Sesenton ushers in new era of concert management at UB

The Department of Music has welcomed a new staff member to lead its concert programming. Alexandra Sesenton steps into the role as concert manager with enthusiasm and a deep appreciation for the legacy left by her predecessor, Phil Rehard, who held the position for more than three decades.

With an extensive background in both performance and arts administration, Sesenton hopes to utilize her experiences to produce concerts that are relevant, inspiring and impactful.

Splitting her early years between New York City and northern New Jersey, Sesenton earned a bachelor’s degree in vocal performance at the Mannes School of Music at the New School.

Following graduation, she was awarded a Fulbright Study Award, which took her to Belgrade, Serbia, where she performed with the Belgrade National Opera.

Furthering her education, she completed a one-year certificate program at Carnegie Mellon University before earning a Master of Music degree from the Royal Academy of Music in London. Prior to relocating to Buffalo, she lived on Cape Cod, working with the renowned Silkroad Ensemble and managing performances as an independent consultant.

Sesenton began her role at UB in January and reflects on the past few months with excitement and optimism. “I’ve had a great experience so far. I feel really welcomed and supported,” she says.

Despite the learning curve of a new position, Sesenton is no stranger to the complexities of event management, and she credits Rehard for remaining available as a mentor during the transition, ensuring a smooth handover of responsibilities.

“I’ve done this many times in terms of putting on performances; it’s just learning UB’s specific processes,” she explains.

Beyond logistical coordination, she’s also eager to explore branding and marketing strategies to expand the reach of UB’s music programming.

“We’re looking at ways to get more people aware of our performances, as well as how we reach out to the community and make this a student-forward department,” Sesenton says.

As the semester progresses, Sesenton is eager to amplify visibility for upcoming performances. She issues regular press releases and plans to send out a monthly newsletter highlighting key events.

“Every concert feels like the most important one,” she says, noting that she’s particularly excited for June in Buffalo, the contemporary music festival and conference dedicated to emerging composers that is hosted annually by UB.  

While adjusting to the demands of the role, Sesenton is mindful of the personal and professional balance required for concert management. “My hours are strange — I work events at night, sometimes on weekends. But I try to build in flexibility while making myself available whenever needed,” she says.

Sesenton has relied on her team of four student assistants and two teaching assistants, who have roughly three years combined experience, to assist with navigating the department’s existing framework.

Looking ahead, she plans to streamline operations for future seasons. “I know that next year, I’ll have a better sense of how to structure things, so it doesn’t feel so chaotic.”

With a passion for cross-cultural collaboration and audience engagement, Sesenton plans to keep UB’s concerts engaging, meaningful and community-focused.