Meet Lea Slusher, Executive Director of The Rady Shell at Jacobs Park

Lea Slusher was appointed Executive Director of The Rady Shell at Jacobs Park in January 2026, expanding her leadership role at the San Diego Symphony Orchestra Association at a moment of continued artistic growth and increasing national and international visibility for the Symphony’s outdoor waterfront venue.

Slusher previously served as Vice President for Artistic Planning and Rentals, where she played a central role in shaping the Symphony’s artistic vision, programming strategy, and artist partnerships following the opening of The Rady Shell at Jacobs Park in August 2021. During her tenure, she cultivated strong relationships with leading artists, presenting institutions, the San Diego Padres Special Events Team, promoters, and audiences, helping establish The Rady Shell at Jacobs Park as a dynamic and distinctive cultural destination.

In her new executive role, Slusher will assume expanded responsibility for programming, financial performance, commercial partnerships, fundraising, and the long-term strategic growth of The Rady Shell at Jacobs Park, while continuing to contribute to artistic planning at Jacobs Music Center, the San Diego Symphony’s indoor venue in Downtown San Diego. Her leadership will further advance the Symphony’s commitment to artistic excellence, financial sustainability, and audience engagement across both venues.

What does this appointment mean to you at this moment in The Rady Shell’s evolution, and what excites you most about stepping into this expanded role?

To be recognized for leading The Rady Shell at Jacobs Park into its next chapter means an enormous amount to me—especially having been part of the project since before the venue was built. As we enter 2026 and celebrate our sixth year, I’m more excited than ever to continue bringing world-class artists to the Shell. My focus is on fiscal sustainability and on strengthening the remarkable partnerships we’ve built, while also forging new ones, so that The Rady Shell continues to thrive as a top-tier destination for artists and audiences alike.

How do you see The Rady Shell at Jacobs Park continuing to grow artistically and in its impact—locally, nationally, and perhaps internationally—over the next several years?

The Rady Shell is a home to leading artists where content is created—it’s not just a stop on a tour. By continuing to partner with artists to develop original “chart-with-orchestra” projects, we’re creating performances that can live beyond San Diego at major summer festivals and orchestras across the country. Sometimes we are the sole creator of a project; other times we collaborate with orchestras or festivals. In every case, our goal is to have a meaningful impact on the music our audiences experience.

For artists who appear at The Rady Shell without orchestra, it’s just as important that our community has the opportunity to experience their exceptional musicianship. Across all genres, we want The Rady Shell to be a place where great artistry is celebrated and shared.

How do you approach balancing bold artistic ambition with financial sustainability and long-term strategy in leading a venue like The Rady Shell?

A deep understanding of the costs associated with a venue like The Rady Shell is essential. Strong processes and thoughtful planning allow us to pursue ambitious artistic ideas while remaining grounded in financial reality. Fundraising, sponsorships, and how we maximize the use of the venue all play a critical role in long-term sustainability.

We’re constantly balancing the aspirations of the Symphony with the practical realities of operating a high-tech, outdoor, multi-use facility. When those elements are aligned, we can support both artistic excellence and organizational strength.

What roles do collaboration and partnership—within the Symphony, with artists, and across the San Diego community—play in your leadership of The Rady Shell?

Collaboration and partnership are central to everything we do. Within the Symphony, we maintain open and honest dialogue across teams about the concerts and projects we present. Externally, strong relationships built on trust—with fellow festivals like the Hollywood Bowl, Ravinia, and Wolf Trap, and with leading orchestras engaged in similar programming—allow us to share best practices and collaborate on special projects.

We also value our long-standing relationships with agents, managers, and artists, many of whom I’ve known since my Carnegie Hall days. Our partnerships with the San Diego Padres Events Team are essential to the success of our corporate and private events, and we work closely with promoters such as Live Nation, AEG-Goldenvoice, and independent presenters to broaden the diversity of our programming.

At its heart, The Rady Shell at Jacobs Park exists to serve the San Diego community. Designed as a place for everyone—and operating as a public park for much of the year—community partnership is key to ensuring the venue remains welcoming, accessible, and vibrant.

How do you see your work at The Rady Shell complementing and strengthening the artistic mission at Jacobs Music Center?

The two venues work in tandem. The Rady Shell at Jacobs Park is a year-round venue, with peak activity in the summer months and a focus on popular programming, where the orchestra is visible and dynamic. That energy naturally carries into Jacobs Music Center,

which offers a more intimate setting for classical performances and a wide range of additional programming.

By leveraging both venues, the San Diego Symphony maintains a very strong presence across genres and seasons. This allows our mission of changing lives through music to extend beyond a single setting, making powerful musical experiences accessible throughout the city of San Diego all year long.