Michael Albaugh

A trained musician, composer, educator, and a nationally recognized arts leader, Dr. Michael Albaugh joined the Cape Symphony as Executive Director in March 2020. Mike’s mission is to align the organization’s orchestra and education programming with a progressive vision to advance their commitment to increase the Cape Symphony’s presence within, and service to, all of the communities on Cape Cod, and demonstrate the versatility of a cultural arts organization to powerfully commemorate, celebrate, and explore their lives, history and future. Simply put, the Cape Symphony engages with the communities, on the stage and off the stage, to “Inspire Joy” through the celebration of the arts.

As The Philadelphia Orchestra’s Director of Education and Community Initiatives, Mike advanced the Orchestra’s commitment to community service through its HEAR initiatives focused on Health, Education, Access, and Research. Under his direction, the Philadelphia Orchestra’s Free Neighborhood Concert series and the New Audience New Places programs grew and flourished, meeting tens of thousands of new listeners throughout the city. Mike led the charge to expand the Orchestra’s healthcare and sensory-friendly programs, which led to the 2019 Kimmel Award for Accessible Experience.

In his previous role with Jazz at Lincoln Center, Mike created the Summer Jazz Academy at Bard College, a two-week residential high school jazz program, and the Junior Jazz Academy at Juilliard, a one-week day camp for middle school students. He also developed a new model for Jazz at Lincoln Center’s pre-K education program WeBop, which allowed the curriculum and certification program to be licensed by organizations across the country.

Mike previously served as a faculty administrator at Montclair State University, and spent seven years as the Director of Music at Interlochen Center for the Arts. He received the National Teacher Recognition Award in 2005 from the National Foundation for the Advancement in the Arts.

Mike received his B.A. in music education and guitar performance from West Liberty State College. He holds an M.M. in composition with an emphasis in music technology from Bowling Green State University and a D.M.A. in composition with an emphasis in music theory from West Virginia University. A ProMusica International Grant recipient, Mike conducted field research in West Africa, studying Ewe music and culture in Kopeyia, Ghana.