Melissa Ngan photo Melissa Ngan photo

Melissa Ngan


Organization: American Composers Orchestra
Title: President and CEO, American Composers Orchestra
Program Graduation: BM, ALP Certificate 2002
Musical Studies: Flute
Musical Specialties: Chamber Music, Higher Education, Large Ensemble
Non-Musical Specialties: Business Owner, Consulting, Leadership, Social Justice
Quote: “Participating in the Arts Leadership Program was a formative experience in my musical and professional life. It broadened my perspective on my purpose as an artist and gave me the leadership and practical skills develop a career in line with my own vision and values. I’m delighted to have the opportunity to support the next generation of creative leaders as a part of the MAML faculty, and am grateful to the many who did the same for me at such a critical stage of my learning.”

Bio:

Melissa Ngan is the current President and Chief Executive Officer of the American Composers Orchestra (ACO). From 2005-2021 she was the founder and CEO of Fifth House Ensemble, a Chicago-based organization. Ngan has over fifteen years of experience in programming and curation; arts administration; diversity, equity, and inclusion practices; professional development and entrepreneurship in the arts. As a consultant, Ngan has worked for The Cleveland Orchestra and San Francisco Opera. Additionally, Ngan has led long-term projects with universities and conservatories nationwide that redefine the training process for emerging artists, including DePauw University and the Cleveland Institute of Music. She currently teaches music entrepreneurship and leadership courses at DePaul University and the Eastman School of Music. Melissa Ngan’s flute performance career has included collaborations with GRAMMY-winning artists and performing at National Sawdust, MAGFest, the FORMA Festival (Moscow), Suntory Hall (Tokyo), the Kennedy Center, and Carnegie Hall. Ngan is a graduate of the Eastman School of Music and Northwestern University.