Astral Artists, the Philadelphia-based nonprofit that develops the early careers of classical musicians, has appointed LOURDES STARR-DEMERS as executive director. She succeeds Astral founder Vera Wilson, who has been serving as the organization’s interim executive director and will remain on the Astral Board of Directors. Starr-Demers has held senior positions with the Curtis Institute of Music, most recently as senior vice president of artistic operations, where her work included broadening access to performances through technology and collaborations, diversifying repertoire and guest artists to include more women and people of color, and co-chairing Curtis’ Council for Inclusive Excellence, an initiative she co-founded to explore and address systemic racism in the Curtis community and the classical music industry. Starr-Demers previously worked at the Philadelphia Orchestra as director of special events and as director of orchestra personnel and operations. She has served on the board of Network for New Music and Montessori Schools in Philadelphia and Haddonfield, N.J., and is a member of the Diversity and Inclusion Committee of the Greater South Jersey Chorus, of which she is a member.
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