Boston, MA—The Board of Directors of the Longwood Symphony Orchestra is delighted to announce the appointment of Hannah Collins as the orchestra’s new Executive Director, effective January 6, 2025.
An accomplished arts administrator, cellist, and educator, Collins has moved beyond traditional silos throughout her career to excel as a musician, scientist, and creative collaborator. In each role, Collins has brought deep and practical knowledge of how the arts advance healing and well-being for individuals and communities. Currently associate professor and string area coordinator at the University of Kansas School of Music, she has also held teaching and administrative positions at Greenwood Music Camp, Avaloch Farm Music Institute, and Kneisel Hall. With the Boston-based Grammy-nominated chamber orchestra A Far Cry, she has served as a cellist, co-artistic director, and board member. As an alumna of Ensemble Connect, a fellowship program of Carnegie Hall, The Juilliard School, and the Weill Music Institute, she has focused her career on combining musical artistry, teaching, community engagement, advocacy, entrepreneurship, and leadership, including work with Decoda and New Morse Code. Collins graduated summa cum laude with a BS in biomedical engineering from Yale University. She received her Masters of Music and Artist Diploma from the Yale School of Music, and her Doctor of Musical Arts from the City University of New York.
“Hannah’s commitment to the mission of Longwood really drew the interest of the search committee,” said Cassandra Ling, Chair of the Board of Directors. “We are excited to welcome Hannah into the Longwood Symphony family and thrilled to have such an accomplished professional partnering with the Board and our new music director.”
“Growing up in a family full of medical professionals who have a love for music and music-making, I share many common values with the LSO members,” said Collins, “specifically a strong belief in the direct impact of the arts on individual and community health. I greatly admire the mission of the orchestra, and I look forward to deepening our relationships with our community partners and the broader Boston medical community.”
“I’m very excited that Hannah’s values and vision align perfectly with our mission,” said Music Director Jotaro Nakano. “I’m looking forward to partnering with her and producing programs that will continue our commitment to the Healing Art of Music.”
About Longwood Symphony
Founded in Boston in 1982, the Longwood Symphony Orchestra is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that uniquely focuses on combining the healing arts of music and medicine. Named after Boston’s Longwood Medical Area, the orchestra’s members are primarily healthcare professionals, researchers, medical students, therapists, and caregivers, many of whom pursued advanced musical studies before turning to medicine. The orchestra is nationally recognized for its musical quality, innovative programming, and unique model of community engagement. Since 1991, the LSO has used its concerts to help nonprofit “Community Partners” raise awareness and funds for important medical, wellness, and educational causes; to date, the program has helped more than 55 nonprofit organizations raise nearly $3M. The orchestra received the 2007 MetLife Award for Excellence in Community Engagement from the League of American Orchestras, as well as the 2011 Commonwealth Award from the Massachusetts Cultural Council.
More information about the LSO, including programs, soloists, and community partners, is available on our website: www.longwoodsymphony.org.
High-Res photo of Hannah Collins. (Credit: John Paul Henry)