Minnesota Sinfonia Staff
Jay Fishman, Executive & Artistic Director
Jay Fishman has been the artistic and executive director of the Minnesota Sinfonia since its inception in 1989. Under his leadership, the Sinfonia inaugurated its polices of free admission and welcoming children to all concerts, and created Music in the Schools, the orchestra’s education program for inner-city elementary students.
As artistic director, Mr. Fishman is responsible for the development, quality and execution of all the Minnesota Sinfonia’s music programs. He chooses all musicians, repertoire and soloists, and conducts all rehearsals and concerts, including all Music in the Schools (MIS) performances, and is instrumental in the development of the MIS curriculum. As Executive Director, he oversees all administrative matters, and works with the orchestra’s management as needed on fundraising and other tasks.
Jay earned a bachelor of science in music education and bachelor of arts in music composition from the University of Minnesota in 1969. In 1974, he earned a master’s degree in orchestral conducting from the Indiana University School of Music. Also in 1974, he was a finalist in the Fulbright-Hayes Conducting Fellowship. From 1974 to 1976, Jay served as music director and conductor for the Louisville Chamber Orchestra. He then traveled to London, where he worked with Sir Neville Mariner of the Academy of Saint Martin in the Fields Chamber Orchestra. While in London, he also recorded for BBC Radio.
In 1978, Jay Fishman returned to the United States and for 11 years served as the music director of the Minneapolis Chamber Symphony (MCS), which he founded. Under his leadership, the MCS received local, regional and national accolades, including the Award for Excellence from the McKnight Foundation and ongoing support from the National Endowment for the Arts.
In 1989, Jay founded the Minnesota Sinfonia and took on the role of executive and artistic director. To date, he has conducted over 1,300 performances, and introduced classical music to 150,000 inner-city elementary students. In 2008, he led a symposium on use of the professional orchestra in music education for the Arts Midwest Regional Conference, and spoke on the same subject to the Association of Wisconsin Orchestras in May of 2010.
Raphael Fishman, Managing Director
Raphael Fishman joined the Minnesota Sinfonia staff in 2001. As Managing Director, he is responsible for the Minnesota Sinfonia’s day-to-day administration, including grant writing, publicity and scheduling. Ray holds a bachelor of arts degree in communications from the University of Minnesota. He has a broad musical background and was co-principal oboist with the Minneapolis Chamber Symphony, predecessor of the Minnesota Sinfonia. He also brings an extensive business and financial background to the Sinfonia, before joining the Minnesota Sinfonia’s management, he owned and operated two successful businesses in the Twin Cities. He also previously served as an independent trader on the Chicago Board of Options Exchange.
Emily Matejcek, Marketing & Development Specialist
Emily Matejcek became a member of the Minnesota Sinfonia team in 2010. She coordinates the Sinfonia’s development efforts, grants management, fund-raising, public relations and marketing efforts. As a successful entrepreneur and past marketing director, Emily brings enthusiasm and excitement to her position. Emily holds a BA from the University of Minnesota and is heavily involved in various non-profit organizations. In addition to working with the Minnesota Sinfonia, she also works as an independent marketing consultant and AutoCAD specialist.
Board of Directors
Officers
Mary Weber, Chairperson, Vice President, Human Resources, CSM Corporation
Grant Fairbairn, Vice Chairperson, Attorney, Fredrikson & Byron, P.A.
Lori Carlson Pryzbylski, Treasurer, Vice President, RBC Capital Markets, Corp.
Evelyn Rolloff, Secretary, Community Based Learning, Metropolitan State U
Directors
Jay Fishman (ex officio), Artistic & Executive Director, The Minnesota Sinfonia
Imanol Arevalo, Operational Excellence Leader, General Mills
Mira LaCous, President, Hollywood Pyrotechnics, Inc
David Haynes, Lawyer, Shareholder, Leonard, Street & Deinard
Shannon Hovey, Account Manager MovtivAction, LLC
Dorothy Jacobs, Retired Musician
Tony Mayhew, Managing Director, RBC Capital Markets, Corp.
Timothy Puffer, Consultant, Development Resources
