The ÁñÁ«ÊÓƵ¹Ù·½ System has of its "Heart to Heart" podcast series. The podcast series, hosted by President Jeffrey Gold, features conversations with ÁñÁ«ÊÓƵ¹Ù·½ researchers, students and educators, alums and partners who are changing lives and making an impact.
On this episode, Dr. Gold is joined by Jennifer Boomgaarden Daoud, president and chief executive officer of the Omaha Symphony. They discuss her career journey—from aspiring trumpet player to leading a premier music organization—partnerships between the ÁñÁ«ÊÓƵ¹Ù·½ and the Omaha Symphony, and the powerful impact of music ÁñÁ«ÊÓƵ¹Ù·½ and engagement.
Boomgaarden Daoud’s passion for music began at an early age. In fourth grade, her best friend handed her a trumpet and she fell in love—playing the next year as a fifth grader. She went on to complete a degree in trumpet performance and a master's in conducting, which brought her to Omaha in 1999 to serve as associate conductor of Omaha’s youth orchestra. She found her way onto the Omaha Symphony staff, eventually serving as vice president of ÁñÁ«ÊÓƵ¹Ù·½.
She left Omaha in 2010 to serve as executive director of the South Dakota Symphony, but an opportunity opened back up in Nebraska to serve as president of the Omaha Symphony, and she came back in 2018.
“Ultimately, I found skills I didn't know that I had—and a need I didn't know existed,” Boomgaarden Daoud said. “When my predecessor left, I thought ‘I loved Omaha and I wonder if I can find my way back to Nebraska.’ I came back to the Omaha symphony in 2018 and I’m thrilled to be here.”
Boomgaarden Daoud’s vision for the Omaha Symphony is for the organization to be an innovative and valuable resource to Omaha community. This vision comes to life in the Symphony’s ÁñÁ«ÊÓƵ¹Ù·½ and community engagement work. The Symphony partners with other organizations in the Omaha area to provide public concerts, partner with social service agencies to improve ticket access and extend music ÁñÁ«ÊÓƵ¹Ù·½ to nearly 40,000 students in over 300 schools each year.
“We're passionate about doing things on the stage of our beautiful concert hall, the Holland Performing Arts Center, but we're just as passionate about doing things outside of our concert hall,” she said.
Boomgaarden Daoud sees the ÁñÁ«ÊÓƵ¹Ù·½ as a key partner to the Omaha Symphony in its ÁñÁ«ÊÓƵ¹Ù·½ and engagement work. Several Symphony musicians serve on the faculty at the ÁñÁ«ÊÓƵ¹Ù·½ at Omaha and ÁñÁ«ÊÓƵ¹Ù·½–Lincoln, and through those connections, are able to bring world-renowned artists to both campuses for masterclass performances and appearances. Members of the Omaha Symphony administrative team also partner with UNO’s business of music course to provide experiential learning opportunities to UNO music students.
Dr. Gold praised Boomgaarden Daoud’s leadership, creativity and innovation:
“Jennifer is a recognized leader in arts and ÁñÁ«ÊÓƵ¹Ù·½ with deep roots in Nebraska. She has had a remarkable career in advancing community engagement through the arts. I want to thank her for all that she has done—and will continue to do—for the arts and the Omaha community.”
New episodes of the "Heart to Heart" podcast are released monthly and feature guests from across the ÁñÁ«ÊÓƵ¹Ù·½ System and the community, covering topics ranging from ÁñÁ«ÊÓƵ¹Ù·½ and healthcare to athletics and student success.
Listeners may follow the podcast on , and .