The Ventura Music Festival is pleased to announce the appointment of Sonia Tower as Interim Executive Director. She replaces Lele’ Walsh, who stepped down. Tower previously served as Director of Strategic Communications and Public Affairs at the National Endowment for the Arts until January 2025. She also worked as Senior Advisor to the President’s Committee on the Arts and the Humanities, helping relaunch the Committee in collaboration with Co-Chair Lady Gaga and honorary Chair First Lady Jill Biden.
Tower has a storied history with the Festival having worked as Cultural Affairs Manager for the City of Ventura and being responsible for the development and launch of the Ventura Music Festival. Tower oversaw the early years of the Festival, and then transitioned it to a separate 501(c)(3) non-profit organization.
“We feel so fortunate to have such a highly qualified individual willing to step in and shepherd the Festival during this time of transition,” said Richard Reisman, Board Member for the Ventura Music Festival.
“I am honored to serve in the capacity of Interim Executive Director for the Festival,” said Sonia Tower. “The Ventura Music Festival is a valuable cultural asset which has been providing Ventura residents and visitors with superlative musical performances for thirty years, and nothing could give me more pleasure than to work with the dedicated and accomplished Board, staff and volunteers to produce this year’s Festival.”
Tower will help guide the organization as it prepares for its upcoming summer season, continuing the festival’s tradition of bringing world-class music and arts education to Ventura County. Each year, the festival welcomes thousands of audience members to Ventura while also providing educational programs and free community events that expand access to the arts. For more information on the festival visit venturamusicfestival.org.
