Oregon Public Broadcasting

The Oregon Ballet Theatre has chosen Diane Syrcle to be its new executive director. 

She says she is committed to keeping the ballet’s budget balanced.  And she hopes she can bring back the orchestra.

Dancer Brian Simcoe’s feet tap the floor as he works his way through a series of hops and leaps. 

Less than a year ago, the company Simcoe dances with, the Oregon Ballet Theatre, almost had to close its doors.

Staff criticized Jon Ulsh’s management of the organization and last October he stepped down.

After a national search, the ballet has hired Portlander Diane Syrcle to be its new Executive Director.

Diane Syrcle: “I love learning and I’m really excited about learning a new art form."

Syrcle has both a Masters in Business Administration and a past career singing opera. 

When she took charge of the Portland Youth Philharmonic seven years ago it was in debt. Now the orchestra has a surplus.

Syrcle says she has learned that artistic growth always moves faster than growth in fundraising. Her job is to slow the process

Diane Syrcle: “If an idea is rushed, it’s frequently underfunded. So being able to take a step back and say, wow that’s a great idea. Not for today, but for down the road.”

Syrcle says that the board of the Oregon Ballet Theatre took care of most of the financial turmoil by making the organization smaller. She hopes that with time she can reverse some of the cuts.

Diane Syrcle: “My greatest hope over time is to make sure that there is live music at the ballet “

Syrcle’s colleagues say they will be sad to see her leave the Philharmonic.

Ingrid Arnett has worked with her for seven years.

Ingrid Arnett: “She is an advocate for all of us to always be learning. It’s the same thing we teach the orchestra. To learn and advance yourself and stretch your limits. ”

The Oregon Ballet Theatre says that this year, it is operating under budget and is on target to reach its fundraising goals.