Pennsylvania Chamber Orchestra Appoints New Executive Director

The Pennsylvania Chamber Orchestra has named Caitlin Martinkus as its next executive director, the organization announced this week.

She will succeed Trevor Thompson, who helped guide the State College-based all-professional orchestra “through a vibrant chapter of artistic growth and community connection,” as executive director since February 2024, according to a news release. Thompson is leaving to continue his arts administration career in Chapel Hill, North Carolina.

Martinkus brings “an exceptional blend of artistic insight, academic rigor and visionary leadership to the role,” PCO wrote. A music theorist, educator, pianist and French hornist, she currently serves as a music theory professor at the Cleveland Institute of Music and will relocate to State College this summer to join the School of Music faculty at Penn State.

She earned a Ph.D. in music theory from the University of Toronto, a master’s degree in music theory pedagogy and a bachelor of music degree in performance and music theory from the Eastman School of Music.

Martinkus has held faculty positions at institutions including the Cleveland Institute of Music, Virginia Tech, the University of Notre Dame and Georgia State University, and her scholarship has been published in top academic journals in the field of music theory.

As executive director of PCO, Martinkus will work with Music Director Gerardo Edelstein to shape future seasons, build strategic partnerships and expand the orchestra’s community impact. She will oversee operations, manage the organization’s budget, lead development efforts and guide the orchestra’s public presence.

“I am thrilled to welcome Caitlin as our new executive director”, Edelstein said in a statement. “Her energy, experience and love for the arts are a perfect match for our team. I am really looking forward to working together and seeing all the great things we will accomplish side by side.”