San Francisco Performances (SFP) is recognized as one of the leading presenters in the world. Founded by Ruth A. Felt in 1979 with a season of seven concerts, the organization is now in its 38th season and runs under the artistic direction of its President, Melanie Smith, who succeeded Ms. Felt in August 2016. SFP proudly features more than 60 mainstage performances of chamber music, recitals, contemporary dance, guitar, vocal, and jazz in a variety of venues in San Francisco including Herbst Theatre, Davies Symphony Hall, YBCA Theater, San Francisco Conservatory of Music, SFJAZZ Center, the Strand Theater and St. John’s Presbyterian Church in Berkeley. The organization also presents two smaller series; one held at the Hotel Rex in Union Square called Salons and the other held in varying venues throughout San Francisco, called PIVOT. Through the years, SFP has presented more than 100 premieres and San Francisco debuts, introducing such acclaimed artists in recital as composer/pianist Thomas Adès, cellist Yo-Yo Ma, violinist Anne-Sophie Mutter, pianist Evgeny Kissin, and soprano Dawn Upshaw as well as presenting single choreographer-led international dance companies such as Ohad Naharin’s Batsheva Dance Company from Israel and Company Wayne McGregor from England. Through successful partnerships with artists, Bay Area schools and community organizations, SFP has established one of the most recognized and respected performing arts education programs in the country. Anchored by an artist residency program that brings artists into classrooms and community workshops, the arts education projects help expose new audiences, young and old, to the great performers of our time. SFP’s outreach promotes active engagement with the performing arts, deepening the experience while opening events to diverse audiences.