Gary A. Padmore Appointed Director of Education & Community Engagement at New York Philharmonic

The New York Philharmonic has named Gary A. Padmore Director of Education and Community Engagement, The Sue B. Mercy Chair, beginning in July 2018. He has served as the director of Education & Community at Orchestra of St. Luke's since 2015. Mr. Padmore will oversee the Philharmonic's flagship education programs, including the famed, long-running Young People's Concerts; help expand the Orchestra's community partnerships; and develop relationships with youth training programs to help promote diversity and inclusion in the future ranks of professional musicians.

"The New York Philharmonic is committed to being an outward-facing, integral member of our community, and with Gary Padmore as Director of Education and Community Engagement, our External Affairs team is complete and robust," said President and CEO Deborah Borda. "We are now ideally positioned to collaborate with our neighbors - the city's public schools and leading cultural institutions - to achieve even greater impact in our city and in our time."

"Gary Padmore's extensive experience and proven track record in New York City music education perfectly suit the newly created position of Director of Education and Community Engagement," said Vice President, External Affairs, Adam Crane. "He will be an invaluable member of the Philharmonic's External Affairs team - which is now poised to deepen the Orchestra's education initiatives and community partnerships."

Gary A. Padmore joins the New York Philharmonic with more than 15 years of experience that has led him to schools and community organizations throughout New York State. Most recently, he was the director of Education & Community at Orchestra of St. Luke's (OSL), where he created a free concert series that celebrates works by composers of color, doubled enrollment in the youth orchestra program, and increased school and community partnerships throughout the five boroughs. Before OSL, he served as associate director of programs at Midori & Friends, which provides skill-based music instruction and enrichment programs in public schools throughout New York City. Mr. Padmore previously held the position of education director for the Brooklyn Philharmonic, was a teaching artist at American Composers Orchestra and Police Athletic League, and served as an adjunct lecturer at Queens College. A trumpet player and native New Yorker, he has a bachelor's degree in music from Queens College, a master's degree from Mannes School of Music, and an advanced certificate in music education from Queens College. As a steward of classical music and arts education, Gary Padmore sits on the boards of the NYC Arts in Education Roundtable and The Dream Unfinished: An Activist Orchestra. This year, he is completing the League of American Orchestras' Emerging Leaders Program.