Nittany Valley Symphony Names New Executive Director

The board of the Nittany Valley Symphony has named a new executive director for the community orchestra.

Gabriel Herrera succeeds Roberta Strebel, who is retiring after 17 years in the role.

“We are excited to begin working with Gabriel Herrera,” board President Lisa Schroeder said. "People in this area may know him as an outstanding trombonist, but his experience goes well beyond performing. From the moment the search committee saw his resume, we saw the potential for him to partner with Music Director Timothy Farrand to take our community symphony orchestra to the next level, and reach new audiences.”

Herrera, who holds a degree in philosophy and jazz studies from Columbia University, has produced dozens of concerts as founder and bandleader professional music ensembles in New York and Pennsylvania, ranging in size from from a trombone chamber ensemble to a jazz big band. He has also had an active performing career with groups including the Pennsylvania Chamber Orchestra, Buzz Jones Big Band and Happy Valley Jazz Octet.

He currently is pursuing a master's degree in trombone performance at Penn State, where he also is a graduate assistant for the trombone and jazz departments.

“I am absolutely thrilled to be joining the team at NVS and am looking forward to bringing classical music to our Happy Valley community,” Herrera said. “This pivotal year as the symphony continues to re-establish itself in a post-pandemic landscape provides an opportunity to set a new status quo: as a community orchestra made up of both professionals and amateur musicians, we have the opportunity not only to entertain but also to connect, challenge and uplift."

In addition to his expertise in concert production, Herrera brings to the position experience fundraising, promotion, business corporate finance and board relations from work with major investment and consulting firms.

He will work closely with Music Director and Conductor Timothy Farrand in the planning and preparation of each concert season.

"I am excited to work closely with Gabriel as he steps into his new role with NVS,” Farrand said. “He possesses a rare combination of artistic and administrative talent, and his onstage experience gives him a unique understanding of the complex needs of an arts organization. I’ve always enjoyed our collaborations, and I’m confident that the qualities that make Gabriel an exceptional performer will translate seamlessly into his work behind the scenes as he supports NVS’s operations moving forward."

Herrera will be officially introduced at Nittany Valley Symphony's first concert of the upcoming season , which is scheduled for 3 p.m. on Sept. 8 at Bellefonte Area High School.

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