Marie-Hélène Bernard was appointed Executive Director and Chief Executive Director of Handel and Haydn Society in April 2007. A native of Québec, Ms. Bernard studied arts administration at Concordia University and law at the University of Montréal. As an attorney, Ms. Bernard practiced corporate, tax, and intellectual property laws in Canada and remains a member of the Bar Association of Québec. Ms. Bernard began her career in orchestra management in 1996, having won a prestigious Orchestra Management Fellowship with the League of American Orchestras that led to residencies with the New York Philharmonic and The Minnesota Orchestra. Over the succeeding ten years, Ms. Bernard served as Chief of Staff and Project Manager for the Philadelphia Orchestra, Orchestra Manager for the Cleveland Orchestra and President and CEO of the Canton (OH) Symphony Orchestra. Ms Bernard plays the viola da gamba and her family is actively involved in early music in Montreal, Canada. She serves on the board of directors of Early Music America.