Chicago Sinfonietta Appoints Althea Alviar Lee as New Vice Chair

The Chicago Sinfonietta has announced the appointment of Althea Alviar Lee as the new Vice Chair of its Board of Directors. Lee succeeds Genhi Givings Bailey, who held the position since 2022. This change comes as the organization gears up for its 2025-26 season under the artistic leadership of Music Director Mei-Ann Chen.

Lee joins a leadership team that includes newly elected Board Chair Wendy Lewis and President and CEO Sidney Jackson. This team aims to foster community connections through the Sinfonietta’s performances, which Lee describes as impactful and engaging. In an official press release, she expressed her enthusiasm: “I was drawn to Chicago Sinfonietta by the feeling of community and connection that its performances create for everyone in the audience. I have experienced firsthand the impact of the Sinfonietta’s work and am honored to have a role on the Board that allows me to help amplify it and create more connections through community engagement.”

Lee has been actively involved with the Chicago Sinfonietta since 2016, previously serving as Board Secretary and participating in several committees including Nominating & Governance, Finance, and Executive. She is also the founding chair of the Sinfonietta’s Associates Board, demonstrating her long-standing commitment to the organization’s mission.

In light of Lee’s appointment, President and CEO Sidney Jackson remarked, “This moment is a true inflection point for our esteemed organization, as we begin an inspired 2025–26 season designed by Maestra Chen. I’m thrilled to have Wendy and Althea as two outstanding partners to lead the Board in our collective efforts to embrace excellence—both artistic and otherwise—while further entrenching ourselves in the greater Chicago communities.”

The Chicago Sinfonietta, an orchestra dedicated to diversity and inclusion, continues to expand its reach within the community. With Lee’s leadership, the organization aims to enhance its mission of creating meaningful connections through music.