The Minnesota Orchestra has named Brent Assink, former executive director of the San Francisco Symphony and prior president of the St. Paul Chamber Orchestra, to serve as its interim president and CEO.

Assink will take over from Michelle Miller Burns, who has led the orchestra since 2018 and departs in mid-September for the top administrative role with the Dallas Symphony. Based in Pasadena, Assink will split his time between Minnesota and California and will begin his new role on Sept. 9.

Brent Assink (Courtesy of the Minnesota Orchestra)

“Brent Assink is one of the great leaders of the orchestral industry,” said Minnesota Orchestra board chair Nancy Lindahl in a news release. “Having such a respected and experienced hand on the wheel during this time of transition will serve the Minnesota Orchestra well.”

A native of Washington, Brent Assink served as executive director of the San Francisco Symphony for 18 years, a time period during which the symphony significantly grew its artistic profile and community engagement. Leading the organization through the 2008 recession, he oversaw the largest endowment fundraising campaign in the symphony’s history.

Assink also spent five years in the late ’90s as president of the St. Paul Chamber Orchestra, during which time he restored the orchestra to stability after a fiscal crisis, launched new education and community programs and engaged Bobby McFerrin as creative chair.

“Two strands have been consistently present throughout my career: a deep appreciation for orchestras and particular gratitude for the Twin Cities community where I was shaped and mentored,” Assink said. “So, it is a joy to return to Minnesota and serve this outstanding orchestra at a pivotal time in its history.”

Lindahl has launched a search for a permanent successor to Burns, whose final day on the job is Sept. 13.

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