Catherine French

Catherine French is founder and principal of the Catherine French Group, which assists not-for-profit arts and music organizations as they recruit executive and artistic leadership.  Over the past 20 years, she has worked with more than 300 performing arts organizations nationwide.

From 1980 through 1996, Cathy was chief executive officer of the League of American Orchestras, the national service organization for orchestras.  She was introduced to The Washington Chorus by singers on her management team and joined the Board of Trustees in 1997.  She served as TWC’s Chairman from 2005 to 2011.

As a student, Cathy was business manager of the Manhattanville College Glee Club and a member of the alto section.  She began her professional career with Leopold Stokowski’s American Symphony Orchestra in New York City and was later appointed executive director.  She managed the New Jersey Symphony Orchestra before moving to Washington join the staff at the League.

Cathy is a founding Board member of The New York Pops; a member of the President’s Advisory Committee at Manhattanville College; and Director Emerita of the League of American Orchestras.  She previously served as Vice Chairman of the Board of Overseers at the Curtis Institute of Music; Board member of OPERA America; and President of the National Music Council.