Leo Besen, Chief of Artistic Development, arrived on July 4, 2005. On hearing young Mr. Besen make his first audible statements the doctor who delivered him said the new guy would surely be an opera singer. However, thus far Mr. Besen’s predilection has proven more for chamber music.  In 2008, he began his violin studies with Dorothy Roffman at the Thurnauer School of Music.  He began study in the Preparatory Divison on the School of American Ballet in October 2011, studying there with Darci Kistler and Lisa de Ribère.