Wyoming Symphony Appoints New Executive Director

Melissa MacDonald will take over from Rebecca Hebert

The Wyoming Symphony, which is currently in its 75th anniversary season, has announced that Melissa MacDonald will serve as its new Executive Director. She will succeed Rebecca Hebert in the role.

MacDonald takes the reins at a time of change for the organization: its Music Director, the Australian conductor Christopher Dragon, recently stepped down in order to take up a position as Music Director of the Greensboro (NC) Symphony.

MacDonald has worked across a range of symphony and theater organizations and comes to Casper, Wyoming from a role as the relationship manager at the Newport Symphony Orchestra. She studied theater with a minor in music and folklore at the University of Oregon, and as a child, performed extensively alongside her father.

She also has extensive administration experience outside of the music sector, having spent fourteen years as a Deputy Clerk in Lincoln County, Oregon.

"I’m thoroughly invested in the culture and the musical community," MacDonald said. "All of the programs offered by the WSO, they aren’t things that you see everywhere else. I’m really impressed by what’s been established here, and I want to be involved as much as possible."

"I’m really enjoying the community here and the kindness," she added. "Everyone here is so genuine and down to earth, it’s been very refreshing. This is a beautiful time to be here. I feel really fortunate to be stepping in to something that’s so well established."