The Augusta Symphony has selected Becky Dearden, the chair of the North Augusta Chamber of Commerce, as its new executive director, it announced this week.
Dearden, who will manage the Symphony’s programming and outreach alongside operations, has a robust resume in community engagement, including roles as marketing director at the SME CPA accounting firm and the vice president of communications for the Association of United States Army Fort Eisenhower Chapter (AUSA).
Dearden bolstered her credentials in 2020 by graduating in the Leadership Columbia County Class in 2020, and the Augusta Class in 2022.
“I’m thrilled to join the Augusta Symphony and contribute to the cultural enrichment of our community,” said the University of South Carolina alumna, whose achievements put her on the Augusta Metro Chamber’s Top 10 in 10 Young Professionals to Watch list in 2021. “I look forward to working with the talented musicians, dedicated staff and passionate supporters to continue the Symphony’s legacy of excellence.”
The new director is onboarding amid the Symphony’s celebrated 70th season—its anniversary was May 23.
Bearden will be replacing Anne Catherine Murray, who had served as the Augusta Symphony’s executive director since 2015, stepping down earlier this year to serve as executive director of philanthropy at Piedmont Augusta.
Skyler Q. Andrews is a staff reporter for The Augusta Press. Reach him at skyler@theaugustapress.com.
