Seventeen years ago, Jason and Dilshad Posnock stepped onto the Brevard Music Center campus as newly-appointed faculty members. Although they had performed around the country and the world as professional musicians, the Posnocks had never traveled to the serene and inspiring Blue Ridge Mountains of North Carolina. That first summer was "a magical experience" – one that not only ignited a love of "all things BMC," but also fueled the Posnocks' deep passion for educating the next generation of classical musicians. After two summers, Jason was offered and accepted a full-time position with BMC and, from 2008 to present, assumed increasing responsibilities over artistic planning and educational programming.
Beginning October 2023, Jason Posnock will take the helm of one of the country's premier classical music institutes and festivals as its new President and CEO. He will follow in the footsteps of current BMC President and CEO Mark Weinstein, who considers his successor to be the "artistic conscience of our institution" and "the perfect choice to confidently lead Brevard Music Center into the future." Artistic Director Keith Lockhart couldn't agree more, "No one knows more about what the Brevard Music Center is, and what it can be, and no one is more fully invested in our mission than Jason. I am excited to continue our work together as we look ahead to the next chapter of this great institution."
Throughout almost two decades of life in Brevard, Jason and Dilshad Posnock have remained deeply committed to BMC and the Brevard community, to our region, and to the "thread of education" that weaves through their many endeavors. Both have served as dedicated faculty members at Brevard College and respected musicians with the Asheville Symphony, where Jason has been Concertmaster since 2007 and Dilshad serves as Principal Piccolo. They have loved the opportunity to raise their children, Max and Lylah, to "have the music in them" and have proudly applauded their participation in BMC productions including Bernstein's Mass, Mahler 3, Susannah, Midsummer Night's Dream, and Supersonic. And this summer, Max will enjoy the full student experience as a member of the BMC High School Percussion program! They have encouraged Max's involvement in the Asheville Youth Symphony, where Dilshad also serves as a coach of ASYO's Woodwind section, and, with equal enthusiasm, Lylah's love of soccer. And while Jason has been instrumental in nurturing countless BMC community partnerships, Dilshad has forged her own distinct path in our community, having been involved in several local non-profit organizations including Meals-on-Wheels, NAACP, and VISION Transylvania. Dilshad is also a decade-long board member and former Chair of Mountain Sun Community School, located on the idyllic BMC campus, where both Max and Lylah have thrived in MSCS's Montessori-based experiential education.
What's next?
BMC's incoming President looks forward to seeking greater regional and national visibility, adding new programs, expanding BMC's offerings outside the summer festival season, bringing the best and brightest stars from all genres of the music world to Brevard, and continuing to impact the local community and the next generation of young people participating in music – whether they be performers, teachers, administrators, board members, patrons or donors. "I have been proud to be part of this era of excellence, and am excited for what the future holds," he said. "It is truly an honor to follow the leadership of Mark Weinstein and John Candler, and I wholeheartedly embrace the opportunity to put my stamp on the history of our amazing BMC."
