Westmoreland Symphony names Natalie Ann Kasievich as new executive director

Westmoreland Symphony Orchestra has named Natalie Ann Kasievich as its new executive director.

Kasievich comes to the Greensburg-based symphony from a position as an engagement leader for Thrivent Financial. She lives in the Gibsonia neighborhood that straddles Pine and Richland townships in Allegheny County.

She also is the former board president of the Edgewood Symphony, a community orchestra of volunteer musicians, and former executive director of the Portiuncula Foundation of the Sisters of St. Francis of the Neuma, both based in Pittsburgh.

“When I worked on the board of the Edgewood Symphony, I had fallen in love with arts management, so this is the perfect opportunity to combine my passions for orchestral music and management,” Kasievich said.

Kasievich, 39, grew up in Pittsburgh’s North Hills and is a graduate of Sewickley Academy. She holds a bachelor’s degree in organizational leadership from Wheeling Jesuit University and a master’s degree in public management from the H. John Heinz III College at Carnegie Mellon University.

A lifelong musician, she began studying the violin at age 4 and began playing orchestral music at 9 with Three Rivers Young Peoples Orchestra Symphonette. She continues to play locally as a freelance violinist and with the Edgewood Symphony.

During her tenure as Edgewood Symphony board president, Kasievich was integral in doubling the operating budget and overseeing growth in artistic quality, audience attendance and fund development.

“The search committee was impressed with Natalie’s musical knowledge, nonprofit leadership experience as well as her love and commitment to promoting classical music,” said Bill Friedlander, WSO board president and a member of the search committee. “We decided Natalie was the ideal choice to help the Westmoreland Symphony Orchestra at this point in our journey of providing high-quality music experiences as well as meaningful outreach and education for our community.”

Community outreach and the opportunity to collaborate with other area arts organizations were attractive parts of the job, Kasievich said.

“One reason I was attracted to the job and enjoyed the interview process was the openness of the board to continue to build on something that is already excellent and to grow it more,” she said. “I look forward to working with our wonderful musicians, sponsors and donors to continue the culture of excellence and community collaboration.

“I also look forward to meeting symphony patrons at our upcoming summer concerts at St. Clair Park and West Overton.”

Kasievich, who has relatives in Westmoreland County, said she has seen the Westmoreland Symphony perform.

“The Westmoreland Symphony is actually such a gem of an orchestra,” she said. “The musicians are of such a high caliber. The quality of the musicians and the artistic director is really amazing to have here in Westmoreland County.”

Kasievich assumed her role May 2, succeeding former executive director Endicott Reindl, who left WSO in February for a position as senior manager of individual giving with the Pittsburgh Cultural Trust.