“We are delighted that Dorothy is our new Executive Director. She is a longtime supporter of our Symphony and is very passionate about our mission. She brings excellent administrative skills from her successful high tech career, along with a deep knowledge and love of music. For the past three months she has served as Interim Executive Director and has done an outstanding job. She is a pleasure to work with, is thorough and efficient, and gets things done. With Dorothy at the helm, along with Daniel Stewart as Music Director and our excellent Board of Directors and staff, our Symphony is headed toward a spectacular future,” states Acting Board President, Owen Brown.
Raised in a musical family, Wise grew up supporting her father’s stewardship as conductor for different youth orchestras in the Los Angeles area. From setup, cleanup and transporting instruments, to fingering parts and fundraising, a comprehensive training in orchestral music began at an early age. A musician herself, Wise has performed in recitals and orchestras on violin, viola and piano, as well as winning a concerto competition where she performed the Mozart Piano Concerto No. 21 with orchestra. After graduating from Princeton with a degree in Computer Science, Wise auditioned for and was accepted by the Boulder Philharmonic as a violist.
During her technology career working at NBI, Borland, Novell and Agile Software, Wise became active in the Santa Cruz Symphony, joining the Board of Directors in 1991, later serving as President of the Board from 1995–1996 and 2014–2015. Her business acumen brought financial and leadership strengths to her Symphony roles. Wise’s career in high tech culminated in her role as Executive VP of Development running a multi-million dollar organization. In 2000 she retired from the tech industry and purchased Glenwood Equestrian Center in Scotts Valley, becoming a Season Sponsor of the Symphony, as well as a member of the Music Director Search Committee that hired Maestro Daniel Stewart in 2013.
“My dad was a conductor, my mom a violinist. Growing up, my dad’s youth orchestra was the family business. We all played in the orchestra, and did whatever was needed to help out with administrative tasks and fundraising. Because of my childhood training, when I moved to Santa Cruz in 1991, I joined the Symphony Board, and have been involved as a donor, patron and board member ever since. Now, as the Executive Director, I have a chance to connect the dots of my experience, skills and knowledge. I am thrilled to be a part of this organization and look forward to working with Maestro Daniel Stewart and our Board, as we forge a new path for the Santa Cruz Symphony,” states Executive Director, Dorothy Wise.
Founded in 1958 and with Maestro Daniel Stewart as Music Director since 2013, the Symphony partners regularly with regional and international guest artists in both traditional and modern concerts.
Visit santacruzsymphony.org for more information.