South Bend Symphony Orchestra has named Steven Haines as the new Executive Director, and Arts Consulting Group (ACG) extends its congratulations on his leadership appointment. He will begin his tenure on August 4, 2025.
The South Bend Symphony Orchestra inspires the community with the transformative power of orchestral music in all its forms by producing 20 mainstage programs, serving more than 29,000 attendees annually. As the region’s only professional orchestra, the Symphony is committed to diverse sound and a robust arts community in Michiana that entertains and connects people to music.
Steven Haines has over 30 years of experience in nonprofit and performing arts management. Most recently, Haines was Executive Director of Symphony of the Americas based in Florida, and President & CEO of Tucson Symphony Orchestra, one of the largest arts organizations in the State of Arizona. Prior to his move to Arizona, Haines was the Chief Executive Officer of The Young Americans, a nearly 60-year-old nonprofit performing arts college and international touring organization. Prior to working with The Young Americans, he joined the iconic San Francisco Zoo as its Vice President of Strategic Growth & Marketing, where he was responsible for all areas of earned revenues.
From 2006 until his joining San Francisco Zoo in May of 2016, Haines was Executive Director of San Francisco’s Stern Grove Festival, the country’s oldest nonprofit music festival and presenter of admission-free concerts and outreach programs. Prior to joining the Festival, Haines was the Vice President for POPS of The Philadelphia Orchestra, and President & CEO of Peter Nero and the Philly Pops for nearly eight years before that. Haines’ early career began in Florida, working with The Florida Pops, Palm Beach Pops, and Florida Philharmonic Orchestra.
Steven Haines shares, “I am honored to join the South Bend Symphony Orchestra as Executive Director, and excited about my partnership with Maestro Alastair Willis and new Board President Susan Ohmer to broaden and deepen the Symphony’s role as a vibrant, accessible cultural cornerstone. A symphony orchestra belongs to its community—it inspires connection and should be a place where everyone feels welcome. I am thrilled to call the Michiana region my new home and to be part of such a beautiful and welcoming community.”
ACG is the leading provider of hands-on interim management, executive search, revenue enhancement, strategic planning & community engagement, and facilities & program planning and research services for the arts and culture industry. ACG consultants are located in communities across the United States and Canada to best serve the needs of our clients. ACG team members have decades of combined senior leadership experience in every artistic and cultural discipline and area of functional management expertise.