Julie Nystedt is a familiar face to GRSMA musicians, having been a staff member of the Grand Rapids Symphony for over ten years. She has worked her way up the ladder from Operations Manager to her present role of GRS Vice President and General Manager. We sat down with Julie to ask about her job, her favorite GRS memories, and more!

 

GRSMA: Tell us about your musical career and the path that brought you to your current role as Vice President and General Manager of the Grand Rapids Symphony (GRS).

 

JULIE NYSTEDT: I started playing the oboe in fifth grade, and I was the first one in my family to play an instrument (though my younger brother and sister quickly followed). I also took piano lessons, but I was terrible, so my piano career was short-lived.

 

As an undergrad, I initially studied music therapy but quickly realized it wasn’t the right fit for me, so instead I pursued a double major in oboe performance and organizational communication. While finishing my degrees, my oboe teacher suggested that I explore orchestra management and connected me with the Kalamazoo Symphony. They needed an assistant for their CBA negotiations, and I was hired for a few months to take notes and assist with other preparations. I hadn’t considered this career path before, but I enjoyed learning about everything that went into making concerts happen behind the scenes, so I continued to look for additional opportunities to gain experience. While working on my master’s degree, I worked for the Eastern Music Festival in North Carolina and the Battle Creek Symphony before coming to GRS.

 

In the 12 years that I have been at GRS I have had different roles that have given me countless opportunities to learn and grow, and I’m very grateful for each of those experiences because I know that they have all led me to where I am now. 

 

GRSMA: Where did you grow up, and what are your first memories of classical music?

 

JN: I grew up on the southwest side of Chicago (Tinley Park), and my first memories of classical music are of time spent with my grandfather, who loved all kinds of music. In particular I remember him listening to the Boston Pops, and often when I was at his house, he’d have their records playing at a very loud volume and depending on what was playing he’d march or dance around the living room with me and my siblings. 

 

As I got older and started to study music more seriously, my grandparents were also the ones who took me to my first professional orchestra concert – the Chicago Symphony Orchestra featuring Alex Klein playing the Strauss Oboe Concerto. As was the norm for them, my grandparents made sure this was a special experience for me, and to this day it is one of my favorite memories of them. 

 

GRSMA: Now that you've lived in Grand Rapids for over ten years, what changes have you observed in the past and wish for in the future?

 

JN: There has been a significant revitalization of the downtown area. There are many new restaurants, entertainment venues, and other businesses, with even more in the works for the future, and because of this there is so much more to do – concerts, sports, cultural celebrations, and other events.

 

There has also been a diversification in the local economy, including healthcare and technology, which has led to population growth. I hope to see more investment in infrastructure and public transportation to make the fun and exciting things we have happening downtown accessible and convenient to everyone who wants to enjoy them. All of these things make Grand Rapids a more vibrant city, and an attractive place to live, and my hope is that we continue to see the city grow and flourish. 

 

GRSMA: While the GRS has had women in leadership roles for decades (such as Music Director Catherine Comet in the 1980s and 1990s, and President/CEOs Melia Tourangeau and Mary Tuuk Kuras in this century), more women are in top GRS positions than ever before. Is this a trend that you are noticing in our industry?

 

JN: I think the GRS is ahead of the curve in this area. There has been an increase in women in leadership roles across the industry, both on and offstage, but most large orchestras are still predominantly led by men. Although progress is being made, the representation of women—especially women of color—does not yet reflect the world around us, and there is still work to be done.

 

GRSMA: We notice from your social media posts that you enjoy traveling. What are the top destinations that you would recommend for a vacation?

 

JN: Most of my travel plans are made around food! My husband Ryan and I had a great time eating our way through Italy last summer. We loved the diversity of dishes and ingredients used in each region, and that each place offered something unique to experience and enjoy – history in Rome, beaches with beautiful warm turquoise water (and amazing seafood) in Cinque Terre, and art and plenty of shopping in Florence. Just don’t ask how much gelato we ate…

 

I also love to be outdoors, and one of my and Ryan’s goals is to visit all of the US National Parks. My favorites so far have been Joshua Tree and Yellowstone. There is something unique and wonderful to discover in each park, and the sense of peace and calm you can find hiking through the wilderness is incredible. 

 

GRSMA: Do you have a memorable moment or two from past GRS seasons that you would like to share with us?

 

JN: I have many good memories of my time with GRS, but there are two that stand out:

 

First is the first concert we had in 2021 with a very small live audience. I love that we found a way to continue to connect with our community during the pandemic, but nothing can compare to a live performance, and it was extra special to be reminded of that after over a year spent creating broadcasts in an empty arena/theater.

 

The second is actually one of the first concerts I was part of here – it was Stephen Paulus’ "To Be Certain of a Dawn." My job that weekend was to be backstage following the score to cue the youth chorus singers one by one to carry and place their candles on stage. It was such an emotional performance and I remember holding my breath at the end, waiting for the audience to respond after the last notes were played, and the nearly 30 seconds of complete stillness in the theater before the applause began.

 

GRSMA: Your job includes artistic planning for the GRS. Are there any future plans that you can tell us as we head to the 100th anniversary in 2029-30?

 

JN: While nothing is set in stone yet, the vision for our 100th anniversary is that it will be a season of celebration of our past, present, and future – both in the community and beyond – we’re thinking big. 

 

GRSMA: As we reported in our winter 2024 GRSMA newsletter, the majority of GRSMA musicians are dog owners. Can you tell us about yours?

 

JN: Finn and Charlie are my two (very spoiled) dogs who sleep approximately 16 hours per day. Finn is a boxer who is glued to me most of the time, and Charlie is a Jack Russell/pit bull mix who can usually be found curled up under a blanket on the couch. They love to go for walks, swim, snuggle, beg for cheese, and destroy stuffed squeak toys together. They’re both incredibly sweet and goofy and they make life better every single day. 

 

GRSMA: While all of the GRS concerts that are scheduled for this season are appealing, is there a certain performance or artist that you especially look forward to hearing?

 

JN: We have a great season ahead of us, and there are many concerts I am looking forward to, but there are two I am particularly excited about. The first is An Evening at Hogwarts: Music by Candlelight. I’m a big Harry Potter fan—I was the kid who begged her mom to take her to all of the midnight book releases (she always obliged), and then wouldn’t sleep until I’d read them cover to cover. The program includes some of the best music from all eight movies in the franchise, and we’re planning to transform DeVos Hall into the Great Hall at Hogwarts, with over 4,000 candles and other magic. https://www.grsymphony.org/hogwarts

 

The other is our final program of the season which includes a premiere by Jake Heggie. I love new music and am looking forward to finally hearing his piece. https://www.grsymphony.org/finale

 

GRSMA: Is there anything else that you wish to share?

 

JN: There are many exciting things to come and I’m looking forward to everything that we’ll do together!