National Symphony Orchestra CEO Departs Amid Turmoil

Jean Davidson cites "external forces" as reason for leaving Washington for Los Angeles post

Published on Mar. 7, 2026

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Jean Davidson, who has led the National Symphony Orchestra since 2023, announced she will be stepping down at the end of March to become the new executive director and CEO of the Wallis Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts in Los Angeles. Davidson cited a "tough year" and "external forces" as factors in her decision to leave the NSO and return to the West Coast.

Why it matters

Davidson's departure adds to the upheaval at the Kennedy Center, which houses the National Symphony Orchestra. The center has faced disruptions, including President Trump's plan to close it for two years for renovations and several artists and productions withdrawing from scheduled performances.

The details

In an email to the Washington Post, Davidson said "It has been a great honor serving the NSO," but added "It is no secret that it has been a hard year, though." She had originally intended to stay through the orchestra's 100th anniversary in 2031, but said she found it "more and more difficult to achieve the goals that we had set out to achieve given the external forces that are at work."

  • Davidson has led the National Symphony Orchestra since 2023.
  • Davidson will be leaving her position at the end of March 2026.

The players

Jean Davidson

The outgoing CEO and executive director of the National Symphony Orchestra, who is departing to take a new role leading the Wallis Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts in Los Angeles.

President Trump

The former U.S. president who announced plans to close the Kennedy Center, which houses the National Symphony Orchestra, for two years of renovations.

Washington National Opera

The opera company that announced it would cut ties with the Kennedy Center in January.

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What they’re saying

“It has been a great honor serving the NSO. It is no secret that it has been a hard year, though.”

— Jean Davidson, Outgoing CEO and Executive Director, National Symphony Orchestra (Washington Post)

“I had intended to stay through the [orchestra's] 100th anniversary in 2031, but found it more and more difficult to achieve the goals that we had set out to achieve given the external forces that are at work.”

— Jean Davidson, Outgoing CEO and Executive Director, National Symphony Orchestra (Los Angeles Times)

What’s next

The Kennedy Center and National Symphony Orchestra will need to find a new leader to replace the departing Jean Davidson.

The takeaway

Davidson's exit adds to the instability and uncertainty facing the National Symphony Orchestra and the Kennedy Center, as they navigate a challenging period marked by political turmoil, artistic withdrawals, and leadership changes.