Hoff-Barthelson Music School Names New Executive Director

Hoff-Barthelson Music School announces the hiring of Ken Cole to the position of executive director, following the retirement of longtime executive director Joan Behrens Bergman.

Cole is a visionary leader who will be charged with shepherding the school through its next phase of growth and development while maintaining Hoff-Barthelson's commitment to excellence in music education with a focus on creativity and community.

"Ken's breadth and depth of experience building organizations of educational excellence makes him uniquely qualified to lead Hoff-Barthelson to new heights," said Warren Haber, chair of Hoff-Barthelson's Board of Trustees.

"I look forward to working with all of the members of the Hoff-Barthelson family-faculty, board, staff, students and families-to build upon the legacy of musical excellence Joan Behrens Bergman has built during her 17 years at the helm," said Cole. "Together, we can ensure that Hoff-Barthelson continues to nurture the development of students and community alike for years to come."

Cole has an extensive history of dedication to music and music education as performer, teacher, administrator, and advocate. His most recent positions have been as vice president of learning and leadership development at the League of American Orchestras, and as associate director of the National Guild for Community Arts Education, where he led leadership development, research, publishing, and grant making programs for non-profit arts education leaders and organizations throughout the country. Previously, he served as director of advancement for the Levine School of Music in Washington, D.C., executive director of the Gay and Lesbian Association of Choruses, and as a teacher of violin at Philadelphia's Settlement Music School. He has performed as a violist with the Fairfax and Baton Rouge Symphony Orchestras, among others, and is an avid choral singer.

Cole holds a Bachelor of Music from Oberlin College Conservatory and a Master of Music from Louisiana State University, both in viola performance.