New Music USA Announces Vanessa Rose as President & CEO
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New Music USA Announces Vanessa Rose as President & CEO
Arts Leader and Composer Advocate to Lead National Organization
Supporting the Music of Our Time
NEW YORK, NY – August 5, 2025 – New Music USA, a leading national nonprofit organization supporting the music of our time in all its forms, announces the appointment of Vanessa Rose as President & CEO. Rose succeeds Vanessa Reed, who served as President & CEO from 2019 to 2025. Rose, whose tenure begins on October 15, 2025, brings more than 20 years of executive leadership experience in nonprofit arts administration, with a distinguished track record of championing living composers and leading organizations through mission-driven transformation.
"Vanessa Rose's appointment represents a natural evolution of her life's work as a passionate advocate for composers and performers working in new music," said new music advocate Anne-Marie Spataru, Co-Chair of New Music USA's Board of Directors. "Her proven ability to lead transformational change, build equity-centered programs, and expand organizational reach while maintaining deep community connections makes her the ideal leader to guide New Music USA into its next chapter of growth and national impact."
"Vanessa's unique combination of artistic background, executive leadership skills, and unwavering commitment to living composers makes her perfectly positioned to lead New Music USA forward," added composer Juan Pablo Contreras, Co-Chair of New Music USA's Board of Directors. "Her vision for building community-centered, equitable practices in music creation and presentation aligns perfectly with our organization's mission."
Rose comes to New Music USA from the American Composers Forum (ACF), where she has led the organization since 2019. Under her leadership, ACF underwent a significant transformation, increasing its advocacy as a national organization dedicated to supporting and advocating for individuals and groups creating music today by demonstrating the vitality and relevance of their art. This included developing groundbreaking programs such as "Anatomy of a Commission" with National Sawdust and American Composers Orchestra; acquiring the multimedia platform I CARE IF YOU LISTEN; establishing partnerships like "Composing Inclusion" with the New York Philharmonic and The Juilliard School of Music Preparatory Division and ACF I connect commissions with The Great Black Music Ensemble: An Ensemble of the Association for the Advancement of Creative Musicians™ (AACM), Music of the Unsung America, and the Gabriela Lena Frank Creative Academy of Music; plus expanding composer residencies with youth programs through ACF’s Quest publications – encouraging new relationships between and among artists, ensembles, and generations.
"Having worked alongside New Music USA for years, I'm thrilled to now join the organization at this exciting moment in its history," said Rose. "New Music USA has long been a vital national resource, and I'm honored to help advance its mission in this next chapter, empowering our dynamic community of artists and listeners."
Throughout her career, Rose has specialized in guiding arts organizations through significant transitions and strategic changes. Her leadership experience includes positions with the International Contemporary Ensemble, The Knights orchestral collective, the Lark Play Development Center, and American Composers Orchestra. She also served as Board Chair of the Performing Arts Alliance, a coalition of national performing arts organizations focused on public policy and advocacy. Her previous administrative experience includes positions at the Metropolitan Opera and League of American Orchestras, plus the League’s Orchestra Management Fellowship Program with the Dallas Symphony Orchestra, San Francisco Symphony, Elgin Symphony, and Aspen Music Festival and School.
Rose's appointment comes at a pivotal moment in New Music USA's evolution, with opportunities to broaden national reach, activate new networks, and expand the organization's revenue and relevance. As President & CEO, Rose will serve as New Music USA’s chief strategist, fundraiser, communicator, and team leader, building upon the organization's strong foundation of national programs and partnerships.
With a national board, a talented team of 10 staff, and an annual operating budget of approximately $3.2 million, New Music USA provides over $1 million in annual grant funding, cultivates mentorship and learning programs, and partners with community-based organizations across the country. Programmatic highlights include:
• New Music Creator Fund and New Music Organization Fund – Flagship national grant programs supporting independent music creators and artist-serving organizations.
• Next Jazz Legacy (in partnership with the Berklee Institute of Jazz and Gender Justice) – A nationally recognized mentorship and career acceleration program for emerging jazz improvisers.
• Reel Change Film Fund – Supporting composers who create music for film through targeted grants and high-impact mentorship.
• Amplifying Voices – A groundbreaking initiative to foster collaboration and equity in orchestral music.
• New Music Inc. – Localized incubators supporting small-budget, artist-led collectives in cities nationwide.
New Music USA’s work is grounded in values of imagination, connectivity, empowerment, belonging, and trust – with a commitment to continuous learning and equity-driven action.
A Western classical violinist with performance degrees from the Eastman School of Music and Mannes College of Music, Rose brings both artistic perspective and administrative expertise to her role. Rose's tenure at ACF included overseeing the organization's $1.8 million budget while driving programs that empower composers with resources and funding, model creative partnerships, and advocate for artists through storytelling and connections.
New Music USA’s international executive search was conducted by HC Smith Ltd and led by a search committee chaired by members of the Board of Directors.
About New Music USA
New Music USA is a national nonprofit organization dedicated to advancing new music in all its forms. Its mission is to nurture a vibrant and inclusive community for artists and listeners by supporting the creation, performance, and appreciation of new music throughout the United States. Through responsive grant-making; skill-building; mentorship and convenings for creators from all backgrounds; and platforms designed to connect music-makers with organizations and their audiences, New Music USA works to ensure a thriving, connected, and equitable ecosystem for the music of our time.