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Pacific Symphony has announced the election of Mark Nielsen as Chair of its Board of Directors, effective July 1, 2026. A respected entrepreneur, technology executive, and dedicated arts advocate, Nielsen succeeds Arthur Ong, whose visionary leadership over the past three years helped guide the Symphony through one of the most significant periods in its history, including the successful search for and appointment of internationally acclaimed conductor Alexander Shelley as Pacific Symphony's next Artistic and Music Director.

Nielsen has served on Pacific Symphony’s Board of Directors for more than 15 years and has held numerous leadership roles within the organization, most recently serving as Executive Vice Chair, Chair of the Finance Committee, and Chair of the Music Director Search Committee. A seasoned civic and business leader, Nielsen was Mayor of San Juan Capistrano from 2008-2009 and founded and led multiple technology ventures throughout his distinguished career. His expertise in building and scaling organizations has informed his strategic approach to nonprofit governance and institutional growth.

“Mark has been one of Pacific Symphony’s most trusted and strategic leaders,” said John Forsyte, president and CEO of Pacific Symphony. “He combines exceptional business acumen with a deep belief in the power of music to change lives. His steady leadership, thoughtful judgment, and exceptional dedication have already shaped some of the most important decisions in our organization’s history. As we celebrate our 48th season and welcome Alexander Shelley as our new Artistic and Music Director, I can think of no one better suited to lead our Board into this exciting new era.”

Throughout his board tenure, Nielsen has demonstrated exceptional leadership across multiple areas of organizational governance. A former board member of Opera Pacific, Nielsen joined Pacific Symphony’s Board when the Symphony decided to venture into opera work, serving as Chair of the Opera and Vocal Music Task Force. Most notably, he played a pivotal role in one of the defining moments in Pacific Symphony’s history, chairing the Board’s Music Director Search Committee and leading the comprehensive international search process that resulted in the appointment of Alexander Shelley as the Symphony’s next artistic leader. The successful transition follows the extraordinary 35-year tenure of Music Director Laureate Carl St.Clair and positions the organization for continued artistic growth and national prominence.

“From our very first conversations, Mark’s passion for music and his genuine care for this community were unmistakable,” said Alexander Shelley, Artistic and Music Director of Pacific Symphony. “He asks the right questions, listens deeply, and understands what it takes to build something truly special. As I begin my tenure with Pacific Symphony, I'm grateful to have Mark as a partner in this journey. Together with our remarkable musicians and the entire Pacific Symphony family, I'm confident we will create unforgettable experiences for audiences throughout Orange County.”

“I am deeply honored to serve as Chair of Pacific Symphony,” said Nielsen. “Pacific Symphony stands today as one of Orange County's great cultural institutions and one of the nation’s top orchestras. I believe our future has never been brighter. The combination of extraordinary musicians, visionary artistic leadership, dedicated volunteers and supporters, and an ambitious strategic vision creates tremendous opportunity. I look forward to working with my fellow Board members, our musicians, staff, volunteers, and community partners to build upon this remarkable foundation and expand the Symphony's impact to change lives and connect communities throughout Orange County and beyond.”

Outgoing Board Chair Arthur Ong reflected on Nielsen's election, saying, “Mark has been an extraordinary partner and friend throughout my tenure as Chair. His integrity, wisdom, and deep commitment to Pacific Symphony inspire confidence and trust. With his many years of experience on the Board and as a civic and business leader, he is exceptionally well prepared to lead the organization during this important and exciting chapter.”

Nielsen assumes the Board Chair role as Pacific Symphony welcomes Alexander Shelley for his inaugural season in 2026-27, launches exciting new festivals, and expands its reach throughout Orange County with innovative projects including its community engagement program Heartstrings, its elementary school partnership program Class Act, its free concert series Symphony on the Go, its “Building Communities Concerts” such as Lunar New Year and Nowruz Celebration, as well as its expansive Youth Ensembles program.

About Mark Nielsen 
Throughout his distinguished career, Nielsen has founded, led, and served as CEO or chairman of multiple successful technology ventures spanning wireless telecommunications, software-as-a-service, and enterprise software solutions.

A dedicated civic leader, Nielsen served as Mayor of San Juan Capistrano (2008-2009), a founding trustee of San Juan Capistrano’s Open Space Foundation and was a member of the Orange County Executive Committee of Tech Coast Angels, Southern California's premier angel investment group, for 20 years, where he is still active as an angel investor. 

A former board member of Opera Pacific, Nielsen joined Pacific Symphony’s Board of Directors in 2011 when the Symphony decided to venture into producing opera, serving as Chair of the Opera and Vocal Music Task Force. During his tenure with Pacific Symphony, he has served as Executive Vice Chair, member of the Executive Committee, Chair of the Education and Community Outreach Task Force and Chair of the Finance Committee. Nielsen led the Board’s Music Director Search Committee that resulted in the appointment of Alexander Shelley as Pacific Symphony’s Artistic and Music Director. He is a longtime Orange County resident and dedicated advocate for arts education, cultural advancement, and entrepreneurship.

About Pacific Symphony
Founded in 1978, Pacific Symphony welcomes Alexander Shelley for his inaugural season as Artistic & Music Director in 2026-27, building on nearly five decades of artistic growth, innovation, and community impact. His inaugural season reflects an ambitious artistic vision that blends core symphonic masterworks, contemporary voices, multidisciplinary collaboration, and a commitment to expanding access to orchestral music. Today, Pacific Symphony is recognized as a major cultural force in Southern California and performs as a resident company of the Segerstrom Center for the Arts at the Renée and Henry Segerstrom Concert Hall in Costa Mesa.

Pacific Symphony features an expansive range of programming through the Classical Series, the beloved Pops Series led by Principal Pops Conductor Enrico Lopez-Yañez, SummerFest at the Great Park Live Amphitheater in Irvine, and engaging Family Musical Mornings concerts for young children and their families. Signature cultural concerts for Lunar New Year and Nowruz are joyful musical celebrations that promote understanding and appreciation of the arts from around the world. The Symphony in the Cities and Symphony on the Go programs bring free outdoor concerts and interactive musical activities to cities across Orange County.

As the largest orchestral institution founded in the United States in the past half century, Pacific Symphony has evolved from a regional orchestra into one of the nation’s leading cultural institutions. Under the transformative 35-year leadership of Music Director Laureate Carl St.Clair, the Symphony has earned international and national recognition for its exceptional performances, commitment to American composers, award-winning music education programs, and meaningful community engagement. 

Recent highlights include a 2018 Carnegie Hall debut in celebration of composer Philip Glass; a five-city tour of China; and a PBS Great Performances broadcast of Peter Boyer’s Ellis Island: The Dream of America. Pacific Symphony has released 16 commercial recordings, primarily devoted to new American works, many of them commissioned by the Symphony. In 2024, Pacific Symphony released the world-premiere recording of Fiat Lux, a stirring new commission by composer Sir James MacMillan performed with long-time artistic partner Pacific Chorale. The Symphony has been recognized with multiple ASCAP Awards for Adventurous Programming and included among the country’s five most innovative orchestras by the League of American Orchestras.

Pacific Symphony’s education and community engagement programs have been recognized by the National Endowment for the Arts, expanding access to orchestral music and fostering a lifelong connection to the arts. Musicians partner with elementary schools to enhance music education programs through the Frieda Belinfante Class Act program. Arts-X-press is a summer arts immersion program for middle school students, and Heartstrings provides free tickets to the Symphony, music instruction, and customized music and wellness programs in partnership with local schools, nonprofits, and social service agencies.

Pacific Symphony also nurtures the next generation of musicians through its renowned youth ensembles, including the Pacific Symphony Youth Orchestra, Youth Wind Ensemble, Santiago Strings, and Youth Concert Band. These groups have toured internationally, earned prestigious awards, and provided young artists with opportunities to excel.

Through artistic excellence and a deep commitment to community engagement, Pacific Symphony continues to shape the cultural life of Southern California while expanding the reach and relevance of symphonic music for future generations.