From Stage Manager to Director: Mattea Elhard Takes Helm

Mattea Elhard, a familiar face to the Bemidji Symphony Orchestra (BSO), has been appointed as its new executive director. Elhard's tenure with the BSO spans ten years, during which she progressed from a performer to the stage manager role. She succeeds Katey Lutz, who held the executive director position since 2022. Elhard's initial involvement with the orchestra began in 2016 when she contributed to the percussion section, later becoming a regular performer before transitioning to backstage management.

Beyond her work with the BSO, Elhard is active in the local music scene. She is a vocalist in the Bemidji Chorale and a piano instructor at Headwaters Music and Arts. Her performance history includes work with the Paul Bunyan Playhouse, Minneapolis-based From Age To Age, and the Twin Ports Choral Project in Duluth. She has also served as a musical director for the Bemidji Community Theater and been involved with various local bands.

Elhard attributes her success in teaching piano to her own childhood experiences. She developed creative practice methods for her students, drawing from her own struggles with practicing as a child. Prior to her current role, Elhard gained administrative experience as an office manager in the Bemidji State University music department and with the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, including work as a wildland fire dispatcher.

The BSO is set to launch its 2026-27 season on Saturday, August 15, with a summer pops concert at the Bemidji High School Auditorium. The program will feature guest vocalist Emily Walter performing popular Broadway tunes. Ticket information is available online and at local Lueken's Village Foods stores, with various pricing tiers for adults, seniors, college students, and K-12 students.