Eli Parrish

Composer, conductor, and clarinetist…that is Eli Parrish. Having earned a bachelor’s degree in music composition, Eli spent much of his undergraduate academic career performing, creating, and leading. But he also spent time as an operations manager for the Atlanta Chamber Music Festival, where he gained invaluable experience in managing orchestral logistics.

Eli’s passion lies with the arts and his career goal is to develop sustainable models for arts organizations. This includes modernizing and financially stabilizing orchestral ensembles, ensuring the arts are publicly supported and that musicians are compensated with livable wages, and eventually opening his own publishing house dedicated to promoting works by younger and historically underrepresented composers.

That’s why he decided to pursue a Master in Management—to gain necessary business skills, and “strengthen my ability to lead diverse teams, manage complex projects, and foster inclusive environments.”

“The program’s practical training in the managerial and financial aspects are applicable to orchestral performance and will equip me with the tools needed to navigate the complexities of the music industry successfully,” Eli shares. “In essence, the program will enable me to merge my musical talents with business acumen, ensuring I can make a significant impact in the world of classical music as a composer and conductor.”