President and CEO, American Composers Orchestra

Melissa Ngan cultivates personal and organizational growth through creative acts and collaborative practices. Melissa has over fifteen years of experience in civic practice-based program design; arts administration; diversity, equity, and inclusion practices; arts-integrated educational program design; professional development and entrepreneurship in the arts; and as a professional flutist. She serves as President and CEO of the American Composer’s Orchestra and is a board member of Fifth House Ensemble, an organization she founded in 2005. She has designed projects that promote social justice through civic practice, develop mindfulness and creativity through K-12 and social service residencies, and cultivate emerging arts leaders through partnerships with higher education institutions nationwide. Frequently engaged as a speaker and consultant, she has worked with major arts institutions as they develop bold new directions in emerging artist training, civic engagement, and arts integration. Recent partners include The Cleveland Orchestra and San Francisco Opera.