Rochelle Rafn

executive director

Rochelle Rafn, a lifelong Oregonian and Salem native, has always found her greatest joy in music. Her passion for classical music was sparked in early childhood through ballet, and deepened when she began studying violin at age nine. She went on to become concertmaster of the McNary High School orchestra and has since performed with multiple community ensembles, including the Salem Pops Orchestra, Salem Philharmonia Orchestra, Pentacle Theatre, and Western Oregon University Symphony. Now, as Executive Director of Salem Orchestra, she brings both artistic sensibility and a deep personal investment in the power of music to connect and inspire the community.

Rochelle holds both an MBA and a Master of Science in Data Science from Willamette University, where she graduated with honors. She co-founded and operated Rafns’ Restaurant in downtown Salem for nearly a decade, leading all aspects of business management, finance, branding, and public relations. Her graduate education further strengthened her expertise in analytics, leadership, and strategic decision-making. These skills complement her entrepreneurial background and inform her ability to plan for sustainable growth. Rochelle’s leadership style blends creativity with structure, allowing her to lead with clarity, adaptability, and long-term vision. She is passionate about building an organization that is artistically vibrant, financially strong, and deeply connected to the community it serves.