03 Jan Les Délices welcomes new Executive Director: Laura Potter
Cleveland-based early music ensemble Les Délices is thrilled to welcome Laura Potter as its new Executive Director, effective January 1st, 2023. In the 14 years since its founding by Artistic Director Debra Nagy, Les Délices has developed a national reputation as a leader in the field of early music, known for adventurous programming and innovative outreach initiatives.
Potter will work side-by-side with Nagy to advance Les Délices’ mission through the development of new partnerships that engage diverse audiences in enriching arts experiences that transcend boundaries of culture and tradition. Says Artistic Director Debra Nagy, “I’m excited to team up with Laura, who is joining Les Délices at a pivotal moment as we offer our first full season of live performances since the pandemic and look forward to launching a variety of special programs and initiatives in anticipation of our 15th Anniversary in 2023-24. I have no doubt that all of Les Délices’ stakeholders – from our community members and audiences, to our Board, to myriad artists – will benefit from Laura’s creative and empathetic leadership.”
Potter brings a wealth of experience as an arts administrator, performer, and educator. She comes to Les Délices from CityMusic Cleveland, where she was the Development Director for over four years. She has also held development and operations roles with the Indiana Music Education Association and the Youth Symphony of Kansas City. Potter will lead efforts to increase revenues that will enable additional innovation and artistic experimentation as Les Délices looks to enact an ambitious long-term growth strategy. Nagy adds, “Laura’s passion for organizations whose missions strongly intersect with the community resonates with Les Délices’ charge to strengthen relationships with our local community as well as foster equity and inclusion through engagement of diverse artists, free ticketing programs, and the creation of dynamic, multi-platform outreach and educational programming.”
Says Potter, “I have been keeping tabs on Les Délices over the past few years and I have so much respect for the innovation and creativity of programming and the care that is taken to build context around early music and period instruments. I’m very excited to join a team that prioritizes making historical music relevant to Cleveland communities.”
About Laura Potter
Laura Potter has extensive experience as an arts administrator, performer and educator. She was the Development Director at CityMusic Cleveland Chamber Orchestra for over four years and has held development and operations roles with the Indiana Music Education Association and the Youth Symphony of Kansas City. Additionally, she has served on the music faculties of Indiana State University and Dickinson State University. An avid tubist, Laura’s orchestral performance credits include CityMusic Cleveland, the Billings Symphony and the Lafayette Symphony. Laura holds a Bachelors of Music from the University of Southern California Thornton School of Music, a Masters in Music from the University of Memphis Scheidt School of Music and a Doctor of Musical Arts from the University of Kansas. During her graduate studies she earned a Fulbright Research Fellowship and studied Nordic solo and chamber repertoire and pedagogy for brass at the Royal Danish Academy of Music in Copenhagen, Denmark.
Laura is committed to making art music accessible and relatable through creative programming representing diverse voices, building community partnerships to connect with new audiences, and providing intergenerational programming that enhances lifelong involvement with the arts. She supports social justice organizations in Cleveland as a board member of Greater Cleveland Community Shares. Laura lives in Cleveland Heights with her husband and two young children and enjoys outdoor activities in all seasons, reading fiction, and baking sourdough bread.