Honens Names John Kieser As President & CEO

Honens has named Canadian-born arts administrator, John Kieser, as its new President & CEO beginning on July 1, 2023. Mr. Kieser comes to Honens with a substantial background in artistic leadership positions and is uniquely positioned to lead Honens as the acclaimed organization continues to gather international recognition and visibility.

Mr. Kieser joins Honens as the 2022 Honens International Piano Competition Prize Laureate, 21-year-old Ukrainian pianist Illia Ovcharenko, takes the piano world by storm with an international tour on the horizon. Additionally, Honens looks forward to a myriad of events this summer culminating in the 2023 Honens Festival in Calgary from September 7 to 10.

Honens Board Chair Siân Matthews says, "John Kieser brings to the table extensive experience in working with young artists and a proven track record of supporting diversity in the arts through his work at the New World Symphony. We are delighted to have him join the Honens team."

Mr. Kieser is currently the Director of Partnerships for IDAGIO GmbH and Media Consultant for the New World Symphony. Previously he served as Executive Vice President and Provost for New World Symphony overseeing Musician Advancement, Audience Experience, Research and Design, Community and Audience Engagement, and Digital Media. Prior to this, Kieser was General Manager of the San Francisco Symphony where his responsibilities included strategic planning and management of presentations, operations, touring, retail, and union negotiations. While at the San Francisco Symphony he created SFS Media which produced the multi-media project Keeping Score and many GRAMMY© Award winning recordings. SFS Media has also won Emmy Awards for the San Francisco Symphony at 100 and Sweeney Todd. In 2014, he led the team that developed SoundBox, an experimental venue created to test concert formats, audience experience, and to develop skills of San Francisco Symphony orchestra members.

"I am honoured to be joining the Honens family," says John Kieser. "Together we will advance the mission, vision, and values of this prestigious organization while serving communities in Calgary, nationally, and internationally on a journey to the next level."

John Kieser will be moving from Germany to Calgary with his spouse to join the Honens team on July 1, 2023. For all up-to-date information, please visit the Honens website.

ABOUT HONENS

The Honens International Piano Competition takes place every three years and is considered one of the world's most prestigious events of its kind. Honens prepares its Laureates for the rigours and realities of professional careers in music and creates opportunities for growth and exposure. The annual Honens Festival is one of Canada's premier classical music events, intended to share Mrs. Honens' love of world-renowned music with Albertans every year.

Esther Honens created a legacy of musical excellence to be enjoyed for generations. In 1991, knowing she was near the end of her life, Mrs. Honens gave $5 million to endow an international piano competition in her hometown of Calgary, Canada. Her generosity, vision, and love of music continue to touch the lives of Calgarians, Canadians, musicians, and music-lovers around the world.

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