Catskill Symphony Orchestra announces new Acting Executive Director Cassandra Miller

CSO also welcomes new board members and sets date for next Conversations with Beethoven virtual event

ONEONTA—The Catskill Symphony Orchestra announces that Cassandra Miller will serve as its new acting executive director. Miller has held leadership roles with nonprofit, arts, and community organizations in Oneonta and Baltimore/DC and began her position with the CSO this month.

“Cassandra’s enthusiasm, creativity, and strong track record of leadership—as well as her love of this community—convinced our board that she was the right person to step into the role of acting executive director,” CSO Board Chair Kellie Bean said. “We have several new faces within the organization, including Music Director Maciej Żółtowski, whose debut was to be the CSO’s Cabaret Concert in March 2020. Over the winter, the CSO also welcomed new board members Laura Tansey Wetzel and Ian Kenyon, both of Cooperstown. We have a lot of fresh energy in the CSO, of which we are excited for Cassandra to take the helm.” 

In the absence of live performances due to COVID-19 this past year, the CSO has continued to be active by presenting virtual programming, including a series of “Conversations with Beethoven” led by Żółtowski. The third virtual event in the series, “Beethoven Conspiracy: The Illuminati” is at 7 p.m. Saturday, March 27, via YouTube, followed by a live post-event discussion. Below are more event details. Miller will work with Żółtowski and the Board to offer additional upcoming programming, including a fourth “Conversations with Beethoven” event and a “Meet the Players” video series with CSO musicians. More information will be announced soon. 

“The CSO provides an important resource for our community by bringing classical music and world-class performers to our region and I’m honored to be working alongside the Board of Trustees and incredible musicians, including the impressive Maestro Żółtowski, to continue the tradition of excellence,” Miller said. “The rich arts community here is part of what makes our region so special, and I’m thrilled to be back in Oneonta contributing to this place I love.”

Miller held leadership roles in Baltimore/DC with Baltimore Center Stage (the state theater of Maryland), The Washington Post, and Visit Baltimore; and local roles with organizations including the Iroquois Indian Museum and SUNY Oneonta. Since moving back to Oneonta in 2019, she has served on local boards, including the Foothills Performing Arts and Civic Center and the Friends of the Oneonta Theatre and as co-chair of CANO’s City of the Hills Festival. From 2008 to 2012, she was an editor of The Daily Star, where she founded the arts and entertainment publication, The Scene. She has performed locally with Orpheus Theatre and Catskill Community Players. A graduate of Unatego High School, Miller has a B.S. in Journalism and minor in Art History from Boston University and is currently an M.B.A./M.S. in Communications Management candidate at Syracuse University. 

Miller replaces former Executive Director Thomas Wolf, who served the CSO for two years, transitioning from his position in February to pursue other opportunities. Miller’s full biographical sketch is below, as is more information about the CSO and the March 27 “Conversations with Beethoven” virtual event.