2024–2025 IMPACT REPORT
ARTISTIC HIGHLIGHTS
Mercury’s Downtown Series concert “Loving Clara” (February 2025) offered a staged journey through the life of Clara Schumann, exploring her relationships with Robert Schumann and Johannes Brahms. The multimedia program wove together music by Clara, Robert, and Brahms, with Clara represented by a pianist, singer, and dancer. Co-created by Stage Director Tara Faircloth with choreography by Marlana Doyle, this multi-disciplinary production explored themes of love, loss, and mental health that shaped one of the most influential musical figures of the Romantic era.
In March, Mercury presented “Bach’s St. John Passion”, featuring Grammy Award-winning tenor Nicholas Phan and the Mercury Singers, a professional vocal ensemble led by Dr. Betsy Cook Weber. This performance marked a significant achievement for Mercury with its scale and artistic importance at the center of the Baroque repertoire.
Each spring, Mercury holds auditions at Juilliard, selecting up to four post-graduate students for a one-year fellowship with the ensemble. These fellows perform with Mercury throughout the season, gaining valuable performance experience while introducing Houston audiences to the next generation of outstanding musicians trained in period practice. For the 2024-2025 season, violinists Ryan Cheng and Cristina PratsCosta, recent graduates of Juilliard’s Historical Performance Program, were chosen as MercuryJuilliard Fellows.
Rachel Chao (piano), Mark Diamond (Baritone), and Megan Samarin (mezzo-soprano)
Lindsey McGill & Dwain Travis (dancers)
Antoine Plante, Cristina Prats-Costa (violin), and Ryan Cheng (violin)
Nicholas Phan (tenor) performs with Mercury musicians
ARTISTIC HIGHLIGHTS
In April, Mercury welcomed Venezuelan musicians Alexis Cárdenas (violin), Jorge Glem (cuatro), and Elvis Martínez (bass) for the season’s final Neighborhood Series concert, “Bach to Joropo.” Now in its twelfth year, the Neighborhood Series brings short, affordable concerts to unique spaces across Houston and has evolved over the years to include chamber masterpieces, global holiday music, and world music programs with guest artists. This season reached the highest ticket sales in the series’ history, with “Bach to Joropo” becoming its most successful concert and celebrating Venezuelan culture through a blend of Joropo and the music of Bach.
Mercury concluded its season with “Mendelssohn’s Violin Concerto” featuring world-renowned guest violinist, Kerson Leong. Before the performance, Mercury hosted an open rehearsal for subscribers who also donate to the organization, giving them a behind the scenes look at the music making process.
Alexis Cárdenas, Jorge Glem, and Elvis Martínez perform with Mercury musicians at Dosey Doe
Kerson Leong performs with Mercury musicians
Mercury’s 2025 Gala, Moonlight Serenade: A Night at a 1950s Supper Club, was a tremendous success, raising $220,000 after expenses to support Mercury’s concerts and education programs. Chaired by Ally Shell and Martijn van Koolwijk, the event at the Thompson Houston transported guests to the golden age of swing with an unforgettable night of big band jazz. Mercury welcomed the Houston Jazz Orchestra, directed by Jim McLaughlin and Antoine Plante, as featured artists for the evening.
In March, patrons joined Antoine Plante, Artistic Director, and Brian Ritter, Executive Director, for our annual visit to New York City during the audition process for the MercuryJuilliard Fellowship. The group stayed at The Park Lane on Central Park South and experienced four amazing performances including Juilliard415, the New York Philharmonic, and Die Zauberflöte and Moby-Dick at the Metropolitan Opera. The grand finale of the trip was a special tasting menu at Thomas Keller’s three-Michelin star restaurant, Per Se.
Artistic Director Antoine Plante, Gala Chairs Ally Shell and Martijn van Koolwijk, and Executive Director Brian Ritter
Auctioneer Johnny Bravo
Stephen and Kristine Wallace, Blake Eskew, Brian Ritter, Antoine Plante, Amy Waldorf, and Lloyd Kirchner
EDUCATION & COMMUNITY OUTREACH
Mercury began the season in September with its annual free community concert at Miller Outdoor Theatre. Over 5,000 attendees joined us for a program titled “Vivaldi & Telemann” featuring recorder virtuoso Vincent Lauzer.
Mercury’s education programs have engaged more than 20,000 students over the past five years, bringing teaching artists into Title I schools to work with children and to perform entertaining and curriculum-based concerts. During the 2024-2025 school year, Mercury’s education programs reached students in schools across Houston ISD, Fort Bend ISD, Pearland ISD, and Cypress-Fairbanks ISD. The teaching artists included Kathleen Carrington, Daphnee Johnson, Andrés González, Ricardo Jiménez, Anabel Ramírez, Oleg Sulyga, Jonathan Godfrey, and Eunghee Cho.
Throughout the school year, internationally acclaimed musicians led masterclasses for students in the string program at Kinder High School for the Performing and Visual Arts. Ten students received hands-on coaching from cellist Elinor Frey and violinist Kerson Leong.
and Musiqa
at Saengerhalle
In May, Mercury collaborated with Musiqa to present “Divine Voices,” a pay-what-you-wish community concert that paired motets by Renaissance composer Vicente Lusitano, the first known Black published composer, with with new works by Brian Nabors and Nkeiru Okoye commissioned especially for this collaboration.
Kerson Leong and HSPVA orchestra students
Mercury
perform
Mercury performing at Miller Outdoor Theatre
Mercury musicians perform at Scarborough Elementary in HISD
56 IN-PERSON CONCERTS
10 BY
AT-HOME BROADCASTS
128
PIECES OF MUSIC PERFORMED
22,470
AUDIENCE MEMBERS IN 2024-2025
82%
SUBSCRIPTION RENEWAL RATE
11,249
SOCIAL MEDIA FOLLOWERS
116 ARTISTS ENGAGED
12+ SCHOOLS SERVED THROUGH EDUCATION PROGRAMS
$1.7 M
ANNUAL OPERATING BUDGET
COUNTRIES REACHED BY STREAMING
STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL POSITION
As of June 30, 2025 and 2024
During the 2024-2025 season, Mercury Chamber Orchestra achieved solid financial results, with revenue growing to $2.3 million. Key revenue drivers included significant individual contributions, a successful annual gala, growing audiences, and the launch of Mercury's Beyond 25 Campaign. Expense management kept spending aligned with revenue, while increased cash reserves helped boost Mercury’s financial resilience. With a thriving audience base and balanced budgeting, the 2024-2025 season set the stage for Mercury’s continued growth and community impact, creating a healthy foundation for artistic and organizational success leading into Mercury's 25th season.
1, 2024 through June 30, 2025
REVENUE HISTORY
MERCURY CHAMBER ORCHESTRA DONORS
MERCURY PATRON SOCIETY
Mercury’s Patron Society recognizes individuals making annual leadership gifts of $2,500 or more. Mercury is grateful to the following individuals whose annual contributions provide vital support for the organization and make our concerts, events, and music education programs possible.
PLATINUM ($25,000+)
June & Steve Barth*
Patricia Branton & William Gould*
Cristela & Bill Jonson*
Kirsten Jensen & David Kerley*
Dr. & Mrs. Christopher Prince*
Kristine & Stephen Wallace*
Lynn & Oscar Wyatt
Anonymous
GOLD
($15,000 - $24,999)
Mollie & Wayne Brunetti*
Martha & Blake Eskew*
Mary Foster & Don DeSimone*
Mariko & John Jordan*
Mrs. Warren Kreft*
Rosemary Malbin*
Rose Ann Medlin & William E. Joor III*
Gaby & Kenny Owen*
Ally Shell & Martijn van Koolwijk
SILVER
($10,000 - $14,999)
Michael & Marsha Bourque*
Donna & Mike Boyd*
Rebecca Fieler*
Lloyd Kirchner*
Antoine Plante & Lori Muratta
BRONZE
($5,000 - $9,999)
Joe Caruana & Kim duClair
Robert N. Chanon*
Kevin & Meghan Downs*
Sofia & Tyler Durham
Marcia & Thomas Faschingbauer*
Marissa & Shane Gilroy*
Peter & Chris Godfrey
Debra & Mark Gregg
Virginia Hart & Robert Navo*
DM Marco*
Carol & Joel Mohrman*
Neil Sackheim & Stephen Voss*
Robert Sartain*
Linda & Tom Sparks
Ralf van der Ven
Courtney Williams MD*
Nina & Michael Zilkha* Anonymous*
PATRONS
($2,500 - $4,999)
Thomas Bevilacqua & Karen Merriam*
Richard Brown*
Mindy & Josh Davidson*
Carmen Delgado & Duane C. King*
Nan Earle*
Marilyn & Bill Eiland*
Caroline Freeman
Connie & James Garson*
Nancy & Carter Hixon*
Janice & Tim Howard*
Lili & Hans Kirchner*
Julie & Keith Little*
Forrest Lumpkin*
Angelika & Michael Mattern*
Dr. Maureen O’Driscoll-Levy
Ruth & Michael Pancherz*
Melissa Patin*
Jackie & Roy Perry
Lalana Pundisto & Michael Fortwengler*
Lisa Rich & John McLaughlin
Kelly & David Rose*
Andrew J. Sackheim*
James E. Smith & Sasha Van Nes*
Ann Tornyos*
Amy Waldorf
Betsy & Rick Weber
Douglas & Carolynne White*
*Mercury Season Subscriber
ANNUAL SUPPORT
Mercury is grateful to the following individuals whose ongoing support makes our concerts, events, and music education programs possible.
BENEFACTORS
($1,000 - $2,499)
Thomas Beach*
James & Barbara Becker
John Robert Behrman*
Dr. Joan H. Bitar*
The Carl & Phyllis
Detering Foundation
Dr. Bill & Sharon Donovan
Rena & Richard D’Souza
Gary Gardner & Peg Palisin*
Ed Garrett*
Leonard Goldstein & Helen Wils
Heimbinder Family Foundation
Nancy & Michael Henderek
Molly & Hugh Rice Kelly*
Mary & Rodney Koenig
Bert Medley & Susan Taylor*
Steve & Elaine Roach*
Tricia & Steve Rosencranz*
Anonymous*
SUPPORTERS
($500 - $999)
Joel Abramowitz & Rita Bergers*
Jessica & Jay Adkins
D.Bentley*
Dr. Caroline Christensen
Valerie Cramer*
Zed Choi
Deborah Lugo & Andrés González
Claire Halloin*
Mrs. Laura Leib*
Jim & Ellana Livermore*
Petter Madsen
Stephen Magill
Kenneth Moore Jr.*
Candice & Roger Moore*
Melanie L. Rogers*
Merry Schooley
Penny & Sean Lewis*
Brian Smyth
Ann Tornyos*
David & Christine Underwood
Chuck Bracht & Cheryl Verlander
Deborah M. Wagner*
Anonymous
DONORS
($150 - $499)
Keith Anthis*
Margaret Preston & Robert Baumgartner*
Mary Louise & Mark Berry*
Becky Browder*
Dottie Burge & Vic Driscoll*
Barbara & Jim Carney
Ms. Theresa M. Craig*
Dana Dilbeck*
Frank & Mariam Dumanoir
Rev. Paul F. English
Mr. & Mrs. Peter Ferenz*
Sebastian Gobel*
Beth & Kenneth Green*
Ashley & Chris Hotze*
Cheryl M. Katz
Frank & Lynda Kelly
Edward Kenny*
Dennis & Casey Kiley*
Georgia & Stephen Kimmel*
Nora Klein
Candy & Weir Kyle*
Victoria & Alex Lazar
Judy Liu
Juan Ignacio Mangini
Nancy Wynne Mattison*
Audrey Moses
Linda Bennett & Jeff Nunn
Julie & Chip Oudin*
Lois Pierson*
Patricia Rathwell*
Natalie Riley
Jurgen Schroder
Kathleen & Sean Shannahan*
Barbara & Michael Smith*
Phylis Tomlinson
Keila Torres
Jonathan Godfrey & Ana
Treviño-Godfrey*
Mrs. Jovan Popovich*
Dr. Denise Wilborn*
Dr. Robert K. Wimpelberg & Peter
Hodgson* Anonymous (3)
FRIENDS
(up to $149)
Vanessa Abahashemi
Raju Adwaney*
John & Kathy Agee*
Inga Alanne
Carol & Glen Anderson*
Maria Paloma De Arizon & Nelson Bacalao*
Ann Behravesh
Robert & Nancy Benjamin
William Blake
Sara Blumenfeld*
Dr. Jerry L. Bohannon*
Dr. Sarah J. Bottomley
Dennis Boyle
Mark Brazzil
Kathy & Walker Brickey*
Leslie Brown
Christine Brown
Michael & Michaele Brown*
Rustin Buck*
Ian & Patricia Butler
Bronwyn Campbell*
Jacques Christoffel*
Philip Chumlea
Gary & Susan Clamurro*
Camille Converse
Steven Cowart
Chris & Delia Cowles*
Lis & Alex Crabtree*
Erick Cruz
Lesa Curry*
Benée & Chris Curtis*
Allan & Bente Davies
Dr. Ken Davis*
Clarice Droughton*
Julietta Ducote
Todd & Emma Edwards*
John & Judith Fagg
Karen Findling
Wanda Fowler*
Miguel Fuentes
Terry Gardner
Judy Gersh
Vernon Gillette*
Guillermo Gomez
John L. Graves
Lindsey Harper
Peggy Hart*
Tamara Haygood*
Mark Hempton
Kirk Hickey & William Maguire*
Mark Hoose*
Luke Howe*
Andrew Hubbard*
Maryann Ingersoll*
Brad & Alida Johnson*
Michele Joy & Tom Shahriari
Brian Knapp*
Sukejna Kovacevic
Weldon Kuretsch*
Guy Langelier*
Erwan le Gall
Kimberly Leishner
Max Macias
William & Nancy Mahley*
Rebecca Novelo
Yvette Mayes
R Scott & Rebecca McCay*
John H. Meltzer*
Susan Moore
Ana Chacon Morales
Carol & Barry Myones
The Nettletons
Joan O’Leary
Janwin Overstreet-Goode &
John Goode
Linda Pancherz*
Jehan-Francois Paris*
Jose Pastrana
Bonnie Phillips*
Ava Plummer*
Maria-Martha Powell
Patricia de Groot & Marc Puppo*
Claudia Reyes*
Frank Rigsby
Elena Lexina & Brian Rishikof
Jim Robin*
Robert & Rosanne Romero*
Stephen Ronczy*
Rachel Rose*
Leslie Saia*
WS Family
Bradley Blunt
Charles & Andrea Seay
Dorry Shaddock
Terri Siegel
Carlton Singleton
Carol & Tom Sloan*
Taylor Smith
Susan & Ed Osterberg
Richard & Joan Spaw*
GIFTS IN HONOR OR MEMORIAL
Barbara & Jim Carney, in honor of Betty Jo Diller
Carl A. Detering Jr., in honor of J. Michael Boyd
Dr. Bill Donovan, in honor of Sharon Donovan
Rev. Paul F. English, in honor of Fr. John F. Robbins, CSB
Lindsey Harper, in honor of Susan Reed
Nick Jameson, in memory of Karin Fliegel Jameson
Rosemary Malbin, in loving memory of Michael Malbin
Mrs. Audrey Moses, in honor of Robb Moses
Robert Power, in memory of William H. Power
Patricia Rathwell, in memory of Mark Rathwell
Robert Sartain, in memory of Margaret A. Reinke
Andrew Wallace, in honor of Stephen Wallace
John B. Zodrow, in honor of The Kirchner Family
Anonymous, in honor of Chandrakanta
Anonymous, in honor of Robert A. David
Listing as of November 14, 2025
Meredith & Ralph Stone
Mary Anne Stoner
Karen Sumner
Barbara J. Taake*
Boris & Vita Taksa*
Artem Tarasenko
Michelle Torres
Jose Troconis
Beatriz & Peter Varman*
Aliciades Velasquez
Alejandra Viloria Rincon
Andrew Wallace
Leone Buyse & Michael Webster
Paul & Melinda Westphal
David Wheeler
Kent & Bonnie Whitten *
Neal & Cristina Wiley
Kathleen Wilson
Edith A. Wittig
Paul & Andrea Yatsco*
Monica & Larry Ziemba
Gay & Dean Zimmerman
John & Helena Zodrow
Daniel Zotti Anonymous (81)
*Mercury Season Subscriber
We greatly appreciate each gift and have made every effort to ensure the accuracy of this listing. Please notify us of any inaccuracies or omissions at help@mercuryhouston.org.
FOUNDATIONS & CORPORATE COUNCIL
Mercury is grateful to the following foundations, government entities and Corporate Council members whose ongoing support makes our concerts, events, and music education programs possible.
CONDUCTOR’S CIRCLE
($75,000+)
Houston Endowment Inc.
Anonymous
CONCERTMASTER’S CIRCLE
($50,000 - $74,999)
The Brown Foundation, Inc.
The Cullen Trust for the Performing Arts
Houston Arts Alliance
PLATINUM CIRCLE
($25,000 - $49,999)
ConocoPhillips
South Bow
Texas Commission on the Arts
The Wyatt Foundation
GOLD CIRCLE
($15,000 - $24,999)
de Boulle Diamond & Jewelry
Miller Outdoor Theatre Advisory Board
National Endowment for the Arts
Shell Oil Company Foundation
SILVER CIRCLE
($10,000 - $14,999)
Lucius & Eva Eastman Fund
Rea Charitable Trust
South Coast Terminals
MERCURY GALA SUPPORTERS
Mercury is grateful to the following individuals and corporations who supported our 2025 Gala, “Moonlight Serenade: A Night at a 1950s Supper Club,” helping us raise funds to support our concerts and education initiatives.
COUNT BASIE
June & Steve Barth
DUKE ELLINGTON
ConocoPhillips
de Boulle Diamond & Jewelry
Gaby & Kenny Owen
Lori Muratta & Antoine Plante
Ally Shell & Martijn van Koolwijk
BILLIE HOLIDAY
Cris & Bill Jonson
GLENN MILLER
Acretio Consulting & Investments
Marsha & Michael Bourque
Meghan & Kevin Downs
Sofia & Tyler Durham
Martha & Blake Eskew |
Julie & Keith Little
Marcia & Tom Faschingbauer
Marissa & Shane Gilroy
Haynes Boone
Kirsten Jensen & David Kerley
Amy Waldorf & Lloyd Kirchner
Stacey & Al Lindseth
Neal Hamil Agency
OneLNG Inc.
Mariela & Luis Perez
Jenn Pinkerton & Michelle Reyna
German & Bonnie Ramirez
Weiner & Gardner
BRONZE CIRCLE
($5,000 - $9,999)
The Albert and Ethel Herzstein
Charitable Foundation
Arts Connect Houston
Bp Foundation
ExxonMobil Foundation
The Sartain & Tamez Family Trust Fund at the Chicago Community Foundation
Truist
TICKETS & DONORS
Mary Foster & Don Desimone
Kristine & Stephen Wallace
Betsy & Rick Weber
Annette & Knut Eriksen
Rebecca Fieler
Diane McKernan & Forrest
Lumpkin
Tatiana & Craig Massey
Carol & Joel Mohrman
Duyen & Marc Nguyen
Chris Prause
Taylor Smith
Tatiana Sorkin & Michel Coret
Ana Treviño-Godfrey
Ruben Treviño
Andrea & Paul Yatsco
ORCHESTRA & SINGERS
Antoine Plante, Conductor
Lynn Wyatt Artistic Director Chair
Betsy Cook Weber Director, Mercury Singers
VIOLIN
Jonathan Godfrey, Concertmaster
Anabel Ramírez, Asst. Concertmaster
Oleg Sulyga, Principal Second Violin
Joanna Becker
Ryan Cheng*
Lucinda Chiu
Laura Cividino
Matthew Detrick
Andrés González
Jackson Guillen
Marisa Ishikawa
Kana Kimura
Matt Lammers
Maria Lin
Manami Mizumoto
Sean O’Neal
Cristina Prats-Costa*
Emily Richardson
Jacob Schafer
Ervin Luka Sešek
Katrina Savitski
Rachel Shepard
Ariya Tai
Hannah Watson
Kirsten Yon
*Mercury-Juilliard Fellows
VIOLA
Kathleen Carrington, Principal
Amber Archibald
Matthew Carrington
Rachel Halvorsen
Matthew Weathers
Rainey Weber
CELLO
Eunghee Cho, Principal
Matthew Dudzik
Chris Ellis
Ellie Traverse Herrera
Kristiana Ignatjeva
Patrick Moore
Caroline Nicholas
Annamarie Reader
DOUBLE BASS/ VIOLINE
Deborah Dunham, Principal
Paul Ellison
Erik Gronfor
Elvis Martinez
Antoine Plante
FLUTE
David Ross, Principal
Immanuel Davis
Andrea LeBlanc
OBOE
David Dickey, Principal
Pablo Moreno
Pablo O’Connell
Margaret Owens
CLARINET
Thomas Carroll, Principal
Elise Bonhivert
BASSOON
Nate Helgeson, Principal
Georgeanne Banker
Allen Hamrick
TRUMPET
Kris Kwapis, Principal
Amanda Pepping
HORN
Todd Williams, Principal
Burke Anderson
Nate Udell
PERCUSSION/ TIMPANI
Jesús Pacheco, Principal
THEORBO/ GUITAR
Héctor Torres González, Principal
HARPSICHORD/ ORGAN
Mario Aschauer, Principal
Bryan Anderson
Brad Bennight MERCURY
SINGERS
Nicole Colby
Briana Kerner
Melissa Medina
Melanie Piché Miller
Grace Roman
Jennifer Breneman
Rachael Castillo
Stephanie Gabino Kopesky
Abigail Lysinger
Rebecca Castillo
Stephen Ash
Jared Dees
Maximillian Macias
Jorge Martinez
Zachary Brabston
Travis Falknor
Daniel Boyd
David Bruce
Michael Kessler
J.P. Williams
Josh Wilson
Michael Skarke
Cody Arthur
PIANO
Andreea Muţ
STAFF & BOARD
ADMINISTRATIVE STAFF
Brian Ritter Executive Director
Chloe Bruns Development Manager, Institutional Giving & Operations
Brittany Schroeder Marketing & Revenue Manager
Nicholas Gerling Audience Experience Manager
Katie DeVore Operations Manager
Matthew Carrington Personnel Manager & Librarian Sponsored by Rebecca Fieler
Andrés González Education Manager
Sectorlab LLC Marketing Consultant
2025-2026 BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Steve Barth, President
Keith Little, Treasurer
Rebecca Fieler, Secretary
Blake Eskew, Immediate Past President
Antoine Plante, Artistic Director
Brian Ritter, Executive Director
Marsha Bourque
Mindy Davidson
Kevin Downs
Sofia Durham
Marcia Faschingbauer
Shane Gilroy
Ginny Hart
Kirsten Jensen
Lloyd Kirchner
Forrest Lumpkin
Rose Ann Medlin
Tyler Starkel YPTC Accountant
Melanie O’Neill Melissa Taylor Graphic Designers
BEND Productions and Ben Doyle Videography
BEND Productions, Melissa Taylor, Quy Tran, and Si Vo Photography
Ken Owen
Ally Shell
James E. Smith
Ana Treviño-Godfrey
Ralf van der Ven
Stephen Wallace
Lynn Wyatt, Special Advisor
“TO SERVE THE COMMUNITY BY CELEBRATING THE POWER OF MUSIC THROUGH TEACHING, SHARING, AND PERFORMING WITH PASSION, INTIMACY, AND EXCELLENCE.”
VISION
• BE THE MOST WELCOMING AND INNOVATIVE ARTS INSTITUTION IN HOUSTON.
• BE AN EXEMPLARY PERIOD INSTRUMENT ENSEMBLE FOR THE NATION.
• TRANSFORM THE LIVES OF A DIVERSE AUDIENCE THROUGH MUSIC.