Austin Stewart

About Austin

Austin Stewart, Ph.D. (IAA 02-05), joined the Aspen Music Festival and School (AMFS) as vice president for advancement in June 2024. In his role, he works closely with the senior management team and the Board of Trustees on strategic planning, operations, and oversight of philanthropic programs to advance the goals of the AMFS. As an AMFS alumnus (Aspen Opera Theater Center '07–’08) and a former seasonal employee during his student years, Austin is thrilled to again be part of an institution that was instrumental in his own artistic and professional development.

Austin was previously chief philanthropy and advancement officer for Philadelphia’s Please Touch Museum, collaborating with the Museum’s executive leadership team to develop organizational strategy and a framework for the museum’s growth and continued excellence in serving Philadelphia families and youth. He also spearheaded special projects and initiatives to further the museum’s mission to change children’s lives as they discover the power of learning through play.  

Austin is a trained musician and historian committed to building sustainable organizations that create opportunities for individuals and communities. In his previous role as director of planned and major gifts for the Curtis Institute of Music (CIM) in Philadelphia, Austin blended his knowledge of higher education and the arts to play a principal role in the final phase of a $250M comprehensive campaign. Before CIM, he led fundraising efforts at Opera Lafayette in Washington, D.C., and New York City to broaden their domestic and foreign donor base and educational reach. Austin’s philanthropic work for some of the nation’s prestigious cultural music institutions is coupled with operational and government relations experience, serving as Chorus Pro Musica’s director of operations and at Detroit Opera (formerly Michigan Opera Theatre) in roles from audience engagement to foundation and government relations.

Austin’s passion for learning and the arts drove him to a robust career in the cultural community, starting with a bachelor’s degree in vocal performance from the University of Michigan and a master’s from the University of Texas-Austin before receiving his Doctor of Philosophy in Musicology from the University of Michigan.