Today, in association with Eastman School of Music, Gateways Music Festival – a national organization dedicated to connecting and supporting professional classical musicians of African descent – announced succession plans for its new leadership. The changes are set to begin in July 2023, when long-time Gateways musician, volunteer leader and board member Alexander Laing will become Gateways’ Executive Director. In this capacity he will work alongside current President & Artistic Director Lee Koonce before succeeding Koonce as President & Artistic Director in January 2024. Once Laing has assumed this leadership position, Koonce will serve the organization in the newly created role of Senior Advisor.

The announcement was made by Kearstin Piper Brown, Chair of the Gateways Music Festival board of directors. She said:

“We are excited to welcome Alex into the role of Gateways’ Executive Director and look forward to his becoming the festival’s next President & Artistic Director. We are also pleased that Lee will take on the position of Senior Advisor beginning in January 2024 at the conclusion of his seven-year tenure as President & Artistic Director and, prior to that, an eight-year tenure as chair of the Festival’s Artistic Programs Committee. Lee’s leadership has been transformative for Gateways and we are grateful that he has agreed to continue to support the organization going forward.”

To ensure continuity, Lee Koonce will remain Gateways’ President & Artistic Director through December 31, 2023, and will become Senior Advisor starting January 1, 2024. A Gateways board member since 1997, Koonce will also remain on the board.

An internationally recognized performer and thought leader, Alexander Laing has been principal clarinet of the Phoenix Symphony since 2002. He has been a member of the Gateways Festival Orchestra since 2001 and has served on the Gateways board of directors since 2018. Laing is also a co-founder of the Black Orchestral Network, a nationwide community of Black musicians seeking to build a richer and more robust American orchestral community. He said:

“I am deeply honored and humbled to be appointed Gateways’ next President & Artistic Director. Gateways has been a long-standing commitment and inspiration for me professionally and personally. I am thrilled about this opportunity and am looking forward to working with our community of artists, staff, board of directors, and supporters to fully realize the vision of a vibrant and thriving artistic home for Black professional classical musicians.”

Jesse Rosen, a Gateways board member and chair of the festival’s Succession Planning Committee, said:

“Alex is a testament to the original vision of Armenta Hummings Dumisani, Gateways’ founder, who wanted Gateways musicians to go out into the world and provide opportunities for other Black classical musicians. During the more than 20 years that he has been part of the Gateways family, Alex has become an acknowledged and trusted leader in the field of classical music and we feel extraordinarily fortunate that he will bring his considerable experience, gifts and talents to this new role.”

Kearstin Piper Brown acknowledged the important contributions of Lee Koonce to Gateways’ evolution and success. In her announcement, the Gateways board chair said:

“Lee has been a transformative leader for Gateways since well before his appointment as President & Artistic Director in 2016. Building upon the founder’s vision of a home for classical musicians of African descent, he has developed Gateways into an institution of national significance that has empowered Black classical musicians and increased their visibility.”

Under Koonce’s leadership, Gateways has increased both the scope and frequency of its activities to include concerts and residencies beyond Rochester, such as a two-city festival that included engagements in New York City, culminating in the Gateways Festival Orchestra’s sold-out Carnegie Hall debut in April 2022. Additional tours, residencies and online activities are under development for the 2023-24 and 2024-25 seasons, including a return to New York City in fall 2023 and the orchestra’s Chicago debut in 2024. Koonce has also been instrumental in growing Gateways’ institutional capacity through effective board development, ensuring robust fiscal health, and expanding the staff to include new roles in development and operations. Most importantly, he has paved the way for Gateways’ continued success and growth.

Titus Underwood, principal oboe of both the Nashville Symphony and Gateways Festival Orchestra, said:

“Lee Koonce has been an amazing and forward-thinking leader and his work over the years has shown the depth of his compassion and his dedication to Gateways. Gateways’ debut at Carnegie Hall would not have happened without Lee’s tireless efforts. He has taken the festival to greater heights during his tenure and Alex Laing is the most qualified and elegant next step as leader. Alex has been strongly committed to the mission and work of Gateways for many years. He is a brilliant thinker and will take the festival even further as we enter this exciting next phase.”

Koonce responded:

“Working for Gateways Music Festival has been the highlight of my life and career. I feel extraordinarily fortunate to have had an opportunity to work with so many brilliant and talented musicians, volunteers, partner organizations and staff to advance the work of Gateways’ unique mission. Gateways will be in terrific hands under Alex’s leadership and I look forward to supporting and cheering him and the organization on.”

Koonce continued:

“There is so much to look forward to as Gateways begins to travel across the country, and eventually to travel internationally, highlighting and celebrating the contributions of Black classical musicians. Representation matters and the importance of seeing Black professional classical musicians in your hometown is immeasurable. I am particularly grateful to the foundations and individuals whose support has made this vital growth possible.”

Media Only: Glenn Petry, 21C Media Group, 212-625-2038, [email protected]
Jessica Kaufman, Eastman School of Music, 585-274-1057, [email protected]

Click Here To View The Gateways Music Festival Announces Succession Plans For New Leadership