BARS Directors
DANIEL CANOSA | Artistic Director
With a repertoire of symphonic and choral masterworks of all periods, Argentina-born conductor Daniel Canosa, considered one of the best of his generation, has led orchestras and choruses in Argentina, the United States and Europe. Canosa studied composition and orchestral conducting at the Argentine Catholic University and the Universidad Nacional de La Plata. He studied Baroque repertoire under Argentine maestro Sergio Siminovich in Buenos Aires and conductor Nicholas McGegan in Berkeley, California. An extended biographical reference to him appears in the book Careers in the Music Industry, Career Role Models for Young Adults (Mitchell Lane, publishers). Daniel Canosa is the first Artistic Director of the Bay Area Rainbow Symphony. Learn more
IAN HARWOOD | Executive Director
Ian earned his BA in Music and BS in Biochemistry while studying at the University of Rochester and Eastman School of Music. He is currently completing his PhD in Biophysics at the University of California, San Francisco. Ian has performed on tuba with and consulted for myriad Bay Area ensembles, and served as a Director for the Lesbian and Gay Band Association.
Board of Directors
IAN HARWOOD | Interim President
HANS BRIGHTBILL | Vice President
Hans earned his BS in Biological Sciences and BM in Cello Performance from UC Irvine and received his PhD in Microbiology and Immunology from UCLA. As a research scientist in Immunology, he has conducted research at UC Berkeley where he was a recipient of fellowships from the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society and the NIH. Hans is currently a research scientist at Genentech, Inc. A cellist with BARS, he has also played throughout Southern California and the Bay Area in such orchestras as the American Youth Symphony, the Debut Orchestra, and the UCI and UC Berkeley Symphonies.
THOMAS DISANTO | Chief Financial Officer
Thomas is the Budget and Revenue Manager for the City and County of San Francisco. He has more than 17 years experience in public sector finance. He also holds a Master of Music degree and has more than 20 years experience performing in orchestras, chamber groups and as a soloist. He volunteers about 10 hours a week for the Bay Area Rainbow Symphony, and is currently the Treasurer and Chair of the Finance Sub-Committee.
JAMIE HOPS | Director
Jamie earned a BA in Music performance from University of Texas and worked as a professional musician in and around Dallas,TX. She was principal trumpet in The Texas Festival Orchestra and first call sub for the East Texas Symphony and the Dallas and Fort Worth Symphonies. Jamie has served as Vice President of the Oaklawn Band in Dallas,TX and as Librarian for the Lesbian and Gay Band Association. Jamie is an active member of Human Rights Campaign Fund works in the Bay Area as an independent software consultant.
GENE NAKAJIMA | Director
Gene is a psychiatrist at the Center for Special Problems in San Francisco. He attended medical school at Johns Hopkins University, where he studied with Ignatius Gennusa at the Peabody Conservatory.
DAVID YU | Director
David is the founder of a technology start-up and a cellist for BARS. He holds a law degree and an undergraduate degree in computer science and molecular biophysics. He is actively involved in other San Francisco LGBT organizations, including Spikes Soccer and San Francisco Track and Field Club. He is also a Director for the Association of Asian American Yale Alumni.
