Dr. Micheal Houlahan recently met April O’Brien at the opening night of the Philadelphia Orchestra’s season, where they had the chance to reconnect and talk about her remarkable career.
April O’Brien has spent her career bringing people closer to music. As Director of Annual Giving for the Philadelphia Orchestra, she helps secure the resources that keep this world-class ensemble thriving and sharing its signature “Philadelphia Sound” with audiences around the globe.
April’s path to this work started at Millersville University, where she earned degrees in music education and German. After graduation, she took part in an internship at the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum in Washington, D.C., working alongside the museum’s musicologist. That experience showed her how music and history can work together to preserve stories and connect communities.
She went on to teach high school German, but eventually felt called back to the arts world. Moving to Philadelphia, she spent 13 years working in the nonprofit sector, focusing on fundraising and donor engagement. During that time, she completed a master’s degree in Arts Administration at Drexel University, preparing her for leadership roles in cultural organizations.
Music has remained at the center of her life. April is a classically trained singer who performed with the Philadelphia Singers Chorale, appearing alongside the Philadelphia Orchestra in works by Mahler, Verdi, and other composers. Those experiences gave her a deep understanding of what it takes for musicians to bring great art to the stage.
Today, April brings that perspective to her work behind the scenes. In her role as Director of Annual Giving, she builds relationships with donors and creates opportunities for them to connect with the Orchestra’s mission.
April’s background as both a performer and an arts leader gives her a unique way of connecting with donors and telling the Orchestra’s story. Her work helps make sure that the Philadelphia Orchestra not only continues to perform at the highest level today but also has the resources to grow and inspire future generations.