Dallas Symphony CEO Kim Noltemy is leaving for the Los Angeles Philharmonic

Original source (on modern site) | Article images: [1]

Kim Noltemy, president and CEO of the Dallas Symphony Association since January 2018, will leave in June to head the Los Angeles Philharmonic.

It's a prestigious appointment at one of the top American orchestras, and one particularly known for innovation. But it's a major blow to Dallas, where Noltemy has been widely considered one of the most effective arts administrators within memory.

"Of all the people we interviewed, she was the most prepared," the Philharmonic's board chair Thomas Beckmen told The New York Times. "Sometimes I thought she knew more about us that I knew about us."

The announcement comes during one of the Dallas Symphony's most ambitious undertakings, semi-staged performances of the first two operas of Richard Wagner's Ring of the Nibelung. The whole four-opera cycle will be presented in October. And in June the orchestra goes on its first European tour since 2013 to cities in Spain, Germany, Austria and Belgium.

"It is hard to leave Dallas," Noltemy said, "because it's such a great, supportive board and community. Throughout my tenure I've felt I've had everyone rooting on my side, which is so huge."

The Los Angeles Philharmonic, she added, is "one of the greatest orchestras in the world in size and scope. It's unparalleled, the things that have been done in terms of innovation and creating artistic programming. For decades it's been so fascinating and inspiring.

"I just felt, how can I pass up this opportunity? It's a chance to do great things and build on this great reputation that has been developing for so long."

Noltemy presided over the appointment of Fabio Luisi as the orchestra's music director — tenure that began in 2020 when the COVID-19 pandemic shut down public performances worldwide. Under her leadership, the DSO adapted to pandemic challenges to become one of the first major American orchestras performing — in reduced numbers, for gradually increased audiences — in its own concert hall. To expand the orchestra's reach beyond the Meyerson Symphony Center, she also led the orchestra's adoption of increasingly sophisticated video livestreams of performances.

After years of deferred maintenance of the Meyerson by the city of Dallas, which owns the building, Noltemy in 2019 negotiated an agreement for the Dallas Symphony Association to take over its management. All too visibly damaged lobby ceilings in the landmark I.M. Pei building were repaired, along with roof replacement. More recently, a new permanent stage extension was installed to alleviate longstanding issues with crowding, and new orchestra risers were added.

In her second year at the orchestra, Noltemy launched the annual Women in Classical Music symposium, to address career challenges and opportunities. And she committed the DSO to tapping women composers for 50% of new music commissions.

Noltemy expanded the DSO's education and youth programs, including an elementary- and middle-school young musicians program, renamed in her honor in 2021. A new Southern Dallas residency makes free musical instruments and lessons available to more than 500 students.

"Kim is simply the best administrator I have ever worked for, bar none," said DSO concertmaster Alexander Kerr. "I have never seen an orchestra and board rally behind a CEO like I witnessed with our organization during the pandemic.

"She has led with the utmost competence, grace, decency and caring. To share she will be missed would be the grossest of understatements."

In L.A., Noltemy will lead the search for the orchestra's next music director. Gustavo Dudamel is leaving in 2026 to head the New York Philharmonic (where he will succeed former DSO music director Jaap van Zweden).

"It's a wonderful position for a conductor to really make their mark in the United States, and I look forward to being part of that process," Noltemy said.

Noltemy came to the DSO with wide experience at the Boston Symphony Orchestra. Starting in 1996 in sales and marketing, she ultimately became chief operating and communications officer. She was the strategist behind the BSO's new media initiatives, including a digital download service, internet TV, podcasts and the orchestra's website.

Scott Cantrell, Special Contributor. Former staff classical music critic Scott Cantrell continues contributing as a freelance writer on classical music and art. His classical music reporting is supported by the Rubin Institute for Music Criticism, the San Francisco Conservatory of Music, and the Ann and Gordon Getty Foundation. The News makes all editorial decisions.

artslife@dallasnews.com