Staff
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
George Hanson
ghanson@alexsym.org
Executive Director George Hanson brings many years of experience in the symphonic world to his position with ASO. After several decades of an active conducting career in the U.S. and Europe, George turned his attention to management and administration, completed graduate coursework at the University of Arizona Eller School of Management, and took the administrative helm as Director of the Tucson Desert Song Festival. George grew the festival’s financial support and expanded the collaborative organization’s list of partners, while raising its national profile through the engagement of major artists and composers. His focus at ASO is to create a solid financial and organizational foundation to support the community mission of the orchestra and Maestro Jim Ross’ artistic vision.
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
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!
DEVELOPMENT AND CAMPAIGN ASSOCIATE
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.
