Pacific Symphony announces the promotions of two well-respected leaders in the organization to vice president positions: Susan Miller Kotses as vice president of education and community engagement, and Frank Terraglio as vice president of marketing and public relations.
After extensive national searches, the Symphony found that the most qualified candidates were internal directors with many years of experience and is proud to appoint them to senior executive level positions.
Vice President of Education and Community Engagement Kotses has worked for the Symphony since 2007, serving as the director of Class Act, director of education and community engagement and most recently as senior director of education.
During her time with the Symphony, Kotses has successfully managed the demands of the Symphony’s largest education initiative, The Frieda Belinfante Class Act program, which is currently in its 20th season.
Kotses has also expanded school-musician residencies at Sage Hill School and St. Margaret’s Episcopal School, re-energized the Family Musical Mornings series and added children’s opera, and been the liaison with host cities for free summer programming.
Before joining the Symphony team, Kotses served as interim artistic department manager for Pittsburgh Opera while working toward her Master of Arts Management from Carnegie Mellon University, which she earned in 2007.
Born in South Africa, but raised primarily in Irvine, Kotses also holds a Bachelor and Master of Music from Indiana University’s Jacobs School of Music, and worked for many years as a freelance singer and music educator based in Paris, performing regularly with the Théâtre des Champs-Elysées, the Opéra Comique and the Thêatre du Chatêlet, as well as venues including England’s Aldeburgh Festival, Greece’s The Hellenic Festival, The Grand Theatre of Shanghai and Amsterdam’s Concertgebouw.
In addition to her work for Pacific Symphony, Kotses currently serves as cantorial soloist at Temple Judea of Laguna Woods and has been featured in Long Beach Opera’s Ainadamar and Camelia la Tejana. She lives in Tustin, Calif. with her husband Nicholas.
Pacific Symphony President John Forsyte states, “Susan is a deeply passionate advocate for the role of Pacific Symphony in inspiring young people to appreciate symphonic music, take up an instrument or learn to sing. She is also a caring leader and has earned the trust and admiration of her colleagues on staff.”
Vice President of Marketing and Public Relations Terraglio has worked for Pacific Symphony for more than a decade, serving as director of marketing before being promoted to his current role, in which he is responsible for all audience development, patron relations and communications functions. In recent years, Terraglio has driven implementation of new pricing models, enhanced renewal rates and managed direct mail campaigns, while greatly improving return on investment.
Major milestones during his tenure include the orchestra’s gala silver-anniversary season and the opening of the Renée and Henry Segerstrom Concert Hall. Other responsibilities have included single-ticket and subscription campaigns, telemarketing, traditional and social media, and major expansions into new market segments.
Terraglio boasts more than 20 years of experience as a leader at major arts organizations in Southern California. Before joining the Symphony, he was director of marketing for the Philharmonic Society of Orange County, serving as the promotional voice for major touring orchestras in the region and launching the Society’s landmark Eclectic Orange programming. A native of Portland, Ore., he holds a bachelor’s degree from the University of Oregon. He lives in Newport Beach, Calif.
“Frank has proven skills as a marketing leader and the respect of his colleagues in the department and throughout the organization,” states Forsyte. “He has deep insights into the Orange County market, while possessing excellent knowledge of classical and pop music. His attention to detail and implementation is truly outstanding, and he is keenly aware of the need to engage volunteers, staff, artists and consultants to enrich our thinking about the challenging environment for growing demand for this magnificent art form.”
Janelle Kruly
Public Relations Associate
Pacific Symphony
3631 S. Harbor Blvd. Suite 100
Santa Ana, CA 92704
Direct: 714/ 876-2385 │Tickets: 714/ 755-5799
