In a landmark decision announced on September 10, 2025, the Ojai Music Festival has appointed Teddy Abrams as its next Artistic and Executive Director. The 38-year-old conductor, composer, and visionary will formally assume the dual leadership role on September 1, 2026, becoming the youngest individual in the festival’s history to oversee both the artistic and executive dimensions of the storied Southern California institution.
Abrams is best known for his transformative work with the Louisville Orchestra, where he has served as Music Director since 2014. His tenure in Louisville has been defined by bold programming, community engagement, and a clear commitment to reshaping how orchestral music interacts with the public. Known for his adventurous spirit, Abrams has commissioned and premiered numerous new works, launched composer residencies, led statewide tours, and collaborated with a range of artists from across genres, all while expanding the orchestra’s reach beyond traditional concert halls.
His appointment to Ojai represents both continuity and change. The festival, founded in 1947, has long been a beacon for forward-thinking musical performance. With a legacy that includes past directors such as Pierre Boulez, Aaron Copland, Esa-Pekka Salonen, and Patricia Kopatchinskaja, Ojai has established itself as a premiere destination for contemporary classical experimentation and cross-genre innovation. It is a place where performers, composers, and audiences come together not just to hear music, but to rethink what music can be.
Abrams steps into this role at a time of transformation not just for Ojai, but for the broader classical music world. Institutions everywhere are reimagining their missions in response to changing demographics, technological shifts, and the ongoing demand for greater inclusivity and accessibility. As arts funding becomes more volatile and audience expectations more dynamic, the need for leaders who can connect tradition with innovation is more pressing than ever. Abrams’s proven ability to inspire broad engagement—while upholding high artistic standards—positions him as a timely and strategic choice.
In interviews following the announcement, Abrams spoke openly about the personal significance of the role. He described Ojai as “one of the most meaningful artistic environments in the world,” and said that leading the festival has been a long-held dream. He emphasized a vision that blends artistic daring with deep-rooted community connection, suggesting that his approach will honor the festival’s legacy while exploring new territory in performance, education, and cross-disciplinary work.
Observers expect Abrams to bring a more integrated model of programming that merges live performance with educational initiatives, visual art, interactive technology, and civic engagement. Given his background not only as a conductor but as a pianist and composer, Abrams may also expand the festival’s scope to include newly commissioned works that reflect pressing social and philosophical themes. His passion for making music a living, breathing part of community life suggests that Ojai’s impact will extend well beyond its annual festival dates.
The dual nature of Abrams’s role—as both Artistic and Executive Director—is especially noteworthy. It gives him greater influence over both the creative direction and operational structure of the festival, allowing for more seamless integration of vision and execution. While this also presents challenges in balancing artistic ambition with financial and logistical realities, Abrams’s experience managing complex initiatives in Louisville suggests he is well equipped for the task.
The Ojai Valley community, known for its strong cultural identity and engagement with the arts, is already expressing excitement over the appointment. Festival organizers say they are confident that Abrams’s leadership will invigorate existing audiences while drawing in new ones. Plans are already in motion for expanded educational programming, partnerships with local schools and organizations, and new artist residencies aimed at nurturing the next generation of musical thinkers.
As Ojai looks toward its 80th anniversary in the coming years, Abrams’s appointment signals not just a new chapter, but a reimagining of what the festival can be in the 21st century. Under his leadership, the Ojai Music Festival is poised to remain a laboratory of sound, space, and storytelling—a place where music is not only heard, but felt, questioned, and transformed.
