Jamey Hasapis was working in the banking industry in California—a career he loved—when by chance a friend mentioned that the Flagstaff Symphony Orchestra was looking for an operations manager.

Hasapis had always planned to retire in Flagstaff because his in-laws live here, but at 51, that was still years away. Nonetheless, as a musician who studied vocal performance at California State University, Fullerton, and who continued to perform with various groups as a baritone bass, he applied and was hired.

He has no regrets.

“I tell friends of mine I have the best job in the world,” Hasapis said. “It’s like a dream job for me. I’m just amazed that I was able to find something like this.”

As one of only two full-time symphony employees, Hasapis wears many hats.

The operations oanager “primarily takes care of making the concerts happen,” he said. That includes for each performance, marketing, community outreach and education, and promotions—“practically everything but fundraising,” he laughed.

“Jamey especially is pivotal” to the symphony’s success, said Executive Director Laura Kelly. “I think he’s a real public relations tool because he’s so enthusiastic,” she added.

Hasapis is described as “energetic,” “collaborative,” and “imaginative” by people who know him.

With an annual budget of $600,000, Flagstaff’s symphony is considered small. The majority of its 90 musicians have other full-time jobs, and the rest are students. The symphony performs seven concerts per season and attracts an average audience of 1,150 at each one.

One of its most well-known annual traditions is the Lollipop Matinee for young people, scheduled this year for December 6. Hasapis said the Lollipop Matinee has a long legacy: three generations are now coming to hear a performance and leave with a treat.

He added that what’s special about the Flagstaff Symphony is the caliber of musicians. When his friends who are familiar with the Los Angeles Philharmonic (the “LA Phil” to insiders) or the Phoenix Symphony hear this group perform, “they’re just awed at the quality,” he said.

The symphony’s marketing goals include diversifying its audience, hoping to draw everyone from river runners to retirees. One of the tactics they’re using is to position the symphony as an experience, or something that enhances one’s quality of life. This is in contrast to other markets that might attract interest by promoting their guest performers.

Not only does the symphony spend money to underwrite 89.5 KNAU, the National Public Radio affiliate, in exchange for on-air promotions, but it also advertises on the unexpected adult rock station 103.7 the EAGLE.

The strategy seems to be paying off.

During one performance last year, Hasapis said he stood in the balcony of NAU’s Ardrey Auditorium listening to a jazzy piece and looking down at the audience. His eye caught an older woman with grey hair nodding her head in time to the music. She was bobbing in perfect synch with another audience member—a young man wearing black leather, his hair cut in a mohawk.

It was a brief moment of zen, then Hasapis got back to work. “It’s tiring,” he said about his job, “but it’s a good tired.”

For more information, contact the Flagstaff Symphony at 928-774-5107 or visit www.flagstaffsymphony.org.