The PM Podcast

Episode: "Different in the Most Positive Way: A Conversation with Trey Devey"

Host: Jay Frost
Guest: Trey Devey, President of Interlochen Center for the Arts
Release Date: February 21, 2026

Episode Overview

This episode features an in-depth and personal conversation between host Jay Frost and Trey Devey, President of the Interlochen Center for the Arts. The discussion traces Devey’s journey from a rural Illinois upbringing to leadership roles in major American orchestras and ultimately to heading one of the world’s foremost youth arts institutions. The conversation blends Devey’s personal narrative with insights on arts administration, philanthropy, the evolving landscape of arts education, navigating institutional crises, and his vision for Interlochen’s centennial and beyond. Notable for its openness, the episode offers practical lessons and emerging themes for anyone interested in the arts, fundraising, nonprofit leadership, or youth development.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

Early Experiences: Roots in Music and Community

• Musical Upbringing — Trey credits his father’s passion for classical music as foundational ([02:44]):
  • “My sister, in fact, didn’t know that our stereo could play anything other than classical music until she realized that the radio dial actually did move.” — (Trey Devey, 02:44)
• Serendipity in Instrument Choice — A school band director steered young Trey to trombone because “my arms were long enough to get to seventh position” ([02:44]).
• Community through Ensemble — Early participation in music ensembles was transformative:
  • “It’s absolutely life changing, right? To, you know, from my perspective, to have that discipline and the opportunity to collaborate with others in an ensemble setting, it just was my community.” — (Trey Devey, 05:08)
• Public School Opportunities — Trey benefited from robust public school music programs and nearby college resources.

Pathways and Forks: From Performer to Administration

• Evolving Aspirations — Entered college aiming to perform, but work as a freelancer, teacher, and small orchestra administrator changed his course ([12:13]).
• Professional Competitiveness — Acknowledges the fierce challenges in both orchestral performance and administrative spheres:
  • “For the hundred people that... show up for a trombone audition... there’s going to be one person that’s going to get that job... The difference between getting in one orchestra versus another, you know, can be just what happens on any given day.” — (Trey Devey, 15:44-17:16)
• Fellowship as a Turning Point — Participation in the League of American Orchestras fellowship led directly to orchestra management roles.

Facing Failure and Learning: The Florida Philharmonic Story

• Institutional Crisis — Devey’s brief tenure at the Florida Philharmonic saw him close the organization for financial reasons.
• Hardest Professional Experience ([20:29]):
  • “It was the hardest professional situation I have ever dealt with by far... when it comes to people’s livelihoods and the jobs that they rely upon, that was especially challenging for me.” — (Trey Devey, 20:29)
• Profound Lesson — Upon reflection and advice from business leader and author Jim Collins:
  • “Sometimes the solution set is null, essentially, meaning, you know, sometimes there isn’t an answer.” — (Jim Collins as quoted by Trey Devey, 23:29)
• Action over Avoidance — Biggest career lesson: “Bad news doesn’t get better with age... you really have to deal with things as quickly as they emerge.” ([26:42])

Leading through Change: Cincinnati Symphony Turnaround

• Financial Turnaround — Took the helm as Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra faced a multimillion-dollar deficit ([26:44]).
• Collaboration and Trust — Rapidly negotiated a new cost structure with musicians:
  • “It was a leap of faith on their part, you know, to trust a new leader... The donor community really responded to this collaborative approach... that gift would not have happened had we not come at it with that sort of spirit of cooperation.” — (Trey Devey, 28:03-30:50)
• Record Philanthropy — Collaboration led to an $85 million gift that secured the Orchestra’s future ([30:45]).
• Effective Fundraising — Emphasizes listening and shared vision:
  • “As my dad said, you’ve got two ears and one mouth, so listen twice as much as you talk. Really listening is just kind of fundraising 101.” — (Trey Devey, 32:40)

Transition to Interlochen: Vision, Challenge, and Opportunity

• Interlochen’s Unique “X Factor” — Trey was drawn to lead Interlochen after noticing its alumni “were different in the most positive way” – displaying multidisciplinary artistic breadth and a global view ([39:47]).
• Expanding Interlochen’s Reach — Describes outreach initiatives that grew from a handful to 130 partner organizations nationwide, connecting underserved youth to transformative experiences ([09:58]).
  • “For the cost of an airline ticket, I can introduce a young person to the world.” — (Trey Devey, quoting a partner, 09:58)
• Institutional Vision: Access and Excellence ([45:04]):
  • Twin Pillars: “We want to meet the full demonstrated need of every student... and we want to be better.” (45:04)
  • Balancing Act: Stakeholder feedback split 50/50 on whether to prioritize access or excellence leading to “push on both of these areas.”

Navigating Crisis: The COVID-19 Era

• Compound Challenges — Interlochen, straddling education, performing arts, and hospitality, was deeply impacted by the pandemic ([45:04]).
• Steadfast in Vision — Maintained momentum on the major capital campaign and strategic priorities even under severe adversity.
• Rapid Adaptation — Delivered in-person instruction as early as August 2020 by leveraging campus and outdoor spaces.

Looking Ahead: The Centennial and Personal Stakes

• Defining Success —
  • “I’ve been pretty clear that I’ll judge my presidency on whether we’re able to meet the full demonstrated need of every young person who earns admission to this place. This is personal for me because... I don’t want a place like Interlochen to be out of reach for a kid, regardless of their zip code, regardless of their parents bank accounts.” — (Trey Devey, 50:31 & callback to opening, 00:00)
• Interlochen as Community — Hopes to steward an institution that “opens up doors for young people to really understand themselves and their place in the world in the most positive way.” ([50:31])

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On embracing setbacks:
  “Sometimes the solution set is null... sometimes there isn’t an answer.”
  – Jim Collins as recounted by Devey, [23:29]

• On the purpose of philanthropy:
  “Philanthropy at its best is just a joyful experience.”
  – Trey Devey, [35:14]

• On access to opportunity:
  “I don’t want a place like Interlochen to be out of reach for a kid, regardless of their zip code, regardless of their parents bank accounts.”
  – Trey Devey, [00:00], [50:31]

• On the unique strength of Interlochen alumni:
  “Every Interlochen alum that I met was different in the most positive way... they had a broader perspective on the arts, a multidisciplinary perspective, a global view.”
  – Trey Devey, [39:47]

• On listening as key to leadership and fundraising:
  “You’ve got two ears and one mouth, so listen twice as much as you talk. Really listening is just kind of fundraising 101.”
  – Trey Devey, [32:40]

Timestamps for Key Segments

• Trey’s Early Music Journey & Influences: [02:44] – [06:51]
• Public School Ensembles and Community: [05:30]
• Path from Performer to Administrator: [12:13] – [15:08]
• Orchestral Workforce Competitiveness Explained: [15:44] – [17:16]
• Florida Philharmonic Closure: Lessons and Aftermath: [18:09] – [24:56]
• Cincinnati Symphony Turnaround & $85M Gift Story: [26:42] – [32:08]
• Philanthropy, Fundraising Philosophy: [32:08] – [35:44]
• Why Interlochen? The “X Factor” and Multidisciplinary Value: [39:47] – [43:22]
• Interlochen’s Centennial Vision: Access and Excellence: [45:04] – [49:58]
• Personal and Institutional Legacy, Access to Arts: [50:31] – [52:17]

Tone and Style

The conversation is candid, warm, anecdotal, and insightful. Devey’s reflections are personal and mission-driven, with a focus on empathetic leadership, systemic challenges in the arts, and the joy (and pain) of stewarding change. Frost’s questions steer the discussion between biography and practical example, making the conversation resonate for both arts professionals and community-minded listeners.

Takeaways

• Leadership in the arts blends vision, courage, listening, and the ability to confront hard truths quickly.
• Philanthropy succeeds when rooted in trust, shared vision, and genuine partnership.
• Broadening access to transformative arts education is both a moral and institutional imperative.
• Institutions thrive by balancing tradition with innovation, and by staying focused on mission through good times and bad.

For listeners interested in nonprofit management, youth education, or the future of the arts, this episode offers a wellspring of hard-earned advice and authentic inspiration.