concerts and events
September
Garrick Ohlsson Plays Rachmaninoff 2
September 19 & 20
John Williams & Friends
September 27
October
With Friends, For Friends October 3 & 4
Giselle October 10–12
November
Bizet’s Carmen November 1 & 2
Young People’s Concert: A Kaleidoscope of Sight and Sound
November 5
Dayton Ballet School Ensemble: Momentum
November 8
Dayton Philharmonic Junior Strings & Youth Strings: String Sound November 16
Queens of Soul November 8
Canadian Brass November 22
December
Dayton Philharmonic Youth Orchestra Winter Concert December 7
The Nutcracker December 13–22
Handel’s Messiah December 16
The Nutcracker: Sensory Friendly December 17
FROM THE LEADERSHIP
Dear Friends
This season is a moment of celebration! For the first time, Maestro Keitaro Harada takes the podium as Music and Artistic Director of your Dayton Philharmonic Orchestra, leading us into an exciting new era of music-making. His artistry and vision join the brilliance of our opera and ballet companies to create a season that is as vibrant and inspiring as the community we share it with.
From the drama of opera to the grace of ballet and the power of the Philharmonic, our stage will shine with performances that honor tradition while embracing fresh possibilities. Each program is crafted to move, to thrill, and to remind us of the joy that only live performance can bring.
Most of all, this season is a celebration of you—our audience. Your presence and passion transform every note, every gesture, and every story into something unforgettable. We are thrilled to share this milestone year with you, and we invite you to join us as we begin a new chapter, together.
With excitement,
Patrick J. Nugent President and CEO Joseph Zehenny DPAA Board Chair
President and CEO Patrick Nugent with Artistic Directors Brandon Ragland, Kathleen Clawson, and Keitaro Harada
this is your scene
FIRST
Is this your first time at a DPAA event? If so, welcome! To ensure your visit is meaningful and enjoyable, we offer the following resources.
Box Office
The Dayton Performing Arts Alliance proudly partners with Dayton Live for its box office services. Contact the box office at (937) 228-3630 or visit the office in the Schuster Wintergarden.
Restrooms / Family Restrooms
Restrooms are available on each level of the Schuster Center and Victoria Theatre.
Accessibility
DPAA is committed to providing easy access to the arts. If you have any specific needs or questions, please contact the box office.
Audio description is available upon request for patrons who have vision loss. Describers provide a live, objective, descriptive delivery of the visual elements of a performance in between the dialogue and/or music via a small receiver. Requests must be received two weeks prior to an event and are subject to the availability of the Describer. Arrange by calling the box office.
Assistive listening devices are available for all performances. Borrow a device from the kiosk in the lobby or from a house manager.
Sign language interpretation is also available upon request for performances at the Schuster Center and Victoria Theatre. Requests for sign language interpretation must be received two weeks prior to the event and are subject to the availability of the Interpreter. Please call the box office to make arrangements.
Age Recommendation
Our events are recommended for age 6 and up.
Military Appreciation and Discount Programs
In addition to our standard military discount, DPAA offers a Military Appreciation Program for active-duty military members, retired veterans with ID cards, and WPAFB government civilian employees in the region. Each household may receive four free tickets annually. Contact the box office to redeem.
Group Sales
Groups of 10 or more can save up to 30% on tickets! Contact Engagement & Patron Services Manager, Kate LaFollette, at (937) 535-5443.
Local Dining
Make it a night on the town! We recommend the following dining options: Bistecca, Blind Bob’s, Grist, Joui, Lily’s, Lucho, Meadowlark Restaurant, Mudlick Tap House, Salar Restaurant and Lounge, Sueño, Table 33, and Wheat Penny Oven & Bar.
Lost and Found / Security
In the event you lose an item at a performance or require assistance from the security team, call (937) 637-7366. For the safety of those in the audience, behind the scenes, and on stage, everyone who enters the performance space is required to pass through metal detectors.
Questions?
For additional ticket questions or information, contact our Engagement & Patron Services Manager, Kate LaFollette at (937) 535-5443.
Keitaro Harada’s Inaugural Season
The Dayton Performing Arts Alliance would like to acknowledge Trustee Barbara N. O’Hara for her generosity and vision.
Barbara was the catalyst for bringing Maestro Keitaro Harada to the Dayton Community. We wish to thank her and the following donors for their generosity:
Barbara N. O’Hara
Patricia & Peter Torvik
Mary & Tim Riordan
Grismer Tire Company
Barbara & Leib Lurie
Christy & Michael Manchester
Mary Boosalis & Thomas Olsen
The Mary H. Kittredge Fund of The Dayton Foundation
Artistic Directors
Kathleen Clawson,
Artistic Director, Opera; Dr. Ron Anderson and Robb Sloan-Anderson Chair
Kathleen Clawson is a distinguished director, performer, and educator whose career has been defined by her deep commitment to opera. Clawson’s extensive directing work includes over 20 productions for the Dayton Opera and a long-standing association with The Santa Fe Opera, where her credits include staging two world premieres, and staging the Apprentice Scenes for over two decades.
Clawson first came to Dayton as a soloist with the Dayton Philharmonic. Now a retired mezzo-soprano, she performed with opera companies and orchestras throughout the country, and performed in musical theatre, including the “Mother Abbess” in an international tour of The Sound of Music.
A passionate advocate for arts education, she served as the Associate Director of The Santa Fe Opera’s Apprentice Singer Program for ten years and mentors the Dayton Opera Artists in Residence.
Keitaro Harada
Music and Artistic Director, Philharmonic; Sponsored by Barbara N. O’Hara
Armed with intensity and depth, Keitaro Harada consistently provides riveting concerts and opera performances in Asia, the Americas, and Europe. As Music and Artistic Director of the Savannah Philharmonic since 2020, Harada has transformed the orchestra and energized its audiences throughout the community with his imaginative programs and charismatic presence.
In 2024, Harada was named Permanent Conductor of the Tokyo Symphony Orchestra, Principal Guest Conductor and Artistic Partner for the Aichi Chamber Orchestra, and he begins a five-year tenure as Music and Artistic Director of the Dayton Philharmonic in the 2025–26 season. He has forged a close connection with the NHK Symphony Orchestra with whom he appears frequently and has recorded three albums. Harada is a recipient of the 2023 Sir Georg Solti Conducting Award.
Brandon Ragland
Artistic Director, Ballet; Sponsored by Dr. Troy Tyner and Dr. Ingrid Brown
Brandon Ragland has more than a decade of professional experience as a dancer, choreographer, and educator. He trained in Birmingham, AL, and has a bachelor’s degree in Dance-Arts Administration from Butler University. After graduation, Ragland danced with Alabama Ballet, followed by Louisville Ballet in 2010, spending 13 years as a leading artist. A respected choreographer, Ragland choreographed works for Louisville Ballet, Alabama Ballet, Ballet Arkansas, AROVA Contemporary Ballet, Next Generation Ballet, Sedona Chamber Ballet, and The Perla Ballet. In 2017, Ragland was honored to perform with the Black Iris Project at the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C., as part of the Kennedy Center’s Dance Across America Program. He has received numerous awards, including “Best Artist” in Louisville Magazine and The Lift a Life Foundation’s “Emerging Leader in the Arts Award” from The Fund for the Arts.
Dayton Ballet Company Dancers
Dayton
Artists-In-Residence
Connor Barak Claire Bergman Nicolas Bierwagen
Erin Blair Tomasin Corrente
Emma Duncan
Alyssa Eyster
Hailey Flanagan Jasmine Getz Katy Gilliam
Isaac Jones Patrick Lennon
Tarique Logan Kyan Park Maxwell Peters
Lukas Pringle Francisco Rivera Belle Urben Catherine Voorhees Christian Chester
Opera
Malone Blaich Isabel Randall Aaron Hill Evan Fleming Clara Passmore
Dayton Ballet Studio Company
Xochitl Atienza Sara Beth Austin Daniela Bennetti Amber Huggett Mollie Juniewicz
Jaiden Morley Ryan Norman Elizabeth Sabol Isabelle Wilwayco
Dara Schlesinger
John Williams & Friends
September 27, 2025 • Schuster Center
ARTISTS
Richard Kaufman, conductor
Dayton Philharmonic Orchestra
PROGRAM
John Williams
The Raiders March from Raiders of the Lost Ark
Music from Far and Away
Theme from Schindler’s List
“Harry’s Wondrous World” from Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone
Love Theme from Superman
March from Superman
Flying Theme from E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial
- INTERMISSION -
“Flight to Neverland” from Hook
“If We Were in Love” from Yes, Giorgio Theme from Jaws
Imperial March from Star Wars
Yoda’s Theme from Star Wars
“The Rise of Skywalker” from Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker
Main Title from Star Wars
About the Artist
Richard Kaufman Conductor
Richard Kaufman has devoted much of his musical life to conducting and supervising music for film and television productions, as well as performing film and classical music in concert halls and on recordings. He holds the title of Principal Pops Conductor Laureate of the Pacific Symphony, having served as Principal Pops Conductor for over three decades. Kaufman led performances on the Chicago Symphony Orchestra’s series “CSO at the Movies” for nearly twenty years. He holds the permanent title of Pops Conductor Laureate of the Dallas Symphony Orchestra.
One of the world’s leading conductors of film music, Kaufman regularly appears with the symphony orchestras of New York, Cleveland, Philadelphia, San Francisco, Atlanta, St. Louis, Toronto, Indianapolis, and San Diego. Abroad, Kaufman has longstanding relationships with the orchestras of London, Liverpool, Dublin, and the Royal Scottish National Orchestra.
In 2015, Kaufman made his debut with the Boston Pops, stepping in for John Williams at the Annual Pops Film Night, and Williams invited Kaufman to share the podium at the annual Tanglewood Film Night in August 2016. In July 2016, two days before its official theatrical release, Kaufman conducted the San Diego Symphony in a live performance of Michael Giacchino’s new score for Star Trek Beyond, accompanying the film in its gala world premiere in IMAX.
Kaufman received the 1993 GRAMMY Award for Best Pop Instrumental Performance. In addition to his two recordings with the Nuremberg Symphony, he has recorded multiple CDs with the London Symphony Orchestra, the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra, and the Brandenburg Philharmonic in Berlin.
He has conducted for performers John Denver, Andy Williams, Mary Martin, Nanette Fabray, Sir James Galway, Diana Krall, Chris Botti, The Beach Boys, Peter Paul and Mary, Amy Grant, Robert Goulet, David Copperfield, The Righteous Brothers, and Art Garfunkel.
As a violinist, Kaufman performed on numerous film and television scores including Jaws, Close Encounters of the Third Kind, Saturday Night Fever, and (in a moment of desperation) Animal House. He has recorded with artists including John Denver, Burt Bacharach, Neil Sedaka, The Carpenters, and Ray Charles.
Kaufman joined the music department of Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Studios in 1984 as Music Coordinator, and for the next eighteen years supervised music for MGM, eventually serving as Vice President of Television Music. He received two Emmy Award nominations, one for The Pink Panther and another for All Dogs Go to Heaven.
With Friends, For Friends
October 3 & 4, 2025 • Schuster Center
ARTISTS
Neal Gittleman, conductor Dayton Philharmonic Orchestra
PROGRAM
A.K. Jaquith Containing the World: Dreams of Mahler (World Premiere)
Steven Winteregg Dante's Journey, A Concerto for Orchestra (World Premiere)
1. Inferno: The Dark Forest–Gates of Hell–The Lukewarm–The Wrathful–Francesca–The Violent–Deepest Hell–Satan in Ice
2. Purgatorio: The Shores of Purgatorio–The Proud–The Slothful–The Avaricious–The Lustful–Early Paradise–Beatrice
3. Paradiso: Paradiso Souls–Ascending the Heaves–Swirling Angels–The Empyrean–Deep Ocean of the Infinite
- INTERMISSION -
Michael Schelle EXIST (World Premiere)
Edward Elgar Variations on an Original Theme, “Enigma,” Op. 36
1. Enigma
2. C.A.E.
3. H.D.S.-P.
4. R.B.T.
5. W.M.B.
6. R.P.A.
7. Ysobel
8. Troyte
9. W.N.
10. Nimrod
11. Intermezzo: Dorabella
12. G.R.S.
13. B.G.N.
14. Romanza: ***
15. Finale: E.D.U.
Neal Gittleman is the Bill & Dianne Schneider Endowed Guest Artist. This performance is sponsored by Grismer Tire. The Masterworks series is made possible with the support of Steve and Lou Mason. The Media Sponsor is Discover Classical 88.1 WDPR/89.1 WUSO/89.9 WDPG.
Neal's Note
Neal Gittleman Conductor
For most of my tenure as Conductor of the Dayton Philharmonic, I replaced (at my wife’s insistence) the standard “been-there-did-that” conductor’s bio with a non-traditional performer’s biography. Since I retired from the DPO in July, now would seem to be the perfect time to revert to the usual listing of career accomplishments.
Nah!
People ask me how I’m enjoying retirement now that I’ve been off the clock for the past three months. My answer is, “I’m loving it!” But to be honest, I don’t think it’ll feel like I’m really retired from the Orchestra until after this weekend, after this “With Friends, For Friends” program is in the books.
Returning to the podium after 30 years of performances and just a quarter-year of retirement feels comfortable—just like old times. But it’s also a little strange. Conducting a concert when you’re
the Music Director functions on two different levels. First, it’s a performance for you, our beloved audience. Second, it’s part of a larger, long-range plan for the ensemble’s development. But when you’re a guest conductor—as I am this week—my only priority is to give beautiful, compelling renditions of the four pieces listed on tonight’s program page. That 100% focus on the music of just this one performance is—for someone who’s been Music Director for the past three decades— wonderfully liberating.
Tonight’s program is unusual—three world premieres plus an “old chestnut.” Actually, it was originally conceived as three separate programs, each built around a single world-premiere work. When we decided to compress the timing of the Gittleman-to-Harada transition, those three program ideas got compressed into the line-up you’ll be hearing. And I think it works great!
Mike Schelle, Steve Winteregg, and Austin Jaquith are three living American composers whose music I’ve conducted many times with the Philharmonic, and Edward Elgar’s “Enigma” Variations has been one of my favorite pieces of music for ages. Combining three new works by these longtime friends and collaborators with Elgar’s musical “ode to friendship” seems the perfect way to celebrate my three-decade friendship/love affair with our Dayton Philharmonic Orchestra.
About the Program
Containing the World: Dreams of Mahler
A.K. Jaquith (b. 1980)
From A.K. Jaquith, Composer
COMPOSED 2025
PREMIERE
October 3, 2025; Dayton, OH
APPROXIMATE DURATION
7 minutes
“Containing the World: Dreams of Mahler compresses the dramatic arc that Mahler often follows in his symphonies into the proportions more fitting for a miniature. Why would anyone do this? To a certain degree, this is a set piece of comedic origins. Neal once suggested to me—and I suspect in more jest than seriousness—that I should write a piece featuring the DPO’s custom Mahler 6 Hammer of Fate for the pure fun it. Regardless of how serious his intentions were, I wasn’t going to let that opportunity sit idly by, so I jumped on the idea with my full energies. Of course, writing a short work using such a grand symbolic lodestar was a bit pretentious, even contradictory. Particularly when Neal asked for a positive, upbeat piece! In the end, I leaned into the idea of two contrasting but similar words: Fate vs. Destiny. One has a negative, tragic connotation. The other, far more positive and hopeful. Thus, in this work, the Hammer of Fate becomes the Hammer of Destiny. Just as in Mahler 6, the third hammer blow was seen as a tragic seal of impending disaster (and omitted in Mahler’s final version), in this piece, the third hammer blow represents my well wishes for a joyous and positive destiny both for Neal as he begins a new chapter in his life, and to the performers of the DPO as they begin their own new chapter with Maestro Harada. With this piece, I would like to express my deep gratitude for everything Neal has meant to me hashing it out as a composer in the Miami Valley. Without his assistance multiple times at key inflection points, life as a composer would have been infinitely more dreary this past decade-and-a-half.”
Dante's Journey, A Concerto for Orchestra
Steven Winteregg (b. 1952)
From Steven Winteregg, Composer
“Dante’s Journey employs the Romantic idea of literature inspiring music. It also uses the absolute concept of a concerto to show off the capabilities of an instrument. In this case, it is a concerto for orchestra that shows off the entire orchestra and its different sections and combinations.
COMPOSED 2024
PREMIERE
October 3, 2025; Dayton, OH APPROXIMATE DURATION
30 minutes
“The composer read The Divine Comedy by Dante to fill in perceived gaps in his education. While many people know musical references to The Divine Comedy, few have read the work
in its entirety. This masterpiece is in three books: I. Inferno, II. Purgatorio, and III. Paradiso, and lends itself very well to the traditional three-movement concerto form. It follows a person’s journey to the depths of hell, the climb up through purgatory, and finally to the exaltation and peace of heaven.
“Since all three movements describe different locations, each movement uses a different musical universe to describe these contrasting places. The Inferno uses Scriabin’s “mystic chord” as its basis, which is very fitting since Scriabin was a mystic who bordered on evil. The second movement, Purgatorio, uses the octatonic scale, capable of either dissonance or consonance, which is appropriate for the purging of the soul to prepare it for the purity of heaven. Paradiso uses stacked intervals of perfect fifths to create an entirely different sound from those found in the previous two movements.
“The composition is a musical journey that mirrors the literary trek. The outer movements are musically descriptive of the people and locations which are encountered. One needs to be careful in the purgatory section as the music appears to be opposite of the subtitles. For instance, one would expect “The Slothful” to be slow and cumbersome; however, it is very fast and racing because if reflects the punishment used to correct the slothful of their deficiencies in preparation for heaven.”
EXIST
Michael Schelle (b. 1950)
From Michael Schelle, Composer
COMPOSED 2024 PREMIERE
October 3, 2025; Dayton, OH
APPROXIMATE DURATION 7 minutes
“After decades of writing mostly wild, edgy, eccentric, violent, aggressive, and “modernist” music (and enjoying every minute of it!)—for example, The End of Al Capone (opera); wind ensemble pieces such as Guttersnipe, When Hell Freezes Over, Seven Steps from Hell, The End of the World, Hangover Hotel, and Bullet Train to Hell; orchestra pieces such as Virus, Trapped Like Rats, The Fifth Horseman of the Apocalypse, Escape from Xishuangbanna, Extraction on No. 8, Ear Infection, Summit at San Quentin; and chamber pieces such as JUKAI: The Mt. Fuji Suicide Forest, Kingfish Levinsky, Cut and Run, Rosemary's Baby's Accordions, Bury the Hatchet, and The Eisenstein Mummers—I just really wanted to write a simple, engaging string orchestra piece.
“Although there are brief moments of gentle reflection in many of my pieces—like extended peaceful moments of hope and resolution in Resilience (2015, double concerto for viola, cello, and orchestra on the 70th anniversary of the end of World War II, Mvmt. 3: Blast of Silence),and in Mvmt. 3 (After Afterlife) of The End of the World (2011)—my last completely “nice” piece was Prayer (2004) for cello, chamber winds, piano, harp and percussion.
“While this is certainly no Barber, Britten, or Tchaikovsky string piece (although
Tchaikovsky's Sixth is briefly referenced near the end), for me, this is all quite illuminating, cleansing, resolving, and affirming. At long last, a piece that doesn't cause fear, anxiety and emotional paralysis!
“EXIST was written for my dear friend and decades-long champion of my music, Maestro Neal Gittleman for his 2025–2026 farewell DPO concert. Neal has programmed many of my big, aggressive pieces in the past, so this time I wanted to close our decades of collaboration and friendship with music of genuine respect, sincere gratitude, deep affection, cautious optimism, nostalgic reflection, resolution, and peace.”
Variations on an Original Theme “Enigma,” Op. 36
Edward Elgar (1857–1934)
From Neal Gittleman, Conductor
Enigma (Theme) Instead of calling the theme of these variations “Theme,” Elgar called it “Enigma.” In his program note for the premiere, Elgar said, “The enigma I will not explain—its ‘dark saying’ must be left unguessed.” The theme is something Elgar noodled at the piano on October 21, 1898. His wife liked it and asked what it was. His answer: “Nothing— but something might be made of it…” The score is dedicated to “my friends depicted within,” but no full names are given, just initials and nicknames!
COMPOSED 1899
PREMIERE
June 18, 1899; London, UK
LAST DPO PERFORMANCE
January 2014; Neal Gittleman, conductor
APPROXIMATE
DURATION
31 minutes
Variation I: C.A.E. Caroline Alice Elgar, the composer’s wife. The Enigma Theme is in the flute, clarinet, second violins, and violas with other melodies and filigrees surrounding it. A little figure in the oboes and bassoons is based on an affectionate whistle that Elgar would use to get C.A.E.’s attention.
Variation II: H.D.S.-P. Hew David Steuart-Powell, an amateur pianist who loved to noodle rapid passages on the white notes of the piano—easy to play but very impressive sounding. Teasingly, Elgar fills the variation with rapid chromatic passages that H.D.S.-P. would probably have found impossible to play! The Enigma Theme appears as a countermelody in the cellos and basses.
Variation III: R.B.T. Author, scholar, and eccentric Richard Baxter Townshend loved to sing in a quavery falsetto. Elgar imitates his singing in the solo oboe. The middle section evokes R.B.T.’s habit of telling outrageous stories with increasing volume and agitation.
Variation IV: W.M.B. William Meath Baker, a bossy neighbor, fond of entertaining friends and acquaintances in his manor house. Elgar depicts W.M.B. gruffly announcing to his guests the planned schedule for the day, turning on his heels, and exiting with a slam of the door. The variation is gruff and to-the-point, like W.M.B. himself.
Variation V: R.P.A. Richard Penrose Arnold, son of poet Mathew Arnold. Elgar says that “his serious conversation was continually broken up by whimsical and witty
remarks.” The variation begins seriously, then turns whimsical. You can almost hear R.P.A.’s laughter in the woodwinds.
Variation VI: Ysobel Isobel Fitton, an amateur violist whose technical downfall was jumping from one string to the other. Elgar gives the violas that kind of stringcrossing melody right at the beginning, but he makes amends with a beautiful viola solo in the middle of the variation.
Variation VII: Troyte Arthur Troyte Griffith —architect, artist, and stage designer. Elgar captures his exuberant character in a short energetic variation.
Variation VIII: W.N. Winifred Norbury, Secretary of the Worcestershire Philharmonic Society, assisted Elgar by proofreading his scores. Elgar said this variation was inspired by the 18thcentury house Winifred shared with her sister Florence and that in the music, “the gracious personalities of the ladies are sedately shown.”
Variation IX: Nimrod August Johannes Jaeger was Elgar’s publisher and one of his closest musical collaborators. The variation evokes a discussion they had about the beautiful slow movements of Beethoven. Nimrod was the “mighty hunter” of the Bible and “Jaeger” means “hunter” in German.
Variation X: Dorabella (Intermezzo) Dora Penny Powell “Dorabella,” whom Elgar called after the character in Mozart’s opera Cosi fan Tutte. Dora had a slight stutter, which Elgar gently evokes in the woodwinds’ hesitating rhythm. In the final bars, her stutter is cured!
Variation XI: G.R.S. Dr. George Robertson Sinclair, organist of Hereford Cathedral, was very proud of his bulldog, Dan. One day, G.R.S. and Elgar were walking with Dan along the River Wye. G.R.S. tossed a stick into the river. Dan jumped in, paddled to the stick, grabbed it, scampered up the river bank, and let out a triumphant bark. G.R.S. turned to Elgar and said, “Set that to music!” In the first seven seconds of this variation, Elgar did just that!
Variation XII: B.G.N. Barrister Basil George Nevinson preferred practicing the cello to practicing law, so the cellos (solo and section) take the lead.
Variation XIII: *** (Romanza) This is perhaps Lady Mary Lygon, a close friend of Elgar’s who was, at the time, on a boat bound for Australia. A solo clarinet quotes Mendelssohn’s Calm Sea and Prosperous Voyage, while a soft timpani roll imitates the thrumming of an ocean liner’s engine.
Variation XIV: E.D.U. (Finale) E.D.U. is Elgar himself. (Mrs. E.’s nickname for him was “Edu”—pronounced “EE-doo”). The finale is a march, a grand self-portrait with a brief echo of Variation I (Mrs. Elgar) appearing halfway through.
Dayton Philharmonic Orchestra Musicians
Zulfiya Bashirova Concertmaster1
Aurelian Oprea Associate Concertmaster2
Youjin Na, Acting Assistant Concertmaster3
Elizabeth Hofeldt
David Goist Mikhail Baranovsky Louis Proske Sean Klopfenstein*
John Lardinois
Philip Enzweiler*
Kirstin Greenlaw, Principal4
Kara Camfield, Assistant Principal
Ann Linn Baer
Photo to come
Photo to come
VIOLIN I
Scott Moore Gloria Fiore Maggie Niekamp Yoshiko Kunimitsu Bill Slusser
Yein Jin*
Sheridan Currie, Principal5
Colleen Braid, Assistant Principal
Karen Johnson6
VIOLIN II
VIOLA
Scott Schilling Lori LaMattina
Mark D. Reis Leslie Dragan Belinda Burge
Mark Hofeldt Nadine Monchecourt
Oleg Babkov* Zoë Moskalew
Bleda Elibal
Elvin Schlanger, Principal11
Jennifer Northcut Janet van Graas
Eileen Whalen, Principal12
Robyn Dixon Costa
John Kurokawa, Principal13
Jonathan Lee, Principal Christina Coletta, Assistant Principal7
Molly Castrucci8 Lucas Song9
CELLO
Deborah Taylor, Principal10
Jon Pascolini, Assistant Principal
Stephen Ullery
Christopher Roberts James Faulkner
BASS
OBOE AND ENGLISH HORN CLARINET
TROMBONE Photo to come
to come
to come
PERCUSSION
Rachael Young, Principal14
Kristen Smith15 Aaron Brant, Principal16
Amy Lassiter Todd Fitter Sean Vore, Assistant Principal
Charles Pagnard, Principal17
BASSOON HORN
Eric Knorr Christian Pagnard
Tyler Bentley, Acting Principal18 Richard Begel
TRUMPET
Chad Arnow19
Timothy Northcut, Principal20
Hamza Able Principal21
TUBA
TIMPANI
Photo
Michael LaMattina, Principal22
Davi Martinelli de Lira23
Jerry Noble
Leslie Stratton, Principal24
Joshua Nemith, Principal25
Dayton Philharmonic Orchestra
Endowed
Chairs
* Denotes leave of absence
1 J. Ralph Corbett Chair
2 Huffy Foundation Chair
3 Sherman Standard Register Foundation Chair
4 Jesse Philips Chair
5 F. Dean Schnacke Chair
6 Grace Counts Finch Chair
7 Edward L. Kohnle Chair in Memory of Andra Lunde Padrichelli, Principal Cellist 2003–2018
8 Gilbert and Patricia Templeton Chair
9 Paul and Susanne Weaver Chair
10 Dayton Philharmonic Volunteer Association/C. David Horine Memorial Chair
11 Dayton Philharmonic Volunteer Association Chair
12 Catharine French Bieser Chair
13 Rhea Beerman Peal Chair
14 Robert and Elaine Stein Chair
15 David and Lois Gribler Chair
16 Frank M. Tait Memorial Chair
17 John W. Berry Family Chair
18 John Reger Memorial Chair
19 Bill and Wanda Lukens Chair
20 Zachary, Rachel and Natalie Denka Chair
21 Rosenthal Family Chair in Memory of Miriam Rosenthal, In Honor of Donald Donnett, Principal Timpani 1966–2023
22 Miriam Rosenthal Chair
23 Richard A. and Mary T. Whitney Chair
24 Daisy Talbott Green Chair
25 Demirjian Family Chair
Our Members Make the Magic!
Special thanks to all our DPAA Members who keep the classical arts thriving in Dayton with their annual donation.
IMPRESARIO ($100,000+)
Anonymous
Paul & Dolores Anderson
Steve & Lou Mason
Barbara N. O’Hara
Jesse & Caryl Philips Foundation
Peter & Patricia Torvik
Dr. Troy Tyner & Dr. Ingrid Brown
AFICIONADO ($50,000+)
Kate & Steve Hone
ELM Foundation
Linda W. Lombard & Paul W. Marshall
VIRTUOSO ($25,000+)
Thomas & Frances Bankston
John & Kathleen Beran
Janice Culver & Eugene Kurtz
Neal Gittleman & Lisa M. Fry
Luke & Juanita Lovell
Raymond & Sue Merz
Tim & Mary Riordan
Miles & Linda Schmidt
Bill & Dianne Schneider
Larry & Abbie Trittschuh
Betsy B. Whitney
Walter & Marcia Wood
LUMINARY ($10,000+)
Anonymous (4)
Dr. Ron Anderson & Robb Sloan-Anderson
Drs. Charles & Mary Bane
Ann Barr
Thomas E. Bettcher
Catherine Clark
Jim Crosset
John & Allyson Danis
Richard M. DeLon
Dr. Charles & Patricia Demirjian
Dr. Grace L. DeVelbiss
Jane A. Dunwoodie
Debra Edelman*
Vernon & Janet Fernandes
Stanley C. & Ann* Herr
Michael A. Houser
Dr. Wallace Johnson & Karen Duguid
Michael & Judith Kreutzer
William* & Wanda Lukens
Barbara & Leib Lurie
Dr. Michael & Christine Manchester
Kenneth & Darrell May
Mike & Peggie McQuiston
Dale & Karen Medford
Dr. Jeffrey & Susan Mikutis
Dr. Thomas G. Olsen & Mary Boosalis
Cathy Ponitz
Dr. David H. Ponitz
Milt & Dawn Ross
Jonah Sandler
Matthew J. Scarr
Pamela & Andrew Schwartz
Richard & Jane Schwartz
David Strohscher
Cynthia Uhl
Dr. Byron & Theresa Wade
William & Carolyn* Winger
Philip G. Wise & Dr. Joe Law
Brian & Sandra Woodruff
Kathleen & Joseph Zehenny
CENTER STAGE ($5,000+)
Anonymous
Nirmala Abraham & Scotty
Blackburn
Mary L. Arnett
David & Esther Battle
David & Maria Berry
Dr. Gwen L. Brubaker
Thomas & Joan Burkhardt
Kathleen Clawson
Daniel & Linda Deitz
William DeVenzio & Linda Short
Pat & Dave Diven
Thomas P. Gratto & Dr. Sharon D. Gratto
Jonas & Susan Gruenberg
Charlie Hardwick
Constance A. McKale
Anna Jones Monnett
Kenneth Quinter
Dr. C. Daniel & Kathy Raisch
Colleen M. Ryan
William & Diane Schaff
Barbara Schmider
Thomas F. Skelley & Sharon Lindquist-Skelley
Tony Talbot & Mark Duffy
Bill & Penny Wolff
OVATION! ($2,500+)
Anonymous (3)
Mr. Joshua E. Adams
Dr. Walter & Martha Adams
Margy Anderson
Dan & Vicky Archibald
Karl & Sandy Ayers
Ronald Bernard & Dr. Judith E. Woll M.D.
Dr. Bob Brandt, Jr.
Charles & Susan Bridgman
Michelle Bryant & Alek Kohut
Christopher & Barbara Coombs
John & Martha Culp
Dr. Robert & Lisa Custer
David & Charlene Dutton
Sue Falter
Marilyn R. Fischer
Thomas & Nancy Gaudion
John & Andrea Gillespie
Mrs. Carol Graff
Mr. Donald & Mrs. Janet Grieshop
Dr. David & Pamela Griffith
Jane Heavin & David Hammond
Jon & Marge Hazelton
Donald & Lori Heinrich
Jessica & Derek Huggett
Dr. Michael A. Jaffe M.D.
Leora K. Kline
Paul & Carol Lamberger
Mark Levy & Lisa Becker
Dr. William & Kathy Lindahl
The Mark Andrew Kreusch Memorial Fund
Drs. Jerry Clark & Barry McCorkle
Judy D. McCormick
Susan B. McCoy & Allen
Kennedy
Pat & David McDonald
David McElwee
William Mitchel
Mark Olson & Barbara Furyk-Olson
Bill & Carmen Perry
Dr. Robert & Anita Rankin
Dominick & Margaret Rinaldi
Bill & Ann Schuerman
Richard & June Smythe
Lois & Roger Sutherland
Fred & Chris Tokarz
Dr. Edward & Tracey Tomme
Sharon A. Tschudin
Michael Tyrchniewicz & Dr. Rachael Courtney
Paul & Susie Weaver
Dr. Gary B. Pacernick & Peggy Weller
James & Tami Whalen
Lt. Col Robert* & Nancy Wilda
Thomas & Sharon Williamson
Tim & Miriam Wood
BRAVO! ($1,000+)
Anonymous (12)
The Albert & Nancy Freudenberger Fund
Bruce & Karen Anderson
Jo & Matt Anderson
Shirley Ark
Ellen Bagley
Zachary Beck
Lois & Donald* Bigler
Dan & Mary Bowman
Dr. Thomas & Suzanne Brown
Mr. Ronald F. Budzik & Ms. Barbara A. Hayde
Janet Burke
Patrick Martin & Eva Buttacavoli
Allen & Mary Byrum
Barbara J. Campbell
Charles & Claudia Cornett
Rebecca & Lawrence* Corson
Karen & Gary Crim
Kelly H. Dalton
Susan & Bryan Daly
Kathleen Daly
Joyce E. Dean & Mary Ellen Batiuk
Susan DeLuca
Rosario & Helen Demers
Mark Dlott & Dale Goldberg
Mr. C. Bruce Driver
Mrs. Sue Dugan
Dr. Margaret M. Dunn & Dr. William A. Spohn
Susan & Robert Ellefson
The Fraze Family Fund
Joseph & Martha Gardner
Garry & Mindy Greene
Douglas Hahn & Melody Goodwin
Dr. Bruce & Mayumi Hall
John C. Halpin & Dorothy B. Dick
Thomas Hanley
Bob Hanna
Richard & Mary Harstad
Mr. Anthony Haugrud
Delbert & Virginia Herbeck
The Holland Family Trust
Ellen Holroyd
Jeffrey Huntington
Tyron & Frances Inbody
Corey Damen Jenkins & Associates
Craig & Margarete Jennings
Sandi Simmons & Tom Jonak
Norma Keefer
Dr. Brian & Linda Kent
Dr. R. Alan Kimbrough
Chuck Knickerbocker
Jon & Susan Kreusch
Kathryn Lamme
Wayne & Mary Jo Langguth
Susan J. Lauf
Dr. James T. Lehner & Hon. Peggy Lehner
Franklin & Cheryl Lewis
Kathryn MacVeigh
Amy Radachi & Tom Maher
Moni & George Malacos
Frank & Linda Mannarino
Kevin & Mary McDonald
Marc & Melissa McNulty
Thom & Penni Meyer
Arthur D. Mills Jr.
Helen C. Potter
Shannon Joyce Neal & Philip Neal
John & Ruth Neely
Dianne & Les Niemi
John Phillips
Todd Press
Robert & Cynthia Puskar
James Kurek & Linda BlackKurek
Mary Yerina & Bob Redfield
Charles & Alice Roedersheimer
Patricia Roth
Donald & Julia Routson
Richard & Katharine Schaefer
Alan & Beth Schaeffer
Winnie Scholl
Charles V. Simms
Catherine J. Skardon
Stephanie Skelley
Gaynelle M. Spiegel
Joan Stonitsch
Rick & Tawnya Stover
Jeri & John Tate
Dr. Charles Taylor & Kim E. Iconis
Mary T. Tymeson
Sharon Vander Gheynst, D.M.E.
Jud & Julie Wallner
K Wiedeman & L Elliott-Sowers
Merle Wilberding & Susan Elliott
Janice Finch Willhelm
John & Jane Winch
David & Sarah Wrazen
Dr. Daniel Zehringer
Dr. David Zelmon & Dr. Mojgan Samardar
FELLOW ($750+)
Anonymous
Michael & Karen Armstrong
Michael Bachmann & Mary Combs
Martha L. Bell
Charles Bradford
Dr. Charles & Mrs. Barbara Cerny
Richard E. Considine & Stanley Dixon
Jill & Dale Courte
Carl & Barbara Denison
Rebecca Dianis
Carol & Don Erwine
Pam & Ron Eyink
Elizabeth Frye
Lt. Col. Frank & Diane Gentner, USAF Ret.
Terri & John
Jon & April Hale
Barbara & Edward Hennessey
William & Carol Herrick
Fred & Sharon Hill
Patricia Horvath
Dr. Caroline H. Kennebeck-Hale & Mr. Brian L. Hale
Jean Kessel
Kenji & Misao Kurokawa
Amelia Lombardo
Joyce McDonald
Perry Nystrom & Susan K. Henry
Greg & Michele Palmer
Harold Poppe & Dale Schmidt
William C. Quinn
Carolyn J. Ray
Randy Ray & Cleanne Cass
Mrs. Frances S. Repperger
David A. Saelens, Ph.D.
Southwest Ohio Home School Band
Bob & Toni Sprinkel
Terry & Diane Torbeck
Dr. Roberts & Mrs. Lynn Wood
Dr. Virginia Wood
Susan & Randy Woods
Carol Jean Yegerlehner
Neal Gittleman’s 30th Anniversary as Artistic Director and Conductor
In celebration of Neal Gittleman’s 30th Masterworks season (2024–25) and his farewell concerts on October 3 and 4 (2025), these generous friends have contributed in his honor.
Anonymous (1)
Patricia & Peter Torvik
Harry A. Toulmin, Jr. and Virginia B. Toulmin Fund of the Dayton Foundation
Dr. David Ponitz & Cathy Ponitz
Drs. Mary & Charles Bane
Ann Barr
Kathleen L. Clawson
Janice Culver & Eugene Kurtz
Dr. Charles & Patricia Demirjian
Grismer Tire Company
Karen Duguid & Wally Johnson in honor of the friendship between Anne Johnson and Neal Gittleman
LION
Barbara & Leib Lurie
Christy & Michael Manchester
Kathy & John Beran
Mary Boosalis & Thomas Olsen
Rochester Community Foundation
Pamela & Andrew Schwartz
Cynthia Uhl
Betsy B. Whitney
Sandra & Brian Woodruff
Matthew J. Scarr
Judy D. McCormick
The Mary H. Kittredge Fund of The Dayton Foundation
Linda & Miles Schmidt
Dianne & Bill Schneider
Marcia & Walter Wood
Colleen M. Ryan
Frances & Thomas Bankston
Linda & Daniel Deitz
Richard M. DeLon
Marge & Jon Hazelton
Darrell & Kenneth May
Carolyn & Paul Flanagan
Leora K. Kline
Haley-Sibbing Family
Tina & Mike Spaulding
Linda Bales Todd & Richard Todd
Dr. Hans & Cheryl Zwart
Corporate and Foundation Partners
We thank our corporate and foundation partners for their support of DPAA’s mission, programs, and artists.
IMPRESARIO
AES Ohio Foundation
The Kettering Family Foundation
Virginia W. Kettering Foundation
Miriam Rosenthal Foundation for the Arts
Schiewetz Foundation
Harry A. Toulmin, Jr. and Virginia B. Toulmin Fund of the Dayton Foundation
MAESTRO
The Charles D. Berry Foundation
The Berry Family Foundation
VIRTUOSO
Dayton Freight
Bill and Jackie Lockwood Fund to Support Opera
LEGATO
All The Best Delicatessen
Cox First Media/Dayton Daily News
Dayton Aerospace
Kettering Health
The Mary H. Kittredge Fund of The Dayton Foundation
Marriott University of Dayton
The Shubert Foundation
The Troy Foundation
The Nick and Edna Weller Charities, Inc.
CONCERTO
Arts Consulting Group
Bob Ross Auto Group
Discover Classical 88.1 WDPR/89.1 WUSO/89.9
WDPG
Grismer Tire Company
Hotel Ardent & Bistecca
iHeartMedia
Mathile Family Foundation
WGUC Classical 90.9
ARIA
Cox Media Group/WHIO
The Disability Foundation
Houser Asphalt & Concrete
The Iddings Foundation
LION
Lockwood Family Foundation
ThinkTV
Thompson Hine
Victory Wholesale Group and the Kantor Family
WYSO Public Radio
SONATA
The Allegro Fund of The Dayton Foundation
Centerville-Washington Foundation
Crown Equipment Corporation
Johnson Investment Counsel
The Charles F. Kettering Foundation
The Kuntz Foundation
Nova Creative
PNC
Sinclair Broadcast Group
University of Dayton
INTERMEZZO
AES Ohio
Appliance Gallery Dayton
Coolidge Wall
The Dayton Hydraulic Co.
Enterprise Roofing
Harlamert Foundation
Henny Penny
KeyBank
Knack Video + Photo
League of American Orchestras
Sam Levin Foundation
LexisNexis
McCutcheon Music
Merrill Lynch
Morris Home
Opera America
Pickrel, Schaeffer & Ebeling
Square One Salon and Spa
The Synergy Schade Team
Taylor Corporation
OVERTURE
The African-American Community Fund
M&M Title Co.
Requarth Lumber Company
The Rubi Girls
Taft
Voss Auto Network
ADDITIONAL MAJOR SUPPORT PROVIDED BY:
Ohio Arts Council
Montgomery County Arts and Cultural District
Culture Works
The Dayton Foundation
Board of Trustees and Staff
OFFICERS
Joseph Zehenny, Chair
Patricia McDonald, Vice Chair
Rev. Joshua Ward, Secretary
Rodney Veal, Assistant Secretary
Timothy Riordan, Treasurer
Patrick Martin, Assistant Treasurer
Ed Tomme, Immediate Past Chair
BOARD OF TRUSTEES
Dr. Nirmala Abraham
Dr. Ron Anderson
Libby Ballengee
Dr. Zachary Beck
Ashley Bethard
Sarah Burns
Jim Butler
Christopher Coombs
Allyson Danis
Dr. Samuel Dorf
Mary-Kathryn Haddad
Kathy Harper
Michael Howard
Dr. Xavier L. Johnson
Scott Jones
Robyn Lightcap
Peggie McQuiston
Shannon Joyce Neal
Barbara N. O’Hara
Dori Spaulding
John Tate
Rick Thie
Abbie Trittschuh
Dr. Daniel Zehringer
ARTISTIC DIRECTORS EMERITUS
Thomas Bankston, Opera
ADMINISTRATION
Patrick J. Nugent, President and CEO
Teri Warwick, Chief Financial Officer
Michael Sieveking, Chief Information Officer
Milena Treer, Chief of Staff
ARTISTIC
Kathleen Clawson, Artistic Director, Opera
Keitaro Harada, Music and Artistic Director, Philharmonic
Brandon Ragland, Artistic Director, Ballet
Isaac Selya, Interim Staff Conductor
Steven Hankle, Director, Philharmonic Chorus
Carolyn Sweezy, Manager, Philharmonic Chorus
Maureen Hickey Haitch, Conductor, Philharmonic Youth Orchestra and Youth Strings
Michelle Mastin, Conductor, Philharmonic Junior Strings
Sharon Neumeister, Company Teacher and Rehearsal Assistant
Rachel Cahayla Wynne, Rehearsal Director and Dayton Ballet Studio Company Manager
DEVELOPMENT
Elaine Gounaris, Vice President for Philanthropy
Allie Haines, Director of Philanthropy
Lynnette Ivey, Director of Institutional Giving
Anne O’Hara, Development Operations Manager
LEARNING AND COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT
Jeaunita Ìféwándé Château Olówè, Vice President for Learning and Community Engagement
Jacqueline Griffin, Learning Programs Manager
Melissa McCoy, Engagement Programs Manager
Megan Forney, Dayton Ballet School Education Manager; Co-Director of Dayton Ballet School Ensemble
Gabrielle Sharp, Co-Director of Dayton Ballet School Ensemble
Elizabeth Sabol, Ballet School Registrar
Vicky Archibald, Ballet School Receptionist
MARKETING
Brittany Laughlin, Vice President for Marketing and Audience Development
Olivia Budde, Marketing Coordinator
James Mikolajewski, Marketing and Patron Acquisition Manager
Kate LaFollette, Engagement and Patron Services Manager
OPERATIONS
Chris Brislin, General Manager
Lyn Baudendistel, Wardrobe Supervisor
Josephine Baudendistel, Costume Assistant
Kelly DeLisle, Artistic Administrator
Maureen Hickey Haitch, Librarian
Kay O’Connor, Assistant Production Manager/ Resident Stage Manager
Sean Vore, Orchestra Personnel Manager
Katie West, Production Coordinator/ Assistant Librarian
The stagehands of IATSE Local 66
The wardrobe members of IATSE Local 886
HARRY A. TOULMIN JR. AND VIRGINIA B. TOULMIN FUND OF THE DAYTON FOUNDATION
BILL AND JACKIE LOCKWOOD FUND TO SUPPORT OPERA
MARY H. KITTREDGE FUND OF THE DAYTON FOUNDATION
