The Board of Directors of the American Harp Society, Inc. is pleased to announce the ap pointment of Kathryn McManus as its Executive Director effective March 2, 2015.

Ms. McManus has served with distinction as both executive director and as director of development for national, regional, and state wide non-profit corporations. While CEO of one of the nation's acclaimed symphony orchestras, the Florida Orchestra in Tampa, FL, Ms. McManus led a board, staff, and volunteer team of over 300 in an effort that brought the organization from the brink of bankruptcy to fiscal stability and restored public credibility. As Director of Sponsorships and Sales and Director of Development for the Sun 'n Fun Fly-In, Inc., she oversaw nearly $1.5M in trade show vendor sales, raised almost half a million in local, regional and national sponsorships, and was a leader in operational planning and implementation of the nation's second largest general aviation convention.   As Museum Director (CEO) of the Florida Air Museum, she oversaw exhibits and collections, education programs, membership and fundraising efforts and all operations and administration. Ms. McManus also served as Vice President of Development of at the Museum of Science and Industry (MOSI) in Tampa and as the Chief Development Director for The Able Trust, a state-wide granting foundation based in Tallahassee, FL.

Prior to shifting into non-profit management, Ms. McManus enjoyed a 25 year career as a professional harpist which included the principal chair of a major regional orchestra, teaching experience at the college level as well as in her private studio and a summer camp, and the development of an adult beginner harp curriculum. Ms. McManus holds a Master of Music in harp performance, summa cum laude as valedictorian of the Cleveland Institute of Music & Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH and a Bachelor of Music in harp performance, summa cum laude from the North Carolina School of the Arts, Winston-Salem, NC.

"We are delighted with having Kathryn joining the American Harp Society, Inc. as its inaugural Executive Director," stated Ann Yeung, President of the American Harp Society, Inc. "Kathryn is uniquely qualified as someone who not only has the nonprofit management skills to move the AHS forward, but also has the background as a professional harpist to inform her stewardship as our Executive Director."

"I am thrilled to be appointed as the Executive Director of the American Harp Society," stated Kathryn McManus. "To be able to combine my passion for the harp with my skills and experience as a nonprofit leader is an exceptional opportunity. I look forward to serving the members of the AHS to take the organization to new heights."

With over 3,000 members from all 50 states and 20 countries, the American Harp Society, Inc. is the largest national organization of harpists in the world. Members include leading soloists, orchestral players, commercial, jazz and popular performers, freelancers, harp therapists, college and university professors, adult amateurs, and students of all ages. Founded in 1962, its mission is to promote and foster the appreciation of the harp as a musical instrument, to encourage the composition of music for the harp and to improve the quality of performance of harpists. For more information, please visit our website at http://www.harpsociety.org.