The Board of the Sydney Symphony Orchestra has announced the appointment of Australian expatriate and New York-based performing arts executive Emma E. Dunch as CEO of the Sydney Symphony Orchestra.

Ms. Dunch was raised on Sydney’s North Shore and will return to Australia to assume this role. She has lived and worked in New York City since 1999.  She is currently President of DUNCH, a New York-based cultural management firm she founded in 2008 that has advised more than 125 creative organisations across the United States, the United Kingdom and Australia on fundraising, financial management, strategic planning and leadership development.

Regarding her appointment, Terrey Arcus, Chairman of the SSO said, “Emma has a great breadth of orchestral management experience which equips her well to guide the SSO through one of the biggest projects in its 85-year history – the renewal of our home at the Sydney Opera House Concert Hall. This includes capitalising on all the opportunities presented by a period outside the Sydney Opera House, as well as relaunching the SSO when it returns to its iconic home with acoustics to match its design.”

Emma Dunch said, “I’m truly inspired by this opportunity to come full circle, returning to my home city and to the organization that first fostered my love of symphonic music and inspired my pursuit of an international career in this arena.  The Sydney Symphony Orchestra is a world-class ensemble and I look forward to partnering with the Board, David Robertson, the musicians, staff and community to ensure a vibrant future for one of our nation’s most cherished arts organizations.”