PBO: Board of Directors

Martin Cohn
President

Board member since: 1997

Bio: A native of New York City, Martin spent his 20s working as a cabinetmaker. Tired of poverty, he switched to a career as an advertising copywriter. He moved to San Francisco in 1980 and founded his own ad agency. His son, Aaron, is a bass player who specializes in jazz. Aside from woodworking, classical music has always been his greatest love. And since he has no talent for performing, he finds it gratifying to support it in other ways.

Other volunteer activities: Vice Chair, San Francisco Performances; Trustee of the French American International School endowment.

Instruments: Martin did study voice for a few years, but his last teacher advised him to never try to earn a living with his voice, which was excellent advice.

Favorite composers: Bach, Beethoven, Haydn, Mozart and Schubert. Martin also has a special passion for Shostakovich, Biber, and Cipriano De Rore.