Gary Ginstling has a 20-year career as an orchestra leader, with a strong track record of increasing ticket sales and fundraising, developing innovative programming, and building community ties. He became the New York Philharmonic’s President and CEO on July 1, 2023, after joining the Orchestra as Executive Director in November 2022, when his activities included working with NY Phil leadership to engage Gustavo Dudamel as the Orchestra’s next Music and Artistic Director, to begin in 2026.
Previously, Ginstling served as executive director of the National Symphony Orchestra (NSO) in Washington, DC, from 2017 to 2022. During his time at the NSO, Ginstling launched Gianandrea Noseda’s tenure as music director — ushering in a new era of enthusiasm, energetic performances, and critical acclaim — and he oversaw a 21 percent increase in ticket sales and raised a special $11+ million fund to support Noseda’s work with the orchestra. The NSO’s advances under his leadership led to their nomination as 2023 Orchestra of the Year by Gramophone Magazine.
Before the NSO, Ginstling served as CEO of the Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra (ISO) for five years, during which time sales grew by more than 80 percent, attendance increased each season, and contributed income grew by 45 percent. His prior orchestra leadership positions included general manager of The Cleveland Orchestra; director of communications and external affairs for the San Francisco Symphony; and executive director of the Berkeley Symphony for three years.
Prior to launching his career in orchestra management, Gary Ginstling spent three years in product marketing at Sun Microsystems. He holds a bachelor of arts degree from Yale University, a master of music degree from The Juilliard School, and a master of business administration from The Anderson School at UCLA. Ginstling serves on the board of the League of American Orchestras; previously served on the boards of the Greater Indianapolis Progress Committee and The Columbia Club; and is an alumnus of the National Arts Strategies CEO program and a member of the Leadership Greater Washington Signature Program Class of 2021.