Genevieve Twomey

A native of Melbourne, Australia, Genevieve Twomey has served as the Executive Director of the Meadowmount School of Music since June of 2024. Genevieve began her career in orchestra management in 1996 when she was selected as an Orchestra Management Fellow with the League of American Orchestras. During that fellowship year she completed residencies with the Pacific, Baltimore, and Detroit symphony orchestras.  Following the fellowship program she continued with the Detroit Symphony Orchestra as Operations Manager working with Music Director Neeme Järvi. During her time in Detroit, she served in a dual role as both Operations and Hall Manager taking on responsibility for facilities, security, and front of house operations for 18 months. In 1999, she worked in collaboration with the DSO and the Urban League of Detroit as the Project Manager for the Tribute to Rosa Parks at which Vice President Al Gore presented Ms. Parks with the Gold Congressional Medal of Honor.

In 2000, Genevieve joined the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra where she worked first as Orchestra Manager for three years and then as General Manager for four years. There she worked with Music Director Mariss Jansons and Artistic Advisor Sir Andrew Davis on numerous international tours and media projects. Based on her prior experience with the DSO, the PSO established the Paul J. Ross Fellowship for African American Musicians.

In 2008, Genevieve was recruited as the Executive Director of Kitchener-Waterloo Symphony in Ontario. Working with Music Director Edwin Outwater, the Kitchener-Waterloo Symphony went from the verge of bankruptcy to being recognized as Canada’s “most innovative orchestra” (Maclean’s 2011). In 2010, she was named one of the Waterloo Region Record’s “Top 40 Under 40”, and in 2011 she led a bid to secure management of a black box theatre (the Conrad Centre) in downtown Kitchener, expanding KWS’ operations dramatically.

In 2013, Genevieve returned to the USA for family reasons and joined the Cathedral Choral Society at Washington National Cathedral as Executive Director. Under her leadership, the CCS went from financial instability to firm footing and doubled the size of their endowment. Genevieve led the organization through the very emotional and difficult transition following the unexpected death of Music Director J. Reilly Lewis and the search for their new Music Director, Steven Fox. Under their leadership, the Cathedral Choral Society was nominated for Best Choral Performance for the Alexander Kastalsky, Requiem recording released on the NAXOS label.

In 2018, Genevieve joined the National Symphony Orchestra at The Kennedy Center first as General Manager and then Vice President & General Manager. In 2020, she worked with LSO Live to launch the NSO’s own media label and produced their first commercial recording in more than a decade. During the COVID-19 pandemic she managed COVID protocols for the NSO and worked tirelessly to keep the NSO performing concerts in safe working conditions and virtually. In 2022, Genevieve was promoted to Interim Executive Director and led the NSO through a leadership transition including supporting with the search for the NSO’s new Executive Director. In 2023, following the release of the NSO’s second album, George Walker Five Sinfonias, the NSO was nominated by Gramophone magazine as one of ‘The World’s Greatest Orchestras’. Other producer credits include the NSO boxset of ‘The Complete Beethoven Symphonies’, ‘So Fragile, So Blue’ featuring William Shatner, and “Four Symphonic Works” featuring the music of Kennedy Center Composer-in-Residence Carlos Simon. In 2024, Genevieve was responsible for the planning and implementation of the NSO first international tour in more than 10 years; the NSO’s 18-day tour including concerts in Spain, Germany, and at La Scala in Milan.

Genevieve graduated from the University of Melbourne with a Bachelor of Arts and from the Peabody Conservatory of the Johns Hopkins University with both a Master of Music and a Graduate Performance Diploma in cello performance. At Peabody she was a student of Stephen Kates. In addition to being an alumna of the Orchestra Management Fellowship Program with the League of American Orchestras, Genevieve is a Gallup-trained CliftonStrengths coach, and has completed courses in positive psychology (UPenn), human resources and employment relations (Penn State), and governance and board relations (Wilfrid Laurier).