Lila Searls

Lila Searls is an arts administrator and woodwind instrumentalist, originally from Belmont, Massachusetts. With a passion for increasing access and promoting equity in the arts, Lila is excited to bring her skills and experiences to The Umbrella Arts Center as the Development Coordinator. Her background spans roles in development and artistic operations at music and dance festivals, as well as theaters in Santa Fe, New Mexico; Brunswick, Maine; and Dublin, Ireland. As a freelance musician, she has performed at notable venues such as Boston’s Symphony Hall, Jordan Hall at the New England Conservatory, and Seiji Ozawa Hall at Tanglewood. She was also the baritone saxophonist for the Enigma Saxophone Quartet and enjoys performing as a pit musician.

Lila holds an MA in Cultural Policy and Arts Management from University College Dublin as well as a BA in Sociology alongside a BM in Saxophone Performance through the Tufts University / New England Conservatory Dual Enrollment Program. Her academic research explores the impact of organizational structure on leadership and decision-making, specifically focusing on how different contemporary opera companies adapt pieces to address racial and cultural insensitivities.

Outside of her professional pursuits, Lila enjoys hiking, climbing, and experimenting with gluten free recipes.