fund
$266K
JC
Jewish Community Foundation
$145K
NC
Natl Christian Charitable Fdn Inc.
$55K
CF
California Foundation For Stronger
$20K
FF
Farhang Foundation
$15K
O
Oneoc
$14K
MS
Morgan Stanley Global Impact Funding Trust Inc.
$8K
Fidelity Investments Charitable Gift Fund Jewish Community Foundation Natl Christian Charitable Fdn Inc. California Foundation For Stronger Farhang Foundation Oneoc Morgan Stanley Global Impact Funding Trust Inc.
Fidelity Investments Charitable Gift Fund Jewish Community Foundation Natl Christian Charitable Fdn Inc. California Foundation For Stronger Farhang Foundation Oneoc Morgan Stanley Global Impact Funding Trust Inc.

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

Contact

Get in touch with Pacific Symphony

Email

[email protected]

Phone

(714) 755-5788 (714) 876-2396

Social

Visit Website
17620 Fitch 100 Irvine, CA 92614