The Rivers School and The Rivers School Conservatory (RSC) have selected Gabriella Sanna as Director of the Conservatory and Chair of Rivers’ Performing Arts Department, following an executive search process led by Arts Consulting Group (ACG). Returning to the Rivers community, Ms. Sanna previously held various roles at RSC, including Chamber Music Department Chair, Registrar, and private piano instructor. She began her new role with Rivers and RSC on August 1, 2018.
Deeply committed to music performance and music education, Ms. Sanna has nearly two decades of experience in arts administration. She most recently served as Executive Director at Project STEP, which provides rigorous string training, performance opportunities, and family support for children from underrepresented communities in the Greater Boston area. For six years she held the role of Executive Director at the Dedham School of Music, where she exponentially increased enrollment and developed an array of outreach and educational programs. Additionally, Ms. Sanna has held leadership roles at the Steinway Society of Massachusetts Piano Competition, Dana Hall School of Music, and Beaver Country Day School.
An award-winning pianist, Ms. Sanna is an active performer in solo piano recitals, chamber music, and collaborative piano with vocal and instrumental groups in the Boston area and throughout Italy. She holds a master’s degree in piano performance from the Longy School of Music, an artist diploma in piano performance from the Accademia Internazionale di Novara, Italy, and a bachelor’s degree equivalent in piano performance from the Conservatorio di Musica “L. Canepa” di Sassari, Italy.
In making the announcement, The Rivers School Head Ned Parsons said, “The hiring committee saw quickly that Gabriella’s impressive musical background, combined with leadership in the world of both community music schools and independent schools, made her a perfect fit both to lead The Rivers School Conservatory and to chair the Performing Arts Department at The Rivers School. Importantly, we also saw that her commitment to inclusion in music education and to expanding opportunities for students of all ages and backgrounds to engage and discover a passion for the arts made her a perfect fit for our community. We’re thrilled to have Gabriella joining The Rivers School as she steps in to lead our programming forward.”
“ACG congratulates The Rivers School and The Rivers School Conservatory on the appointment of Gabriella Sanna,” said ACG President Bruce D. Thibodeau, DBA. “Ms. Sanna’s experience leading a wide array of music education organizations, her track record in educational programming, and her career as a teaching artist will contribute to RSC’s reputation for developing a lifelong passion for music and the performing arts in students of all ages. We wish Ms. Sanna, The Rivers School, and RSC all the best.”
August 2018