As the third president in Music Academy history serving from July 2004 to August 2010, NancyBell Coe presided over a series of ambitious campus efforts, including the renovation of Hahn Hall prior to the start of the Academy’s 2008 Summer School and Festival. The Academy’s stature had grown steadily, resulting in a record number of applications for its 2009 Summer School and Festival and increased national notice for its programmatic offerings.
A graduate of Wellesley College in Massachusetts, NancyBell Coe began her lengthy career in classical music administration as a staff member of the Spokane Symphony Orchestra from 1978 through 1985. Prior to being named president of the Music Academy, she served as artistic administrator of the Aspen Music Festival and School from 1999 through 2003, and as manager and general manager of The Cleveland Orchestra from 1990 through 1998. NancyBell went to Cleveland from the Los Angeles Philharmonic, where, between 1986 and 1990, she served as administrator of the Philharmonic Institute (a summer professional training program), orchestra manager, and general manager.