By Reagan Hunter | Reporter
For St. Louis senior Ava Janes, music has always been about more than what happens onstage.
Janes, a violin performance major with a secondary major in film and digital media studies and a minor in business administration, has spent much of her life performing. Over time, however, she became just as interested in what happens behind the scenes, from planning performances to connecting arts organizations with their communities.
That interest led Janes to the League of American Orchestras’ Artistic Administration Intensive, a four-day professional development program that brings together 20 participants from the orchestra field. Janes is the youngest person selected and the only undergraduate in the group.
“I’m incredibly surprised and so excited,” Janes said.
She found out she had been selected after waking up to an email with “CONGRATULATIONS” in the subject line. Although she knew she could be a potential candidate, she said she did not expect to be selected.
This intensive will take Janes to New York City, where participants will learn about artistic planning, budgeting, programming, community engagement and other areas of orchestra administration.
For Janes, the opportunity is about more than adding another accomplishment to her resume.
“The bigger thing that I’m really excited about is being able to use those skills to help out our local music community,” Janes said.
That goal reflects the path she has taken at Baylor. Janes began playing violin when she was about 5 years old. Her mother was not a musician, but loved theater and music and encouraged her interest in the arts.
As Janes became involved in ensembles and choirs, music became a major part of her life. Still, she said she never pictured herself becoming a professional performer. Instead, she became interested in the work beyond the stage, particularly community engagement and the way arts organizations connect with audiences.
“Arts management was a really great opportunity to be at the center point of community engagement,” Janes said.
Her work with the Waco Symphony has allowed her to explore that interest firsthand.
Carolyn Bess, executive director of the Waco Symphony, has worked with Janes for two years. Janes initially reached out looking for an internship before taking on more responsibilities within the organization.
She now works at least 15 hours a week with the symphony as an artistic administrator and concert operations and stage manager.
“Ava is eager to learn and grow her skills and knowledge of all facets of how the symphony works,” Bess said.
During a concert week, Janes might attend classes in the morning, work in the symphony office during the afternoon and spend the evening helping run rehearsals and preparing the stage. Her responsibilities have included artistic administration, concert operations, production and media projects. Bess said Janes has also gained experience with fundraising, marketing and organizational development.
“She is not afraid to try her hand at any project and is open to feedback,” Bess said.
Janes has also created opportunities for other Baylor students to learn about the professional orchestra world. She founded the Waco Symphony Orchestra Student Ambassadors, an organization that connects Baylor students with service and professional development opportunities in areas such as arts administration, audience development and concert operations.
Her experience extends beyond Waco. During summer 2026, Janes worked as an orchestra stage manager at the Aspen Music Festival and School, gaining additional experience in concert production.
Janes’ studies at Baylor have also played a role in preparing her for work in arts administration. In addition to studying violin performance, her classes in film and digital media studies and business administration have given her skills she can use outside the classroom. She said her film courses have been especially useful in stage management, while her business classes have helped her better understand audiences and how people respond to new ideas.
For students who may be interested in arts administration, Janes said there is no single academic path into the field.
“There isn’t like an educational requirement,” Janes said. “So focus on the classes that you love.”
She also encourages students to research careers they are interested in and ask questions about how arts organizations operate.
Janes said one person who helped shape her interest was her high school orchestra director, Dr. Joe Nardolillo, who encouraged her to think of orchestras as organizations capable of adapting and innovating. That perspective has stayed with her as she has developed interests in cultural policy, community engagement and nonprofit arts organizations.
After the intensive, Janes hopes to share what she learns with other students, possibly through a professional development lecture.
“I don’t want it to be limited to those who are selected,” Janes said.
Bess said the opportunity will help Janes continue building a career in the field.
“The LAO Artistic Administration Intensive will broaden her awareness about best practices in our field and connect her with leaders in other orchestras nationally,” Bess said.
