Robert Besen, Director, founded BesenArts LLC in 1999 after serving two seasons a Managing Director of the Riverside Symphony. Prior to that, he was Associate Director of Concert Artists Guild, where he served on the staff since completing his Bachelor’s degree in music at Harvard College in 1983. Mr. Besen created and implemented Concert Artists Guild’s artist management program, which continues to launch the careers of many fine soloists and ensembles. During his tenure with the Riverside Symphony he participated in establishing the orchestra’s “Music Memory” education program, which now serves thousands of public school students throughout New York City. Widely recognized for its representation and career development of chamber ensembles, BesenArts seeks to enhance growing and continuing careers through innovative projects and programming.

Mr. Besen is an adjunct lecturer at the Mannes College of Music, where he teaches a course on career development, “Booking Your Own Concerts.” He is also a frequent speaker on career development at The Juilliard School and other major universities and conservatories throughout the United States, as well the national conferences of Chamber Music America and the Association of Performing Arts Presenters.