Juneau Jazz and Classics gets new executive director for 40th season

Sandy Fortier stepping down after eight years of leadership; Sitka Music Festival’s Alexander Serio will add JJAC to his Southeast lineup

Alexander Serio, right, introduces himself as the new interim executive director of Juneau Jazz and Classics during a fundraising event on Monday, Dec. 8, at Church of the Holy Trinity featuring cellist Zuill Bailey, the artistic director for the nonprofit festival organization. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Independent)

By Mark Sabbatini

Juneau Independent

Both the incoming and departing leaders of Juneau Jazz and Classics are keeping their new gigs in the neighborhood, so to speak.

Sandy Fortier, who served as the festival’s executive director from 2009-2011 and again since 2019, is departing to work with two music education programs for local and statewide students. Her successor, Alexander Serio, executive director for the Sitka Music Festival, is expanding his presence in Southeast Alaska by taking on the same role for JJAC.

Serio, the new leader of JJAC director as of Dec. 1, is filling the position on an interim basis for the nonprofit’s 40th season. He said that was a decision by the festival’s board of directors, but he would be interested in taking on the role permanently if that becomes an option.

"In the 40th anniversary I think I'd like to just honor the roots of the festival and the extraordinary Linda Rosenthal, who was a pioneer, founding this 40 years ago in a very different Southeast Alaska than what we have today, and everybody who's been involved in getting the festival to where it is today, " Serio said.

Among JJAC’s upcoming events is a pair of holiday concerts on Thursday evening at Crystal Saloon. A 7 p.m. show sold out quickly, prompting organizers to add a 9:30 p.m. jazz-only show. The evening will also serve as an effort to raise funds for JJAC’s third annual Juneau Jazz Fest from Feb. 4-7, 2026.

JJAC’s Spring Music Festival is scheduled April 24 to May 9. Fortier is scheduled to serve as a consultant until February for the organization’s upcoming events and Serio said the music lineup will continue to be largely determined by Zuill Bailey, an acclaimed cellist who is the artistic director of the festivals in Juneau and Sitka.

"I hope during your 40th anniversary to connect with each one of you and to hear the stories of what the festival means to you and things that you enjoy," Serio said after being introduced by Bailey during a Dec. 8 fundraising concert by the cellist at Church of the Holy Trinity.

Fortier, a flutist involved with a multitude of music organizations in Juneau for many years, is taking on new roles with the Juneau Alaska Music Matters student education program as well as the Alaska Arts Education Consortium, a statewide music education nonprofit.

"I'm ready for a new challenge," she said in an interview before the Dec. 8 concert. "And also arts education is kind of where my heart is because I was a music teacher before I came here to Jazz and Classics. And so all of this is arts education related."

Sandy Fortier, the former executive director of Juneau Jazz and Classics, listens to thanks for her tenure during a fundraising event on Monday, Dec. 8, at Church of the Holy Trinity featuring cellist Zuill Bailey, the artistic director for the nonprofit organization. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Independent)

Serio, a trumpet player, has also long been involved in student education projects, including previously serving as director of the Wynnefield Branch of Settlement Music School in Philadelphia. He is also the founder of the Ictus International Music Competition, which, according to a press release, features 500 trumpet applicants from 25 countries being evaluated by a jury of leading trumpet players from the world’s leading orchestras.

He said he expects to divide his time during the year ahead between his activities in Philadelphia and Alaska.

"I feel like the work of bringing these artists into those communities, and getting them into the schools and getting them in front of students, and just making it accessible to people who may not otherwise have access is really important, and that's what I love about Alaska," he said. "I love the people, and the communities are just so warm and real, and that you can meet and talk to the artist after the concert. Whereas here in the Lower 48, you go to a concert and there's often a big separation between the musicians and the audience. And you probably won't see that person grabbing coffee the next day, which you might in Juneau or in Sitka or Ketchikan, and it's just a totally different atmosphere that I really love."

• Contact Mark Sabbatini at editor@juneauindependent.com or (907) 957-2306.