The Philly POPS is pleased to announce the election of Dr. Rollo Dilworth as the new Chair of the Board of Directors, replacing POPS Board Chair Joseph Del Raso who will remain on the Board. The Board also approved the appointment of Karen Corbin as President and CEO of the POPS. Corbin replaces POPS President Frank Giordano, who also will remain on the Board to aid the transition.
The selection of Dilworth, Vice Dean of the Boyer School of Music and Dance at Temple University, as Board Chair reflects our intention to shift focus in favor of our education and community engagement initiatives while simultaneously reworking our subscription series performances previously held at the Kimmel Center, where we had been a founding resident company until the suspension of our resident company status in January. Coupled with the change in leadership, the Board indicated that it is seeking to meet with the leadership of The Philadelphia Orchestra and Kimmel Center, Inc. (POKC) – the Kimmel’s parent company – to discuss resolving their differences and finding a mutually acceptable path forward.
The changes were unanimously approved by the POPS Board as part of the Board’s commitment to developing a sustainable long-term financial model for the POPS.
– Karen Corbin, President and CEO"Our intention is to reconnect with our audiences while also pivoting to expand our educational programming and our unique community engagement agenda. As part of this strategy, we look to resolve our differences with the Kimmel and work together for the benefit of the patrons we both serve."
– Dr. Rollo Dilworth, Chairman"I am honored to serve as Board Chair for the Philly POPS, which is such an important part of Philadelphia’s performing arts community. We believe that the POPS has a bright future that allows us ample opportunity to be innovative in presenting the music that our audiences have loved for so many years and finding new connections with our community of patrons and students."
