SoNA’s Natalie Fernandez Selected for National Orchestra Personnel Management Intensive
The Symphony of Northwest Arkansas is proud to share that Natalie Fernandez, SoNA’s Personnel Manager and Education Director, has been selected to participate in the inaugural Orchestra Personnel Management Intensive presented by the League of American Orchestras.
Natalie is one of just 20 orchestra professionals nationwide chosen for this highly competitive, four-day professional development program, which will take place March 16-19, 2026, at Indiana University. The Intensive marks the first in a new national series focused on specialized leadership roles within orchestra administration.
Designed as a deep-dive into the complexities of orchestra personnel management, the program brings together experienced professionals from across the country to strengthen leadership skills, share best practices, and explore the evolving landscape of orchestra operations. Curriculum topics include musician management and hiring, collective bargaining agreements, auditions and tenure, inclusive workplace cultures, conflict resolution, employment law, and crisis problem-solving, alongside structured opportunities for peer exchange and reflection.
“We had an incredible response to the announcement of the first year of this program,” said Simon Woods, President and CEO of the League of American Orchestras. “This cohort is experienced, dedicated, and passionate about serving American orchestras.”
Natalie’s selection places SoNA alongside some of the nation’s most respected orchestral institutions and reflects both her professional leadership and the organization’s continued investment in excellence. Her dual role overseeing personnel and education initiatives positions her uniquely to bring national-level insights back to Northwest Arkansas – benefiting musicians, students, and the broader community SoNA serves.
The Orchestra Personnel Management Intensive is supported by a generous grant from The Dr. M. Lee Pearce Foundation, Inc. and is presented in collaboration with Indiana University’s O’Neill School of Public and Environmental Affairs. Faculty for the program includes senior leaders from orchestras such as the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra and Los Angeles Philharmonic, as well as experts in labor relations, human resources, and orchestral operations.
As SoNA continues to grow artistically and institutionally, opportunities like this underscore the organization’s commitment to professional development, thoughtful leadership, and national engagement – all in service of delivering exceptional musical experiences to our region.
Please join us in congratulating Natalie on this well-deserved honor.
