Three Rivers Young Peoples Orchestras’ Executive Director Selected for Prestigious National Leadership Program
Photo courtesy of Steve Groves Photo
PITTSBURGH, PA (May 1, 2026) — Three Rivers Young Peoples Orchestras (TRYPO) is proud to announce that its Executive Director, Lindsey Nova, has been selected as one of six participants nationwide in the prestigious Anne Parsons Leadership Program, administered by the League of American Orchestras. This honor places TRYPO and the Pittsburgh region in the national spotlight among orchestra and youth music education leaders.
Nova’s selection represents an important milestone not only for TRYPO, but for the youth orchestra field as a whole. Nova is the first leader of a youth orchestra selected for the program, and her participation reflects the increasing national recognition of youth orchestras as essential partners in building the future of orchestral music.
Currently serving more than 350 young musicians from 80 schools across eight counties, TRYPO is one of the region’s leading youth music organizations, expanding access to high-quality orchestral training and performance opportunities for students across the Pittsburgh region. Nova’s selection reflects the organization’s continued momentum and the growing national recognition of youth orchestras as vital contributors to the future of the arts.
“Lindsey Nova has been a tremendous force for positive change at TRYPO and in Pittsburgh,” said Monica Hertzman, Chair of the TRYPO Board of Directors. “When Nova became Executive Director in 2011, the organization served fewer than 100 students through two ensembles. Today, TRYPO includes seven programs supported by a professional staff and more than 30 teaching artists, with an annual operating budget averaging $1 million.”
Launched in 2023, the Anne Parsons Leadership Program is a national initiative designed to prepare the next generation of executive leadership in the orchestra field through year-long mentorship, leadership training, and collaboration. Participants engage with senior leaders from across the country, build national networks, and develop strategies that strengthen their organizations and communities.
Nova will participate in the program from June 2026 through June 2027, joining fellow leaders from orchestras across the country for leadership training sessions, mentorship opportunities, and collaborative forums.
“I am honored to be selected for the Anne Parsons Leadership Program and excited to learn alongside leaders navigating the most complex challenges facing orchestras today,” said Nova. “It’s especially meaningful to see Pittsburgh and the youth orchestra field represented in a national leadership program like this. I look forward to exploring new ideas around sustainability and audience growth and applying those insights to strengthen and expand the work we do at TRYPO and across the region.”
Her selection highlights the strength of TRYPO’s leadership and its growing role in shaping the national youth orchestra landscape. In addition to leading TRYPO, Nova currently serves as Chair of the Youth Orchestra Division of the League of American Orchestras and holds an ex-officio position on the League’s Board of Directors, ensuring that youth orchestra perspectives are represented in national conversations about the future of orchestras.
As part of its mission to expand access to music education, TRYPO has awarded more than $31,000 in scholarships this year, along with approximately $5,000 in Musicians Assistance Fund support for private lessons, ensuring that financial barriers do not prevent students from participating.
TRYPO’s sustained growth has expanded access to music education for families throughout the Pittsburgh region, creating pathways for artistic development, leadership, and lifelong engagement in the arts. With hundreds of alumni active as musicians, educators, and arts supporters, TRYPO’s impact continues to shape the cultural life of Pittsburgh and beyond.
Under Nova’s leadership, TRYPO has expanded its national and international presence through performance tours, major milestone celebrations including its 40th and 50th anniversaries, and strengthened regional collaborations that connect young musicians to new opportunities.
Nova’s leadership has also strengthened TRYPO’s partnerships across the region. Collaborative initiatives such as UniSound and the Youth Chamber Connection with the Pittsburgh Youth Symphony Orchestra have broadened access to music education and strengthened pathways for student success.
Her national leadership work includes presentations and published research focused on the future of youth engagement in orchestras, contributing to broader discussions about sustaining the next generation of musicians and audiences.
Through participation in the Anne Parsons Leadership Program, Nova will bring new insights, national connections, and leadership strategies back to Three Rivers Young Peoples Orchestras, strengthening its ability to expand programming, deepen partnerships, and serve even more young musicians in the years ahead. Her selection underscores Pittsburgh’s growing visibility as a hub for youth music education and highlights the role that local organizations like TRYPO play in shaping the future of the arts nationwide.