Staff
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
George Hanson
ghanson@alexsym.org
During his 7-year tenure as ASO Executive Director, George Hanson guided the orchestra through a series of transformational changes, including ASO’s first major Campaign (successfully raising $1.8 million) and creating a new structure for ASO’s relationship with its musicians. He brought a history of fundraising success and creative musical achievements to his position.
Prior to attending business school and taking on the role of administrator, George spent several decades conducting orchestras around the world. First Prize wins at the Budapest and Stokowski conducting competitions garnered the attention of major international orchestras. His career has taken him to more than 20 countries, conducting more than 120 orchestras and operas on five continents.
Conducting engagements include the New York Philharmonic, Chicago Symphony, Atlanta Symphony, Indianapolis Symphony, St. Paul Chamber Orchestra, Charlotte Symphony, the Radio orchestras of Hamburg and Berlin, Warsaw Philharmonic, Zürich’s Tonhalle orchestra, the orchestras of Osaka and Seoul, and the national orchestras of Colombia, Bulgaria and South Africa.
George served as Music Director of the Tucson Symphony, where he often performed and conducted concerti from the piano keyboard, and General Music Director of the Wuppertal Opera in Germany, a major house presenting more than 100 opera performances each year.
Hanson has collaborated onstage with Joshua Bell, Itzhak Perlman, Yo-Yo Ma, Lang Lang, Emanuel Ax, and Peter Serkin. A versatile musician, George has performed with Tony Bennett and Dizzy Gillespie; his work in the recording studio with the rock group R.E.M. brought triple platinum recognition.
Beginning this season, along with his administrative and fundraising duties, George will serve as ASO’s Artistic Advisor as the organization transitions to new artistic leadership.
DIRECTOR OF OPERATIONS
Ryan Jordan
jordan@alexsym.org
Ryan began his career with the ASO in July 2011 when he was hired as box office and patron services manager and is currently serving in a variety of new roles in production and sales as Director of Operations. A trained musician, Ryan completed his M.M. in music composition from Bowling Green State University in 2008 and has worked as an arranger, transcriber, and copyist for a variety of musical acts encompassing both classical music and jazz. He currently performs as a freelance musician on trumpet around the Washington D.C. region.
DIRECTOR OF DEVELOPMENT & COMMUNITY PARTNERSHIPS
Sydney Watson
swatson@alexsym.org
Sydney joins ASO as the Director of Development after working at the Grand Rapids Symphony in Grand Rapids, Michigan. A fundraising professional, Sydney completed her degree in Nonprofit Administration from Grand Valley State University in 2018 and has worked in numerous nonprofit settings. Sydney loves the outdoors and is enjoying getting to know the DMV!
CHIEF OF STAFF
Emily Sutton
esutton@alexsym.org
Emily Sutton was born and raised in Manhattan and holds a degree in oboe performance from Oberlin College. She later relocated to Washington State to earn her certification in band instrument repair. Alongside her classical music background, Emily has extensive office support experience, having worked primarily as an executive legal assistant and as an office manager for a startup in Southern California. Emily is married to a retired Marine and has two young children.
PERSONNEL MANAGER
Ms. Kelly, who also plays cello with the ASO, is in charge of hiring the musicians for the ASO concerts. She works closely with Music Director James Ross and the Musicians’ Union to find the best musicians in the area for the ASO concerts. She received her musical training at the University of California at Santa Barbara, and Fontainebleau, France, encouraged by her musician/conductor father, James Swift. She has been part of the Washington, D.C. area musical scene since 1975 as a player, contractor, librarian, and teacher. Current responsibilities involving the first three roles find her working at Wolf Trap, Kennedy Center Opera House, Concert Artists of Baltimore, Post-Classical Ensemble, and Opera Camerata in addition to the ASO. She teaches cello at the Levine School of Music, Episcopal High School, and at her McLean home.
STAGE MANAGER
Craig has served and played with the Alexandria Symphony Orchestra since the fall of 1996. He considers himself a retired music educator having taught Kindergarten through college. For over three decades he has served as a stage manager for choruses and orchestras including such ensembles as Eclipse Chamber Orchestra (NSO musicians) and Baltimore Chamber Orchestra (Baltimore Symphony Orchestra musicians). In addition to occasional freelance percussion playing, he owns a chorus and orchestra equipment company, and he also serves as the Music Director for Kensington Baptist Church. Craig is a beekeeper and can often be found with a camera in hand.
