Nicholas Cooper serves as Executive Director of the Anchorage Symphony Orchestra, where he leads the organization's administration, finances, operations, and institutional strategy in support of its artistic and community mission.

Nick began his career as a music educator in the San Francisco Bay Area before becoming the founding Executive Director of the San Francisco Wind Ensemble and later serving as Artistic Administrator at Virginia Opera. His arts career has included performances at state and international conferences and recording projects at Skywalker Ranch.

After moving to Anchorage in 2020, Nick joined the Alaska Division of Public Health, where he became a senior administrator during the largest public health mobilization in the state's history. His portfolio included more than $800 million in federal grant awards and approximately $1 billion in spending authority. He later served as Chief Financial Officer at The Arc of Anchorage, overseeing financial strategy, Medicaid billing, revenue operations, and a major modernization of the organization's accounting systems.

Nick joined the Anchorage Symphony Orchestra in May 2025. Since then, he has modernized the orchestra's financial, ticketing, and donor infrastructure; redesigned ticket pricing to expand access; and strengthened financial policies and internal controls. He is also leading the rebuilding of ASO's youth concert programming and school partnerships and expanding Music for My Neighbors, the orchestra's community access and education initiative.

Nationally, Nick is active with the League of American Orchestras. He co-presented "Establishing Your Own AI Policy and Protocols" at the League's 2026 National Conference and serves on advisory groups focused on AI governance and the future of the Orchestra Statistical Report.

Nick holds dual master's degrees in Arts Administration and Public Affairs from Indiana University, where he was recognized by the Lilly Family School of Philanthropy, and a BA in Music Education from Sonoma State University, graduating with distinction. He has also completed management coursework through Harvard Business School Online and holds certification in lean management.

He lives in Anchorage with his wife, Hannah, her son Corbin, and a small, opinionated Pomeranian named Greenbean.