Ben Cadwallader

Prior to joining LACO, Benjamin Cadwallader was Executive Director of the Vermont Symphony Orchestra (VSO). Under his leadership, VSO evolved to become a creative leader in Vermont’s arts community, increasing contributed revenue and growing audiences statewide. He helped create a constellation of collaborative, inclusive and innovative musical and educational musical experiences that have been proven popular with audiences and donors alike, bringing together an enthusiastic and growing fan base.

At the Los Angeles Philharmonic Association, where Ben served as Education Programs Manager and oversaw educational initiatives and managed the Composer Fellowship Program, he ushered the program through a period of remarkable growth, reinvention, and increased national visibility. Ben hired composer Andrew Norman as Program Director and composer Sarah Gibson as Teaching Artist and expanded LA Phil musician involvement in the program. During his tenure, the number of applications for the fellowship reached historic highs.

With Norman and composer/conductor Christopher Rountree, he conceived, created and implemented the National Composers Intensive (NCI). He also oversaw the YOLA Neighborhood Project in-school residencies and expanded the program to include 15 partner schools, serving 6,200 students in grades K-5.

As a strong believer in the importance of community involvement, Ben volunteered as a mentor with the King Street Center in Burlington, VT. He also served as volunteer oboe teacher for Youth Orchestra Los Angeles (YOLA) and was a volunteer youth group facilitator for the Children’s Bereavement Center of South Texas.

Ben holds a Bachelors of Music in Performance from Mannes College of Music.