Ayden Adler, Ph.D., dean of the New World Symphony, America’s Orchestral Academy, will speak at Stetson University’s School of Music on Thursday, Nov. 12, from 9-9:50 a.m. Sponsored by the School of Music, Adler’s appearance will take place in 202c Presser Hall, 419 N. Woodland Blvd., and is scheduled as part of the curriculum for “Career Skills for the Entrepreneurial Musician.” Her topic for discussion, “Taking Control of your Future: A New Paradigm of Empowerment for 21st Century Musicians,” will be followed by a question/answer session, 10-11 a.m. Both sessions are free and open to the public.

Adler was appointed dean of the New World Symphony, America’s Orchestral Academy, in 2012. With degrees from Princeton University (A.B.), the Juilliard School (M.M.), and the Eastman School of Music (M.A., D.M.A., Ph.D.), her professional background and experience encompasses music performance, scholarship, teaching, and administrative positions at some of the nation’s most esteemed music institutions. Her students teach at top universities and perform in major ensembles. At New World, Adler redesigned the academic program to address the 21st-century needs of music students by providing high-level training in audience engagement (in the hall, in the community, in the digital space and with patrons), musician health and wellness, entrepreneurship and leadership development. She also oversaw the creation of NWS’s multi-million dollar digital arm, MUSAIC (www.musaic.nws.edu). This 24/7 online resource shares the insight, artistry, and instruction of leading classical musicians with a global community of musicians and classical music aficionados. Launched in the fall of 2014, MUSAIC has been viewed by over 200,000 music students of all ages and their teachers worldwide.

Previously, Adler served as executive director of the Orpheus Chamber Orchestra in New York City. As the public face of this fiercely democratic organization where musicians work collaboratively to make artistic decisions, she provided direction and leadership towards the achievement of Orpheus’ artistic and administrative goals. During her tenure, she raised over $9M through individual, corporate, foundation, and government gifts and grants.

As an orchestral musician, Adler performed in many countries under esteemed conductors, including Loren Maazel, Mstislav Rostropovich, and Alan Gilbert. She has recorded for the Harmonia Mundi label and is a voting member of the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences (Grammy Awards).

While in Rochester, Adler taught horn, natural horn, music history, and arts leadership at the Eastman School of Music. Her academic research focuses on the history of orchestral institutions the role of classical music in society. As a thought-leader in the field, she regularly gives presentations at national and international conferences that address issues of civic and economic relevance, diversity, and cultural values in the context of historic and current business practices at arts institutions. She is currently on sabbatical writing a book entitled, “Classical Music for People Who Hate Classical Music”: Serge Koussevitzky, Arthur Fielder, and the Boston Symphony Orchestra.

For more information on Adler’s Nov. 12 presentation, contact Patrece Robinson, adjunct professor of Music, at (386) 956-2261 or [email protected].