Don Roth was reared in Brooklyn where he got his introduction to classical music in high school through his classical music obsessed friend group. His friends made it their personal mission to get him interested in classical music. He remembers watching in amazement as an older friend conducted The Marriage of Figaro at Brooklyn College. Another core memory included witnessing Leonard Bernstein conduct Mahler’s Symphony No. 3. That experience was “overpowering” and made him realize the power of music. Don considers Bernstein to be one of his main inspirations.

Don studied American history at Brown and Yale before pursuing a doctorate in African American history at the University of Texas. He worked as the chief of staff for John Trevino Jr., Austin’s first Mexican American city councilmember. Trevino taught him key tenets of leadership and laid the groundwork for his future career in arts management. Always interested in a wide range of music, while in Austin Don also collaborated with his friend, the great Texas writer Jan Reid, on the first major article, in Texas Monthly, to draw attention to the burgeoning Austin Music scene. 

When Don heard about an opening at the Austin Symphony for general manager, he pitched himself for the job, despite having no prior experience in the field. A month later, he had it. “They took a chance on me, and it really worked,” he said. This position launched Don’s career which, prior to his retirement included significant experience with orchestras, educational institutions, music festivals and presenting organizations, including the San Francisco Symphony, the St. Louis Symphony and the Aspen Music Festival and School.

As the Mondavi Center’s second Executive Director from 2006 to 2023, Roth expanded and diversified program offerings and audiences; strengthened service to patrons and artists; deepened ties to UC Davis students, faculty and staff; and built community engagement within the wider Sacramento region. While at the Mondavi Center, Don chaired the Board of San Francisco Classical Voice and co-chaired Sacramento Mayor Kevin Johnson’s “For Art’s Sake” planning project.

Don proclaims that among his proudest accomplishments was the establishment of the Mondavi Center’s $1.5 million Artistic Ventures Fund a decade ago, which has allowed it to take artistic chances, gamble on expensive productions like Ballet Preljocaj’s Swan Lake, and close financial gaps when necessary. 

He is being interviewed by his successor at this position, Jeremy Ganter.