David Hyde Pierce Joins Orchestra of St. Luke's Board of Directors

Emmy and Tony Award-winning actor and director David Hyde Pierce has been named to Orchestra of St. Luke's (OSL) Board of Directors. The appointment was made at an OSL Board meeting in early October.

Pierce is a lifelong classical music lover and a musician himself; he studied organ and piano performance at Yale University before switching his focus to English and theater studies. He has served as Master of Ceremonies at OSL's Gift of Music gala for the past two years and will again host the event in spring 2015. Since being introduced to OSL in 2011 through his friend Charles Hamlen, OSL's Vice President for Artists and Programs, Pierce has been a regular attendee of Orchestra of St. Luke's and St. Luke's Chamber Ensemble concerts at Carnegie Hall and The Morgan Library & Museum, as well as rehearsals at OSL's home, The DiMenna Center for Classical Music.

"I love everything about OSL-the musicians' artistry and spirit, Principal Conductor Pablo Heras-Casado's balance of refinement and fire, and the ambitious programming," says Pierce. "I'm proud and happy to be a small part of this adventurous, flourishing, inspiring musical family."

Perhaps best known for his role as Dr. Niles Crane on TV's iconic comedy Frasier, Pierce earned four Emmy Awards among many other accolades. His film credits include Little Man Tate, Sleepless in Seattle, Nixon, Down With Love, and the Sundance Film Festival Selection The Perfect Host. In winter 2014, Pierce directed the Tony Award-winning play Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike at the Mark Taper Forum; he had previously originated the role of "Vanya" in the play and earned a Tony nomination for his performance. Pierce is currently guest-starring as an influential legal analyst on CBS's award-winning drama The Good Wife. In the spring, he makes his Broadway directorial debut with It Shoulda Been You.

"Orchestra of St. Luke's is thrilled to see our relationship with David grow as we welcome him as the newest member of our Board," notes OSL President & Executive Director Katy Clark. "Already, David has been a wonderful friend to the orchestra-getting to know our musicians by coming to rehearsals, hosting our annual gala, and attending our recent benefit for The DiMenna Center. His interest in the organization at every level is extraordinary, and his humor, love of music, and generosity will continue to be great asset to OSL as he steps into this role."

Pierce joins a dedicated and engaged Board of 26 members, who together are involved in all aspects of the organization, from artistic guidance to Community & Education programs. A dozen Board members have served for more than 10 years.

DIRECTOR OF ARTISTIC ADMINISTRATION
OSL is pleased to announce the appointment of Alan Jay (A.J.) Benson to the position of Director of Artistic Administration. Benson comes to OSL from the Australian Chamber Orchestra in Sydney, where he has served as artistic administrator since 2012. He previously held positions at Carnegie Hall, the Orpheus Chamber Orchestra, and The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts. Benson will join OSL in December, and will be responsible for planning the artistic content of OSL's orchestral, chamber music, and educational programs.

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