Brooke Raby

Stepping into the role of executive director of the Lexington Philharmonic was “honestly a bit of a fluke” for Brooke Raby. First a board member, then interim executive director, Raby’s role was never intended to be permanent, but very quickly, it felt like home to her. “I’ve always been around music, and I felt incredibly lucky to find a way to build a career in such a vibrant field with an established organization that was on the brink of an extraordinary new era,” says the seventh-generation Kentuckian. As a queer woman among other strong, talented women in the Philharmonic, her identity has been a blessing. “Being part of a marginalized community makes you more empathetic to so many people and ideas and communities beyond your own,” Raby says. “One of the greatest joys of my work is watching the orchestra perform, and champion works by diverse artists whose voices have historically been excluded from what is often viewed as a very white cisgender male canon. Bringing these works to the fore validates their place in that canon and ensures that more people can see themselves represented in this art form.” Raby, whose career has spanned publishing, bookselling, nonprofit development, and the humanities, is also driven by her passion for Kentucky. “The reality is that we are constantly innovating in the arts and humanities, among other things, and I would consider my life a success if I can help shine a brighter light on what Kentucky is accomplishing.” —MH