“Michael Pastreich isn’t shy about making one big admission: He took the job as the new executive director of The Washington Ballet in part because he wanted to work with Julie Kent,” writes Michael McCarthy in the December issue of Modern Luxury DC (Washington, D.C). “The legendary ballerina is now the creative director of the company, and Pastreich, who has been president and CEO of the Florida Orchestra for the past 11 years, says the experience has been fascinating.” Prior to the Florida Orchestra, Pastreich was executive director of the Elgin Symphony in Illinois and operations director of the San Jose Symphony. “Q: What has surprised you most about DC? Pastreich: I expected everything to be far more politicized. I have no idea of the political leanings of most of my board members—and I don’t need to. Everyone comes together to make great ballet and checks their political affiliations at the door. Q: What’s your professional mantra for leadership? Pastreich: Part of leadership is about knowing how to develop and when to spend social capital…. Q: Who are your artistic heroes? Pastreich: Yo-Yo Ma…. He’s … an apostle for great art.”
Posted December 10, 2019
