Neale Perl grew up in Brooklyn assuming the world must be half Jewish and half Italian, as were his own immediate surrounds. His grandparents were of Russian and Polish Jewish descent, and his grandfather was an ardent Zionist. He grew up in a secular Jewish home where music was an important component of everyday life. His father played the mandolin and organ, his brother played the organ as well, and Neale vividly remembers the special moment in fifth grade when he received his first cello. He has continued playing and moved his 300-year-old cello with him to Arizona. He has a twinkle in his eye when he says, “There might be a surprise performance down the road some time.”
(By the way, go ahead and pronounce the final “e” on his first name. “I hated that ‘e’ as a kid, but now I like that it’s rather unique,” he says.)
Neale was recently hired as the new president and CEO of the Scottsdale Cultural Council. As such, he oversees three components of Scottsdale arts: The Scottsdale Center for the Performing Arts and Scottsdale Museum of Contemporary Art, both located in the complex at 7380 E Second St. in Scottsdale; and the Scottsdale Public Art program, with installations located throughout the city.
“I am so excited to be only the third director of this great organization,” says Neale. “In looking through the already scheduled programming for the Scottsdale Center, I was happy to see that I have presented every one of the classical music artists myself at various venues in the past.” As a cellist himself, Neale is well-known and connected in the classical music world. He commented that he has been friends with Yo-Yo Ma, the internationally renowned cellist, since they were both teenagers.
Neale was previously president and CEO of the 48-year- old Washington Performing Arts (formerly the Washington Performing Arts Society) from 2002 to 2013. During that time, the organization was awarded the 2012 National Medal of Arts, the country’s highest national award for artists and supporters. Prior to his Washington stint, Neale was at the La Jolla Music Society from 1988-2002. In both institutions, he prided himself on creating partnerships and collaborations across geographic, economic and art genre lines. Both organizations also showed significant increases in size and scope as well as in visibility. Neale is grateful to Scottsdale Mayor Jim Lane and the City Council for their continued support of the arts and feels fortunate to be in an aesthetic atmosphere with such a broad range of arts offerings. Talking about plans for the future, Neale says, “Between the plaza and the park area that includes the library, we manage 21 acres here in central Scottsdale. We look forward to making this area more of a cultural destination. I’d love to create an international festival for example.”
Neale earned his bachelor of music in cello performance from The Peabody Conservatory of Johns Hopkins University and his master of music from Temple University. In regard to his management style, Neale says he practices the “Three L’s: Listen. Learn. Lead.” He is looking forward to bright days ahead for the council.
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