Juneau Jazz & Classics announces the hiring of new Executive Director Sandy Fortier, who recently graduated from University of Oregon Eugene with a Master’s in Arts Administration, with a certificate in Nonprofit Management. Fortier also holds a Bachelor’s degree in Music Education from the University of Northern Colorado at Greeley.

She has recently relocated to Juneau from Eugene, where she also coordinated the Willamette Valley Music Festival, a two-day festival drawing more than 7,000 attendees.

Fortier, who has been involved in the performing arts her whole life, taught music at a school for at-risk and abused children. As a flute player and vocalist, she has worked with bands, orchestras, choirs, theaters and arts education organizations throughout the country.

She has also worked at Theater Aspen in Aspen, Colorado; Jasper Mountain Center and School in Jasper, Oregon and served on the board of Sparkplug Dance Educational Resources in Eugene, Oregon.

Kathy Kolkhorst Ruddy, chair of the board, said “We are so happy to bring a young professional with a master’s degree in arts management to Juneau in anticipation of our 25^th festival in 2011. We thank the community of Juneau for their support.” Fortier said that she is “very excited to join a respected and community-supported festival in such a beautiful setting. This position allows me to explore my passion for music and to represent my personal belief that every person deserves to experience outstanding live music.”

In her free time, Fortier enjoys training for triathlons, photography and playing the flute.

Juneau Jazz and Classics, founded by Artistic Director Linda Rosenthal in 1987, brings professional musicians in classics, jazz and blues to Juneau every Spring.

The 2010 festival runs from May 21 to May 30.