Daniel Levenstein, Chamber Music San Francisco’s founder, to Step Down After the 2024 Season
Daniel Levenstein, the founding Executive Director of Chamber Music San Francisco, has announced that he will be stepping down after the 2024 season. “Presenting these concerts has been a privilege, a joy and some serious fun” says Levenstein, “And now it’s time for me to step aside and let someone else have their turn.”
Previous to CMSF Levenstein had worked at many key arts organizations in the area, such as ACT, Beach Blanket Babylon, and Smuin Ballet (as its founding executive director). In 2004 he founded CMSF, which at first gave concerts only in San Francisco, then added Walnut Creek in 2007 and Palo Alto in 2009.
Today CMSF is recognized as one of the leading presenters of classical music in Northern California, unique in the United States in that it brings top-tier artists to three distinct communities. Its seasons always reflect a blend of established performers and new faces, and having a three-city engagement is especially attractive to European artists who are new to the US, as it provides an “anchor” around which they can build a debut tour.
Dorothy McDonald, Board Chair of CMSF, says “Daniel has been remarkably effective in establishing CMSF as a very successful arts organization, and his outstanding artistic direction will be difficult to replace. Although we will miss his leadership, his departure will also be an opportunity for us to refresh and strengthen our mission. Fortunately, he is giving us ample time to identify his successor.”
A national search for a successor will commence in the coming months. Meanwhile, per Levenstein, “Looking back, I am proud of the legacy we have created, and immensely gratified by the enthusiastic response from our audiences, which is clear evidence that we have brought something meaningful to their lives. Looking forward, the 2024 season will be terrific and 2025 promises to be spectacular, so the incoming Executive Director will have the benefit of a very strong start”.