Kari Kistler

WORK HISTORY

EDUCATION

ABOUT KARI KISTLER

I fell in love with the oboe at age 14 and never looked back! But after many years of performing I knew that I had more to offer the world than what I could give as a working musician. The best path forward was an MBA, and so I applied, was accepted, and matriculated to the top-ranked program at the Darla Moore School at the University of South Carolina. I am a driven, passionate International MBA candidate in this STEM-based program, where I am focused on Strategy and Sustainability. I enjoy fusing the business acumen I am learning in the MBA program with my own passion for Classical Music in order to solve the biggest issues Arts organizations face today. I performed as a professional orchestral musician for 15 years, working at an elite level as a tenured musician with the Charleston Symphony; and as a Fellow with the New World Symphony in Miami Beach, FL prior to that. I was an audition finalist and substitute musician with the NYPhilharmonic. I have years of experience as a musician in the Orchestral world. But I also sat on every committee possible during my tenure in Charleston, and I learned as much as I could about the Management side of the organization. As head of Orchestra Committee for 5 years I interacted greatly with both Management and the Board. I have a deep and intimate knowledge of how orchestras run, which I look forward to bringing to my next job, along with the following skills: Strong leadership aptitude Proven analytical skills Inventive problem-solving manner Adept public speaking ease Versatile interpersonal skills Unique critical thinking style Proven mentoring ability Capable patron-relationship builder Proactive team-player I finished my Doctor of Music degree in 2010 at The Florida State University, and have been teaching music lessons focused on oboe performance since. My private students have had great success as candidates for national summer music programs, in all-state auditions, and for collegiate music programs. I have mentored many of these students beyond their time with me, often past their collegiate years. It makes me proud and happy to have continued relationships with many of them. For fun I love to perform on the aerial silks, a hobby that I started in 2013. I love the synthesis of creativity and strength it takes to perform on circus apparatuses. I have a lot of energy and keep my body moving through swimming, biking, and weight lifting, in addition to the circus arts.