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Photo by Sam Harrel

A former dancer and sail boat captain was hired to run the Fairbanks Concert Association starting Apr. 28.

Anne Biberman, 52, leaves her job of 12 years as a fundraiser for KUAC-FM and AlaskaOne Television.

The New York City native is replacing Jason Hodges, who accepted a position managing the Anchorage Concert Association.

“As someone who used to be a part of the performing arts world,” Biberman said, “I really am excited to be getting back to that atmosphere, to that whole scene.”

Biberman was chosen from a pool of about a dozen applicants to run an organization responsible for bringing to Fairbanks a variety of performers, including singers, dancers and best-selling authors. The Moscow Circus performed here in January.

“It’s a pretty great opportunity when you can come into an organization that’s already really strong,” Biberman said.

Edie Husby, president of the concert association’s board of directors, said Biberman was chosen because of her background in fundraising and administration.

“She has a real strong track record in her current position,” Husby said.

Biberman has also worked as a teacher and performer with Dance Omnium in Fairbanks and with theater companies in Madison, Wis., according to a statement from the concert association. She has a bachelor’s degree in fine arts from Earlham College.

Friends have bombarded Biberman with ideas for acts to bring to Fairbanks since she accepted the position, she said. Next year’s concert schedule has been worked out, but Biberman looks forward to helping plan the concert schedule for the following year.

She also looks forward to meeting the artists who come here to perform.

“There’s nothing that could possible bring me more joy,” she said.

Rhonda Gilbertson will continue as the concert association’s operations manager, the statement from the organization stated.