Cordelia Neff in charge of Administration, Education and Development
SANTA CRUZ — Santa Cruz Symphony Executive Director, Dorothy Wise, announced that Cordelia Neff has been hired as Director of Administration, Education and Development, providing support in the areas of youth education programs, office administration, volunteers and development. She succeeds Katie McKendry, who resigned to pursue a graduate degree.
“I am eager to work with Cordelia in her new role with the Symphony,” states Dorothy Wise. “Her experience leading the Friends of the Santa Cruz Public Libraries, her participation in Leadership Santa Cruz, and her love of classical music make her a natural fit for our organization. With her skillset, Cordelia will be instrumental to the Symphony’s outreach and continued growth.”
Most recently Neff was the Executive Director for the Friends of the Santa Cruz Public Libraries, where community relations, organization and fundraising were a focus. This will continue in her role with the Symphony, in reaching out to donors and getting to know the supporters as first items of business.
“We are thrilled to have Cordelia become a member of our Symphony family. Through her previous work as Executive Director of the Friends of the Santa Cruz Public Libraries, she has forged strong connections in the community and demonstrated excellent organizational skills. Moreover, she is a delight to work with and will be a great addition to our administrative team,” states Board President, Owen Brown.
Hailing from Maryland and a Biology major at Eckerd College in St. Petersburg, Florida, self-professed “adventure” led her to Santa Cruz, California, where she has resided for nearly four years. A clarinetist since fourth grade, she was a former musician and board member of the Rockville Concert Band in Maryland. Currently she plays with the UCSC Wind Ensemble and volunteers for the San Jose and Santa Cruz County Youth Symphonies. It is this love of music that brought her to the Santa Cruz Symphony.
“Music has been a lifelong passion for me. I play in a wind ensemble and have never stopped playing in a band. There’s something magical about playing with other people and melding your sound. I think that is often a metaphor for life in general and being with a team. I’m very excited about joining the Santa Cruz Symphony and supporting such a high quality musical organization,” states Neff.
•••
Founded in 1958, the Santa Cruz Symphony’s mission is to inspire, educate and engage through artistic excellence, distinctive musical performances, and varied activities that celebrate and enhance cultural vibrancy. 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. A cornerstone of the performing arts in the Greater San Francisco and Monterey Bay Areas, Santa Cruz Symphony receives frequent critical acclaim. Visit santacruzsymphony.org for more information.