Dallas Symphony Announces New President and CEO

Michelle Miller Burns will assume the role as of September 2024

The Dallas Symphony Orchestra (DSO) has welcomed Michelle Miller Burns as its Ross Perot President and Chief Executive Officer, as of September 23, 2024.

She will succeed Kim Noltemy, who has held the position since 2018 and will be leaving to join the Los Angeles Philharmonic as president and CEO this July.

In 2018, Burns was appointed president and CEO of the Minnesota Orchestra (MO), which, under her leadership, launched a multi-year revenue growth plan, plus unveiled This Is Minnesota Orchestra, a multi-channel series that was honored with an Upper Midwest Emmy Award in 2022.

Additionally, she negotiated a new agreement in 2022 with MO musicians extending until 2026, and announced Thomas Søndergård as MO’s 11th music director in September 2023, following an extensive search.

Previously, she served as DSO’s Interim President and CEO and the Executive Vice President for Institutional Advancement and Chief Operating Officer.

In the interim, before Burns begins tenure in her new role, the DSO’s senior staff will work with board chair Cece Smith and senior adviser David Hyslop on day-to-day operations.

“I am delighted to return to Dallas to lead this incredible organization,” said Burns in the press release. “The DSO is where I first stepped into a senior leadership role in the orchestra field, and this is an organization and a community that I love. The Dallas Symphony is on an exciting trajectory — actively building on its commitment to artistic excellence and community engagement. The work that is being done on stage with the orchestra and Music Director Fabio Luisi is being recognized around the world, and I look forward to working with musicians, artistic leadership, Board, staff, volunteers, fans and supporters to continue to strengthen the DSO’s impact in Dallas and beyond.”

“During her time with the DSO, Michelle established strong relationships throughout the organization, and we are thrilled that she is re-joining the DSO as its next President & CEO,” added Smith. “We know that with her depth of experience in the orchestra field, her very successful tenure with the Minnesota Orchestra and her deep ties within the Dallas community, Michelle will continue the momentum of the DSO.”

“I am so proud of the work that we have done here in Dallas, in our performances and within our community,” commented DSO’s music director Fabio Luisi. “I am confident that Michelle will be a great partner to build upon our strengths and bring even more audiences and attention to the Dallas Symphony, further developing our activities for our community and internationally.”