Hilary Respass

Director, Hartt School Community Division

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Hilary Respass was appointed the Director of The Hartt School's Community Division in May 2010. Prior to her new role at Hartt, Ms. Respass was Executive Director for Preparatory and Continuing Education at New England Conservatory.

A graduate of New England Conservatory and the University of Michigan, Ms. Respass is a trained clarinetist, with degrees in music education and performance. She has more than twenty years of professional experience working in the arts in a variety of capacities. In addition to her most recent leadership role at New England Conservatory, Ms. Respass has served as Head of Operations and Institutional Planning (2007-2009), spearheading the institution's strategic planning process; as Manager of Performance Services (1995-1998), during which she was heavily involved in the restoration and re-opening of NEC's Jordan Hall; as Budget Director (1994); and, just after graduate school, as Office Manager of what is now called Preparatory and Continuing Education. Ms. Respass was Managing Director of the highly acclaimed contemporary music ensemble Boston Musica Viva (1991-1993).

From 1999 to 2001, Ms. Respass served as Director of Operations at the Aspen Music Festival and School. From 2002-2006, Ms. Respass served as Director of Artistic and Management Services for the American Symphony Orchestra League (now the League of American Orchestras). In that capacity, she directed the Orchestra Management Fellowship Program, the Ford Made in America commissioning project for 65 regional orchestras across the country, the Mentors Program, and the Music Alive composer-in-residence program for orchestras.