Pacific Symphony

Profile Not Current (Last updated: Apr 08, 2025 )

MANAGEMENT

CEO/Executive Director

Mr. John Forsyte

CEO/Executive Director Experience

John E. Forsyte has led the Pacific Symphony - one of the nation’s fastest growing orchestral institutions - since May, 1998. During his tenure, the Pacific Symphony’s budget has grown by over 200% while remaining balanced each year. Its current budget stands at over $19 million.Under John’s leadership, the Symphony has enjoyed a 400% increase in contributed and an additional $18 million pledged to its endowment during this same period. Artistically, the orchestra has launched two new concert series, an American Composers Festival and offered American Composers Competitions. In 2009, the Symphony was awarded its first major grant from the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation to establish new audience engagement practices. As a result, a three concert Music Unwound series was established. In 2010, the Symphony was showcased by the League of American Orchestras as one America’s most innovative orchestras for its efforts around thematic programming. Shortly after this honor, the Symphony was awarded an ASCAP prize for adventurous programming.John was instrumental in leading the orchestra to its Carnegie Hall debut, tour to China and its national television broadcast on PBS' Great Performances. 

Staff Information

Number of Full-Time Staff 50
Number of Part-Time Staff 6
Number of Volunteers 2415
Number of Contract Staff 88

Staff Demographics

Ethnicity
Other 0
Caucasian 37
Hispanic/Latino 2
African American/Black 1
Asian American/Pacific Islander 10
Native American/American Indian 0
Gender
Male 26
Female 24
Not Specified 0

CONTACT

Pacific Symphony

17620 Fitch
Suite 100
IRVINE, CA 92614

Luisa Cariaga

LCariaga@PacificSymphony.org

Phone: 714-876-2369

www.pacificsymphony.org