American Classical Orchestra Announces New Executive Director
By David Salazar(Photo by Tatiana Daubek)
The American Classical Orchestra has announced the appointment of John Thiessen as its new Executive Director, effective Jan. 19, 2026.
Thiessen brings more than 15 years of experience with the American Classical Orchestra as a trumpet player, alongside a career that combines performance and arts administration. Prior to joining ACO, Thiessen served as Executive Director of Gotham Early Music Scene for three seasons.
In his new role, Thiessen will oversee concert production, ACO’s Classical Music for Kids education initiative, and all marketing, communications, and development activities.
“Joining American Classical Orchestra as Executive Director comes at a wonderful moment,” said Thiessen per an official press release. “I look forward to an exciting partnership with Maestro Thomas Crawford, the musicians, Board, and staff to further ACO’s mission and to recreate, on period instruments and at the highest level of excellence, the sounds audiences of the 17th through 19th centuries would have experienced when this music was first written and heard.”
Thiessen takes over for David Larkin, who will retire after six years in the role.
The American Classical Orchestra recently presented “Morning Stars” at Alice Tully Hall on Jan. 15, 2026. The showcase featured soprano Song Hee Lee in Mozart’s “Exsultate, Jubilate.”
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