Emma Scherer joined The Santa Fe Symphony Orchestra & Chorus as Executive Director in September of 2021, stewarding The Symphony into a triumphant return to live performances with its 2021–2022 Season, amid the ongoing global pandemic. With deep ties to New Mexico, including an extensive background with the Santa Fe Opera, Emma Scherer’s business acumen and strong understanding of Santa Fe has helped steward The Symphony in its mission—continuing its legacy of musical excellence. Her innovative and results-driven leadership is driven by her deep investment in the success of classical music as an art form.

Prior to her executive role with The Santa Fe Symphony, Emma Scherer managed The Patrick G. and Shirley W. Ryan Opera Center at the Lyric Opera of Chicago where, from 2018 to the fall of 2021, she was managing operations, programs, and personnel, as well as tracking and implementing the renowned Ryan Opera Center’s $2 million annual budget. During the global pandemic, when the Ryan Opera Center was Lyric’s primary artistic resource, Scherer helped produce large-scale virtual concerts and ongoing video programming.

From May 2013 to May 2018, Scherer managed the office of former General Director, Charles MacKay, and Board Relations at the Santa Fe Opera. During Scherer’s five-year tenure at the Santa Fe Opera, she executed several strategic initiatives, collaborating closely with the General Director and Board President. Scherer’s experience managing complex programming and forming sustainable relationships across diverse cultural landscapes was key in her dual role managing the General Director’s office and overseeing special projects for the Opera’s Board of Directors.

Emma Scherer hails from Eureka, Illinois. She attended DePauw University, where she received a Bachelor of Musical Arts, Music Business (Vocal Performance) with a minor in Business Administration.