Today we’d like to introduce you to Stephanie Weaver Yankee.
Hi Stephanie, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
Absolutely! I’d be happy to share my journey.
I’m originally from Canada, and my path started with classical piano. I trained as a professional pianist from a young age, and that early foundation instilled in me not only a love of music, but a deep appreciation for the discipline and joy that come with artistic expression. Over time, I discovered that my passion extended beyond performance—I was equally drawn to teaching, leading, and finding ways to connect more people to the arts.
That led me into a career that’s blended performance, education, and arts administration. I spent over a decade at the Ann Arbor School for the Performing Arts, first as Dean of Music and later as President and Executive Director. It was there that I really developed my passion for nurturing creative communities and supporting the next generation of artists.
I then moved to Cape Cod to lead the Cape Conservatory, where I guided the organization through the completion of a successful merger with the Cape Symphony. That experience taught me the value of strategic partnerships and the power of aligning missions to create a stronger future for the arts.
In 2019, I relocated to San Diego and currently serve as Executive Director of the La Jolla Symphony & Chorus. It’s a role that allows me to bring together artistic vision and community engagement in a very meaningful way. I also served as President of the Choral Consortium of San Diego, helping to support and strengthen the region’s vibrant choral scene.
Throughout it all, my mission has remained the same: to ensure that the arts continue to inspire, connect, and enrich people’s lives—on stage and far beyond.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
The road has definitely had its share of twists and potholes—but every bump has taught me something valuable.
Early on, shifting from “Stephanie‑the‑pianist” to “Stephanie‑the‑administrator” meant re‑tooling my skills almost overnight. I went from counting beats to balancing budgets, and there were times I felt I was learning a new concerto every week—finance, HR, marketing—often on the fly. Those steep learning curves humbled me, but they also showed me the power of resilience and personal reinvention.
A few big inflection points stand out:
Guiding the completion of a merger on Cape Cod. Uniting the Cape Conservatory with the Cape Symphony was exciting, but aligning two distinct cultures, boards, and budgets wasn’t always harmonious. Transparent communication and a clear “why” helped us turn potential discord into a stronger, single mission.
Navigating the pandemic. Like everyone in the performing‑arts world, we faced shuttered halls and vanishing revenue streams almost overnight.
Relocating to San Diego in 2019. Starting fresh on the opposite coast meant rebuilding my professional network from scratch just months before COVID‑19 hit. It reinforced the importance of collaboration; colleagues across the city opened doors, and together we created joint projects that none of us could have pulled off alone.
Funding gaps, staffing transitions, even the occasional crisis of confidence – these challenges are real. But each one has sharpened my resilience and clarified my purpose: to keep the arts accessible, sustainable, and inspiring. Looking back, the road hasn’t always been smooth, yet the rough patches have often paved the way for the most meaningful progress.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
Absolutely! As Executive Director of the La Jolla Symphony & Chorus, I work at the intersection of music, community, and purpose. Our ensemble is a unique blend of professional and volunteer musicians—people united by a deep love of music and a commitment to making it accessible to all. I oversee everything from fundraising and strategic planning to partnerships and program development – but at the heart of it, my job is to help the music happen and ensure it resonates in meaningful ways with our community.
Alongside my administrative work, I remain active as both a teacher and performer. I still collaborate with fellow musicians and occasionally perform, which helps keep me personally connected to the art form. Teaching remains especially meaningful – it’s a chance to support and encourage artistic expression in students of all ages, and it reminds me why this work matters so much.
Over time, I’ve developed a knack for connecting the dots – between vision and logistics, artists and audiences, tradition and innovation. I try to bring a mix of creativity and practicality to everything I do, and I enjoy both the big-picture planning and the small details that bring projects to life.
I’m especially proud of how we’ve expanded the reach of La Jolla Symphony & Chorus in recent years—through youth programs, partnerships with local composers, and performances that reflect a wide range of voices and perspectives. We’re constantly working to keep classical music both timeless and relevant.
I think that what is unique about me is that I truly live in both the artistic and administrative worlds. With a background as a professional pianist and teacher, I am sensitive to the needs of musicians, but I also find great purpose in helping arts organizations thrive. For me, the arts aren’t something to preserve in the past—they’re something to grow and share, right here in the present.
What are your plans for the future?
Looking ahead, I’m excited about deepening our impact both on and off the stage. One of my main goals is to continue expanding our reach in the community – making sure more people know about the incredible music being made here, and that they all feel truly welcome and included.
We’re also focused on building a more sustainable infrastructure for the orchestra and chorus. That means everything from long-term financial planning to strengthening internal systems so the organization can thrive well into the future.
Another area I’m passionate about is education and community engagement. We’ve started some meaningful programs, and I’d love to grow that work – especially opportunities that bring music into schools, senior communities, and public spaces.
Finally, I’m always looking for more effective and creative partnerships. Collaborating with other arts organizations, educators, and civic groups helps us amplify our mission and reach audiences we might not reach on our own.
In short, I’m keenly focused on building something lasting – an organization that’s artistically bold, deeply rooted in the community, and ready for whatever comes next.
Pricing:
- Early Bird Subscriptions Available Now – as low as $95 for Students
- Single ticket pricing available during the season; ranging from $5 – $45
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.ljsc.org
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lajollasymphony/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LaJollaSymphony
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/lajollasymphonychorus/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@lajollasymphonychorus
Image Credits
Jerome Karter
Robbie Bui
Milan Kovacevic
