Music@RushHour: Special Edition with LA Phil President and CEO Kim Noltemy

Event details Date: Wednesday, September 9, 2026 Time: 5:00 PM Location: Newman Recital Hall (AHF 151) - 3616 Trousdale Parkway, Los Angeles, CA 90089 Type: Arts, Music Campus: University Park Campus Department: Thornton School of Music Audience: Students, Alumni, Faculty/Staff About this event In this special edition of USC Thornton School of Music's long-running Music@RushHour series, Kim Noltemy, President and Chief Executive Officer of the Los Angeles Philharmonic, sits down with USC Thornton Dean Jason King for a wide-ranging conversation about her professional journey, her approach to leadership and her perspective on the future of classical music. Noltemy will reflect on the experiences that have shaped her career and leadership philosophy, from her path through the classical music world to her current role leading one of the world’s most influential cultural institutions. The conversation will explore what it means to lead in the arts today, the opportunities and challenges facing classical music, and her vision for the LA Phil and the evolving musical landscape of Los Angeles. Offering both a personal and forward-looking perspective, the conversation will give USC Thornton students and the wider community an opportunity to hear directly from Noltemy about the lessons she has learned throughout her career, the ideas guiding her leadership and her hopes for the next generation of musicians and arts leaders. The conversation will be followed by a Q&A with students and audience members. ABOUT KIM NOLTEMY Kim Noltemy is guided by the belief that music is a transformational force in society. As President & Chief Executive Officer of the LA Phil, she leads California’s largest nonprofit performing arts organization, which includes the Los Angeles Philharmonic orchestra, three iconic venues in LA that annually present more than 300 events across genres, and vibrant education and community programs. Under Noltemy’s leadership, the LA Phil has reimagined its artistic leadership to embrace a new collaborative model, anchored by the appointments of Daniel Harding, who will become the 12th Music Director of the Los Angeles Philharmonic in the 2027/28 season; Creative Director Esa-Pekka Salonen; and Gustavo Dudamel, Artistic and Cultural Laureate of the LA Phil and Founding Director and Conductor Laureate of YOLA. Since beginning her tenure in July 2024, Noltemy has spearheaded campus-wide capital improvement projects at the Hollywood Bowl, including the construction of the Terri and Jerry Kohl Artists Pavilion, and helped create the Los Angeles County Parks Foundation Neighborhood Grant Program in partnership with Live Nation Hewitt Silva to benefit the communities surrounding the Hollywood Bowl and The Ford. She has increased access to high-quality music instruction to students across LA County through the expansion of the LA Phil’s flagship learning program, YOLA (Youth Orchestra Los Angeles). In response to the 2025 Los Angeles wildfires Official event details: https://calendar.usc.edu/event/usc-thornton-music-at-rush-hour-kim-noltemy-20260909