New Directions and Leadership at Riverside Symphonia

Reported Monday, February 23, 2026.

Pictured Above: Carol Cruickshanks, steps into the role of new Managing Director of Riverside Symphonia. Photo Credits: David Norton.

NEWSROOM POST: LAMBERTVILLE, NEW JERSEY

Arts & Nonprofit Executive Level Professional, Carol Cruickshanks is widely welcomed into her new role at Riverside Symphonia as Managing Director

Lambertville, NJ – Carol Cruickshanks stepped into the role of Managing Director of the Riverside Symphonia just over four months ago, bringing with her a deep well of nonprofit leadership experience. In that short time, she has already guided the organization through its December season closing concert, providing steady direction rooted in decades of arts administration.

As the former Executive Director of New Hope Arts, Cruickshanks is no stranger to building community around cultural programming. Her long-standing relationship with the Symphonia— including more than ten years of volunteer service for its beloved Concert Under the Stars — gives her a unique understanding of the event’s history, impact, and potential.

Now, as she turns her focus to shaping the 2026 season with Conductor and Music Director Mariusz Smolij, Cruickshanks is leading the effort to frame and elevate this year’s Concert Under the Stars scheduled for June 27, ensuring the tradition continues to thrive while honoring the Symphonia’s mission and its 36-year legacy.

The Caprio Competition serves as the spring anchor of the Symphonia’s mission‑aligned, community‑facing artistic identity, offering a meaningful pathway for the development of young musicians. This year’s presentation, held on April 19 at South Hunterdon Regional High School, is open to non‑keyboard student instrumentalists from across the New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and New York region. Participants compete for sponsored cash awards as well as the rare opportunity to perform as a guest soloist with the Riverside Symphonia. The finalists’ performance is free and open to the public, making it an ideal experience for budding music students, their families, and community members who wish to witness the early stages of a young artist’s professional journey. Through this event, the Symphonia continues its longstanding commitment to nurturing emerging talent and enriching the cultural life of the region.

Pictured Above: Carol Cruickshanks, Managing Director of Riverside Symphonia. Photo Credits: David Norton.

“We are building the foundation first, ensuring that a revitalized Riverside Symphonia is in line with the times – more accessible and relevant,” says, Cruickshanks. Learn more about Riverside Symphonia at RiversideSymphonia.org