The Ojai Music Festival in Southern California has named ARA GUZELIMIAN as artistic and executive director as of July 1, 2020, adding the executive director responsibilities to his previously announced appointment as artistic director earlier this year. In addition, the festival has announced that GINA GUTIERREZ will become managing director. Jamie Bennett will retire as president and CEO after leading the festival for the past five years. Guzelimian served as provost and dean of the Juilliard School from 2006 to 2019, where he oversaw faculty, curriculum, and artistic planning in its dance, drama, and music divisions. Prior to that, he was senior director and artistic advisor of Carnegie Hall (1998–2006), artistic administrator of the Aspen Music Festival and School (1993–1998), and artistic administrator of the Los Angeles Philharmonic (1986–1993). He previously served as Ojai’s artistic director from 1992 to 1997.
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