Maria Sensi Sellner Named Akron Symphony Chorus Director

AKRON—After a three-month search, the Akron Symphony is pleased to announce the appointment of Maria Sensi Sellner as Akron Symphony Chorus Director.

Ms Sellner (a Pittsburgh, PA native) was the Assistant Conductor for recent productions of Bizet’s Carmen and Verdi’s Otello with Opera Carolina. She has been the Music Director of the All University Orchestra and String Theory Chamber Orchestra at Carnegie Mellon University for the past eight seasons, and she also serves as a conducting assistant for the Mendelssohn Choir of Pittsburgh, the chorus of choice of the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra. She has graduate degrees in conducting (a student of Robert Page), composition, and engineering, all from Carnegie Mellon.

Ms. Sellner assumes the position from Dr. Hugh Ferguson Floyd who announced his resignation at the end of January.

QUOTES
Attributable to Christopher Wilkins, Akron Symphony Music Director:
“I am thrilled that Maria Sellner is joining our artistic team. She is a first-rate musician and conductor, and comes to us with outstanding choral experience in both symphonic and operatic settings. Maria emerged from an exceptionally strong pool of candidates, making the work of our dedicated search committee both difficult and rewarding.”

“Maria is a natural-born conductor and teacher, perfectly at home on the podium. Her rapport with the Akron Symphony Chorus was instantaneous. We are all thrilled to welcome her to Akron, and to begin the joyous process of preparing a busy season and making music together.”

Attributable to Maria Sensi Sellner, New Akron Symphony Chorus Director:
“I am very excited to join the GAMA family! From my first contact with Maestro Wilkins, the administration, and the chorus, I felt a positive connection of ideas and musical vision. I look forward to leading the chorus into its next chapter.”

PHOTOS
Maria Sensi Sellner, New Akron Symphony Chorus Director

LINKS
Maria Sensi Sellner Bio
About Akron Symphony Chorus
News Release: Floyd Resigns From Akron Symphony Chorus Director Post

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ABOUT THE AKRON SYMPHONY
For nearly 60 years, the Akron Symphony Orchestra has been a driving musical force throughout the Greater Akron area. Widely recognized for musical excellence and performance versatility, it is committed to meeting the needs of its community.

The Akron Symphony Orchestra began in 1949 when Mabel Lamborn Graham received $500 as “seed money” from the publisher of the Akron Beacon Journal with the instruction to begin raising money for a professional, union orchestra. After three years of intense fundraising, spearheaded by Mrs. Graham and other dedicated volunteers, the Akron Symphony’s Classic Series was established in the organization’s first season (1952-1953) to provide concerts performed by professional musicians of the highest caliber. Guest conductors and soloists of regional and national stature have been an integral part of the Classic Series since its onset, and remain a high priority for the Symphony.

The Akron Symphony Orchestra is operated by the Greater Akron Musical Association (GAMA). GAMA is committed to providing quality symphonic an choral music, through performances and educational programs, to the largest number of people possible in the greater Akron area. This mission is realized by operating the Akron Symphony Orchestra, Akron Youth Orchestras, Akron Symphony Chorus, and numerous special outreach and educational programs.

Contact:
Jason Swank
Marketing & Public Relations Director
jswank@akronsymphony.org
(330) 535-8131