PEORIA SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA WELCOMES NEW EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR & CHIEF VISION OFFICER, DR. LACEY PHELPS.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
July 31, 2026
Peoria, IL—The Peoria Symphony Orchestra (PSO) is proud to announce the hiring of the new Executive Director and Chief Vision Officer, Dr. Lacey Phelps, who officially began leading the PSO on Monday, July 27th.
Dr. Lacey Phelps brings a distinguished career as an internationally acclaimed trumpeter, musician entrepreneur and arts leader administrator dedicated to advancing music through performance, education, and philanthropy. Having performed on some of the world’s most prestigious stages and collaborated with renowned conductors across the globe, Dr. Phelps combines decades of artistic excellence with a passion for community engagement and visionary leadership that inspires audiences and strengthens the arts.
Dr. Lacey Phelps exclaims, “It is a tremendous honor to be selected as the Executive Director & Chief Vision Officer of the Peoria Symphony Orchestra. I firmly believe in the transformative power of music to inspire hope while unifying and strengthening communities. Throughout my career, I have been passionate about fostering positive change through performance, education, and fundraising, and I see an extraordinarily bright future for the PSO. Maestro Stelluto has planned a phenomenal season for us, and I am eager to partner with him, our exceptional musicians, and the entire PSO family to serve our community through music.”
Following a search conducted by PSO’s ad-hoc Executive Search Committee, Dr. Lacey Phelps was selected as the next Executive Director to work alongside Music Director George Stelluto, and the orchestra’s board, staff, musicians, and supporters.
“I am very excited about Lacey’s appointment as the PSO’s new Executive Director and I’m looking forward to working with her! She has boundless energy, enthusiasm, and dedication to the importance of music in communities around the world. Now she will share all of that with Peoria and the PSO! We are very fortunate!” states Maestro George Stelluto.
Pam Johnson, as co-chairperson of the Search Committee and Treasurer of the PSO, stated, “After an extensive nationwide search that attracted many talented leaders, I am thrilled that we were able to bring Lacey to Peoria. Her enthusiasm for music and musicians is contagious. I look forward to working with her as she leads this outstanding orchestral organization.”
Dr. Lacey Phelps Biography
Dr. Lacey Phelps is the new Executive Director and Chief Vision Officer of the Peoria Symphony Orchestra. Phelps is an optimist who empowers transformation through music performance, education, and fundraising. In addition to being an internationally celebrated trumpeter, Dr. Phelps is an Oklahoma farm girl of Cherokee heritage. She enjoys a multi-faceted career as a soloist, chamber musician, clinician, and is the founding Executive Director of DFW Brass. She has performed internationally under the direction of some of the world’s greatest conductors, including Gustavo Dudamel, Helmuth Rilling, Julius Rudel, Itzhak Perlman, David Andrews Rogers, Frederick Fennell, Placido Domingo, and Valery Giergiev. She has judged for The National Trumpet Competition and performed at multiple International Conferences and Festivals as well as at The Vatican, Carnegie Hall and most recently as a soloist in Italy, Panama, Bulgaria, and Greece.
In addition to National and International TV and global Radio Broadcasts, she has recorded in eleven countries on three continents including for NPR’s Pipe Dreams, Deutsche Grammophon, Glor Music Productions, Lobo Productions, and Hal Leonard. She has played thousands of musical theater productions as well as on Broadway tours and previously held a position at the Verdi Opera house in Trieste, Italy. As an educator, she has taught at the secondary, undergraduate, and graduate levels for two decades and remains active as an international clinician. Dr. Phelps holds degrees from The University of Oklahoma (BM, BME, DMA) as well as Rice University (MM). Her husband, Dr. Josh Phelps, is a champion auctioneer, professional singer and conductor. Together they enjoy a life of service to others through music, ministry, fundraising, and the auction industry. They love spending time with their rescue dogs (Harvey, Champ, & Gracey), as well as traveling, scuba diving, & tractor pulls.
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Founded in 1897, the Peoria Symphony Orchestra (PSO) is a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt, not-for-profit organization whose mission is to entertain, educate, and inspire through music. The PSO presents excellent live musical performances, innovative music education programs, and engaging community outreach efforts, which significantly impact central Illinois’s cultural and economic vitality.
For media inquiries or more information: Ashley Hade, Marketing & Sales Manager, Peoria Symphony Orchestra. Email: ashley@peoriasymphony.org // Direct line: 309.495.0563
