Tuesday Musical has named Austin Ferguson as its next executive director.
Ferguson, the Akron organization’s director of artistic operations and educational engagement since 2021, will step into the leadership role when current executive director Cynthia Snider retires in June.
Snider, who joined Tuesday Musical in 2015 and has served as executive director since 2019, shared her retirement plans with Tuesday Musical’s board this past fall and strongly advocated for Ferguson to succeed her.
“It’s the right time for me to step down from this organization that I admire and love,” said Snider. “Tuesday Musical is in a great position of energy and growth, achieved by our small-yet-mighty staff along with wonderfully dedicated board, members, and supporters. I’m confident that our positive momentum will continue.”
She adds that her husband, Larry Snider, retired in 2025 after 48 years as The University of Akron’s percussion professor and founder of the UA Steel Drum Band and they are looking forward to spending more time together.
Ferguson previously worked for the Virginia Arts Festival as assistant director of the festival’s Rhythm Project, which serves area students through in-school music programming. He also served as Operations Manager for Virginia International PANFest, one of the largest competitions for elementary through university steel bands in the United States.
He holds a bachelor’s degree in music performance from The University of Akron and is a December 2025 graduate of Case Western Reserve University’s Mandel School of Applied Social Sciences, earning a master’s degree in nonprofit organization management. He is a board member for IATSE Local 48’s Health and Pension Trust Fund and Firestone Community Learning Center’s Academy Advisory Council and is a member of Torchbearers class of 2026.
"We consider ourselves so fortunate to have had the benefit of Cyndee Snider's incredible talent, enthusiasm and dedication for the past 10 years,” noted Claire Purdy, president of Tuesday Musical’s Board of Directors. “And fortunate, yet again, to have an excellent candidate for her successor already on our staff. Austin Ferguson's education and wealth of experience with Tuesday Musical make him ideal for the position. We are excited for Tuesday Musical's next chapter!"
Founded in 1887 and an Akron aex[enchor arts organization, Tuesday Musical presents concerts in Akron by world-acclaimed classical and jazz musicians as well as education and community engagement programs throughout northeast Ohio. It also presents an annual scholarship competition for Ohio music majors and monthly music programs for its members.
“Tuesday Musical served a large role in my formative years studying at The University of Akron, providing numerous opportunities to experience performances and masterclasses by world-class artists,” said Ferguson.
“I’m honored to be able to lead this historic organization as we continue to connect audiences to world-class musicians on stages and throughout our region,” said Ferguson.
Previous executive directors for Tuesday Musial include Barbara Feld, who succeeded longtime concert manager Lola Rothmann in 1989 and served until retiring in 2013, and Jarrod Hartzler, who succeeded Feld and served until 2019.
Tuesday Musical’s staff also includes Karla Jenkins, director of finance and audience services, who joined the organization in 2013. Marketing consultant Jim Sector joined in 2019. A search to fill Ferguson’s current roles will begin this spring.
More about Tuesday Musical is at www.tuesdaymusical.org.
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