After a nine-month-long search, the Chicago Jazz Philharmonic (CJP) Executive Director Search Committee is excited to announce Rhapsody Snyder as its next Executive Director. Snyder will succeed Lauren Deutsch, who has been serving as interim Executive Director since June 2020.
Rhapsody joins CJP with more than 12 years of experience in the performing arts and music education field. Previously, she served as the Chicago Institutional Sales Manager for the global corporation Steinway & Sons, after which she served as the Music Department Director at the School of Performing Arts in Naperville, IL, and the Director of Operations & Student Affairs at the New Music School. Rhapsody was most recently the Community Engagement and Executive Support Manager at The Chicago Philharmonic Society.
“Last spring, amid the effects of the pandemic, we opted to undergo a period of interim leadership in order to provide ample time to assess our organization’s current position and envision its future needs,” said CJP Producing Director and Co-Founder, Mark Ingram. “We had a number of excellent candidates, but Rhapsody Snyder stood out.”
"On behalf of the Chicago Jazz Philharmonic Orchestra Board, I am thrilled to welcome Rhapsody Synder as our new Executive Director," added CJP Board Chair, Mike Allaway. "After an exhaustive search, we're confident we have found the right person to help us soar. We are excited for the future of CJP under Rhapsody's dynamic leadership--watch what happens next!"
Rhapsody spent the early years of her career as Program Coordinator for Chicago’s PianoForte Foundation, organizing educational programs, concerts, music festivals and spearheading its 2010 and 2012 International Chicago Amateur Piano Competitions. She also served as the Program Director for Foundations of Music where she managed music education programs for Chicago Public Schools.
“I appreciate the board’s confidence in me, and I’m delighted to have the opportunity to lead such an inspirational organization. I am struck by the sincerity of CJP’s mission, the musical integrity of its musicians, and its devotion to Chicago's young people through education,” Snyder said. “I’m especially grateful to Lauren for her guidance and tireless work through this transition period. CJP is here today because of her invitation to Orbert Davis, while serving as the Executive Director of Jazz Institute of Chicago, to ‘Think Big’ when planning his appearance at the 2004 Jazz Festival.”
“We are so looking forward to beginning the next chapter of CJP with Rhapsody,” said CJP Artistic Director and Co-Founder, Orbert Davis. “She brings a unique wealth of knowledge, experience and passion. Under her leadership, we are eager to take CJP to new heights.”
As executive director, Snyder will work closely with CJP staff and board of directors as the organization continues to impact Chicago and the world through its education programs and performances. One of her first acts as executive director will be to oversee the organization’s upcoming 6th Annual Gala on June 24th.
Rhapsody holds a Bachelor of Arts in Music from DePaul University and a Masters in Performing Arts Administration from the Chicago College of Performing Arts at Roosevelt University. She lives on Chicago’s west side with her husband and two young sons. |
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