RPO BRAVO 9 (May 2-17)

ANDREAS DELFS, MUSIC DIRECTOR

JEFF TYZIK, PRINCIPAL POPS CONDUCTOR

CHRISTOPHER SEAMAN, CONDUCTOR LAUREATE

The Christopher Seaman Chair, Supported by Barbara and Patrick Fulford and The Conductor Laureate Society

IN THIS ISSUE:

The

The Orchestra 2025/26 SEASON

VIOLIN 1

Juliana Athayde, + Concertmaster

The Caroline W. Gannett & Clayla Ward Chair, funded in perpetuity

Angelina Phillips, Associate Concertmaster

The Fred M. And Lurita D. Wechsler Chair, funded in perpetuity

Shannon Nance, Assistant Concertmaster

Jeongwon An

Tigran Vardanyan

James Zabawa-Martinez

Thomas Rodgers

Anna Leunis

Molly McDonald

Kurt Munstedt

Chihiro Kakishima

Perrin Yang

Jeremy Hill

An-Chi Lin

VIOLIN 2

Jeanelle Thompson, Principal

The Dr. Ralph F. Jozefowicz Chair

Daryl Perlo, Assistant Principal

The James E. Dumm Chair, funded in perpetuity

Patricia Sunwoo

Lara Sipols

Sooyeon Kim

Petros Karapetyan

Liana Koteva Kirvan

Margaret Leenhouts

Heidi Brodwin

Elin Schlichting

Ellen Stokoe

VIOLA

Joshua Newburger, Principal

The William L. Gamble Chair, funded in perpetuity

Marc Anderson, Assistant Principal

Rebecca Christainsen

James Marshall

Olita Povero

Neil Miller

Melissa Matson

Ye In Son

David Hult

Grant Rieke

CELLO

Ahrim Kim, Principal

The Clara and Edwin Strasenburgh Chair, funded in perpetuity

Lars Kirvan, Assistant Principal

Samuel Pierce-Ruhland

Christopher Haritatos

Garri Hovsepyan

Benjamin Krug

Jennifer Carpenter^

Ingrid Bock

BASS

Cory Palmer, Principal

The Anne Hayden McQuay Chair, funded in perpetuity

Michael Griffin, Assistant Principal

Daniel Morehead

Edward Castilano

Fred Dole

Jeff Campbell+

Eric Polenik

FLUTE

Rebecca Gilbert, Principal

The Charlotte Whitney Allen Chair, funded in perpetuity

Sean Marron

Elise Kim

PICCOLO

Sean Marron

Elise Kim

OBOE

Erik Behr, Principal

The Dr. Jacques M. Lipson Chair, funded in perpetuity

Anna Steltenpohl

Megan Kyle

ENGLISH HORN

Anna Steltenpohl

CLARINET

Hector Noriega, Principal

The Robert J. Strasenburgh Chair, funded in perpetuity

Kamalia Freyling^

Andrew Brown

E-FLAT CLARINET

Kamalia Freyling^

BASS CLARINET

Andrew Brown

BASSOON

Karl Vilcins

Martha Sholl

CONTRABASSOON

Karl Vilcins

HORN

YiCheng Gong, Associate Principal/Utility

Maura McCune Corvington

Nathan Ukens

Stephen Laifer

TRUMPET

Wesley Nance

Herbert Smith

Paul Shewan

TROMBONE

David Bruestle, Principal

The Austin E. Hildebrandt Chair, funded in perpetuity

Lisa Albrecht

Jeffrey Gray

BASS TROMBONE

Jeffrey Gray

TUBA

W. Craig Sutherland, Principal

The Rob W. Goodling Chair, funded in perpetuity

TIMPANI

Charles Ross, Principal

The Harold and Joan Feinbloom Chair, funded in perpetuity

PERCUSSION

Caleb Breidenbaugh, Principal

The Marie-Merrill and George M. Ewing Chair, funded in perpetuity

Brian Stotz

HARP

Grace Browning , Principal

The Eileen Malone Chair. A Tribute to Mr. and Mrs. Harcourt M. Sylvester

Rosanna Moore

KEYBOARD

Chiao-Wen Cheng +, Principal

The Lois P. Lines Chair, funded in perpetuity

PERSONNEL MANAGER

Fred Dole

PRINCIPAL LIBRARIAN

Kimberly Hartquist

Kathalee & Ian Hodge Library

Operation Endowment

STAGE MANAGERS

Danielle Suhr

Cederick Martinez

+ Eastman faculty

^ Year leave of absence

* 1-year appointment

ANDREAS DELFS Music Director

Andreas Delfs has built a reputation over his 35-year career as one of the most dynamic and respected conductors on the international stage. Celebrated for his visionary leadership and deep musical insight, he is equally renowned as a masterful orchestra builder and an inspiring music director. Known for his emotionally charged and dramatically nuanced interpretations—particularly of the late Romantic repertoire—Delfs has earned critical acclaim across North America and Europe. His performances are marked by an ever-deepening artistic maturity, bringing a rare combination of passion, precision, and authenticity to every podium he graces.

Educated at leading conservatories on both sides of the Atlantic and shaped by mentorships with legendary conductors, Delfs has cultivated a style forged through decades of experience. At the same time, his unwavering curiosity and enthusiasm for contemporary music have made him a champion of living composers. He has established lasting collaborations with many of today’s most compelling musical voices, conducting numerous world premieres and commissioning new works. Among his many artistic inspirations are Hans Werner Henze, György Ligeti, Philip Glass, and Roberto Sierra—composers whose diverse idioms have helped shape his unique interpretive voice. His artistry has also drawn world-class soloists to the stage, including André Watts, Emanuel Ax, Joshua Bell, Hilary Hahn, Yo-Yo Ma, Lang Lang, and Renée Fleming.

Delfs has held prominent leadership roles with orchestras on both continents. As Music Director of the Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra from 1996 to 2009—and later as its Conductor Laureate—he played a pivotal role in elevating the ensemble to national acclaim. He also led the Saint Paul Chamber Orchestra as Music Director (2001–2004) and Artistic Consultant (2004–2006). In Europe, he served as General Music Director of Hanover, Germany (1995–2000), overseeing both the city’s symphony orchestra and its distinguished opera company. Earlier appointments include Music Director of the Bern Opera, Resident Conductor of the Pittsburgh Symphony during Lorin Maazel’s tenure, and Music Director—at an impressively young age—of the Orchestre Suisse des Jeunes.

Throughout his career, Delfs has conducted many of the world’s premier orchestras. His international credits include the London Philharmonic, Royal Philharmonic, Frankfurt Radio Symphony, Leipzig Gewandhaus Orchestra, Tonhalle Orchestra Zurich, Danish National Symphony, Netherlands Philharmonic, NHK Symphony Orchestra Tokyo, Philadelphia Orchestra, San Francisco Symphony, Los Angeles Philharmonic, Sydney Symphony, Beijing Symphony, Seoul Philharmonic, and the National Symphony Orchestra of Taiwan.

Born in Flensburg, Germany, Delfs began studying piano and music theory at the age of five. He studied under Christoph von Dohnányi and Aldo Ceccato at the Hamburg Conservatory, where, at just 20 years old, he became the youngest Music Director of the Hamburg University Orchestra and served as Musical Assistant at the Hamburg State Opera. He later continued his training at The Juilliard School, studying with Jorge Mester, Sixten Ehrling, and Leonard Bernstein, and was honored with the prestigious Bruno Walter Memorial Scholarship.

PHOTO: ALEX CASSETTI

Our Conductors

JEFF TYZIK Principal Pops Conductor

25/26 marks Jeff Tyzik’s 32nd season as RPO Pops Conductor. But his musical journey began long before his permanent residency in Kodak Hall.

Born in Hyde Park, New York, he started playing cornet at age nine—inspired by the buglers during an Independence Day parade in nearby Poughkeepsie. He switched to trumpet at age 11, and eventually went on to attend Rochester’s Eastman School of Music, ultimately earning Bachelor of Music and Master of Music degrees.

Even before Tyzik’s schooling was completed, his star was on the rise. While at Eastman, Tyzik met Chuck Mangione, with whom he worked between 1973 and 1980 —both as lead trumpeter in Mangione’s band and as co-producer of four albums. During that time, Tyzik befriended Tonight Show band leader Doc Severinsen, who eventually invited Tyzik to London to record two albums. That relationship proved fruitful, with Tyzik producing the Grammy-winning The Tonight Show Band with Doc Severinsen, Vol. 1. Severinsen’s albums with Tyzik would go on to earn three additional Grammy nominations.

Tyzik also recorded his own albums as a solo trumpeter between 1981 and 1990, when he and his big band frequently performed in Rochester.

In 1993, Tyzik proposed a four-concert series featuring RPO members dubbed “All in the Family.” The first debuted Oct. 22 and highlighted Kenneth Grant (clarinet), Joseph Werner (piano), and percussionists William Cahn and Dave Mancini. Less than a month later, Tyzik was asked to become Principal Pops Conductor.

Jeff quickly made his mark on the orchestra, in his second season performing the first in his endearing, enduring Gala Holiday Pops series. He also made RPO history conducting an all-Gershwin album featuring pianist Jon Nakamatsu. The recording topped the Billboard Classical chart and remained in the top 10 for three months.

Over five decades, Tyzik has guest-conducted more than 100 orchestras, including the Boston Pops, Cincinnati Pops, and Milwaukee Symphony. In September 2023, he made his debut with the New York Philharmonic and returned later that season to conduct the Philadelphia Orchestra’s 2023–24 finale.

He’s also shared the stage with a remarkable range of artists across genres—from Tony Bennett and Leslie Odom Jr. to Wynonna Judd, Art Garfunkel, Marilyn Horne, Arturo Sandoval, The Chieftains, Megan Hilty, Dawn Upshaw, and John Pizzarelli.

In 2012, Tyzik and his daughter Jami co-founded the management and production company Greenberg Artists. Since 2016, in partnership with Schirmer Theatrical, they’ve developed dozens of orchestral Pops programs now performed by nearly 200 orchestras.

In 2023, Tyzik launched TyzikMusic.com, a digital publishing platform featuring more than 150 of his arrangements, orchestrations, and compositions for symphony orchestra, chamber ensembles, and wind ensemble.

CHRISTOPHER SEAMAN Conductor Laureate

The Christopher Seaman Chair, supported by Barbara and Patrick Fulford and The Conductor Laureate Society

Christopher Seaman was music director of the RPO from 1998-2011, and was subsequently named conductor laureate. During his 13-year tenure, the longest in RPO history, he raised the Orchestra’s artistic level, broadened its audience base, and created a new concert series. This contribution was recognized with an award from the American Society of Composers, Authors, and Publishers. In May 2009, the University of Rochester made him an honorary doctor of music.

Previous positions include music director of the Naples Philharmonic Orchestra (Florida) for 10 years, conductor-in-residence with the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra, and artistic advisor of the San Antonio Symphony.

He is recognized for his wealth of repertoire, which ranges from baroque to contemporary, and in particular the works of Bruckner, Brahms, and Sibelius Seaman also is highly regarded for his work with younger musicians, and he served as course director for the Symphony Services International Conductor Development Program (Australia) for many years.

Recent conducting engagements include the Aspen Music Festival, Detroit, Houston, St. Louis, Cincinnati, Milwaukee, and Seattle symphony orchestras; the Warsaw Philharmonic Orchestra, Kristians Symphony Orchestra, Orchestra of Opera North, and Orquestra Filarmônica de Minas Gerais in Brazil. He frequently visits Australia and Asia where he has conducted the Hong Kong Philharmonic Orchestra and the National Taiwan, Sydney, Melbourne, Adelaide, and Singapore symphony orchestras, among others.

RPO Board of Directors 2025/26 SEASON

DIANA

CLARKSON, CHAIR OF THE BOARD

Maintaining and operating the Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra (Founded in 1923 —Incorporated in 1930)

OFFICERS

Diana Clarkson, Esq., Chair of the Board

Katherine Lindahl, Chair-Elect of the Board

Cindy Yancey, Vice Chair of the Board

Karen Kessler, Secretary

Richard Stein, Treasurer

Ross P. Lanzafame, Esq., Immediate Past Chair

TERM EXPIRES

JUNE 2026

Daisy R. Algarin

Diana Clarkson, Esq.

George Daddis

Catherine Frangenberg

Allyson Hiranandani

Dr. Diane Lu

Sujatha Ramanujan

Elizabeth F. Rice

Ronald E. Salluzzo

Dr. Eva P. Sauer

George J. Schwartz, M.D.

Richard Stein

Dr. James Watters

TERM EXPIRES

JUNE 2027

Brian Bennett

Emerson Fullwood

Paulette Gissendanner

Catherine Gueli

Zuzanna Kwon

Katherine Lindahl

Jack McGowan

Sidney Sobel, M.D.

Cindy Yancey

TERM EXPIRES

JUNE 2028

Ron Dougherty

Sreeram Dhurjaty

James Fulmer

Laurie A. Haelen

Ralph F. Jozefowicz. M.D.

Karen Kessler

Deborah Onslow

Sara Poe

Joseph B. Rizzo, Esq.

EX-OFFICIO

Curtis S. Long President & CEO

Ross P. Lanzafame, Esq., Immediate Past Chair

Kate Sheeran

Dean, Eastman School of Music

Nathan Ukens

Orchestra Representative

Wesley Nance

Orchestra Representative

James Englert

Chairperson, Honorary Board

HONORARY BOARD

James Englert, Chairperson, Honorary Board

Stephen B. Ashley

Nancy Beilfuss*

James M. Boucher

Paul W. Briggs*

William L. Cahn

Louise Epstein

Joan Feinbloom

Ilene Flaum

Betsy Friedman

Patrick Fulford

Ronald A. Furman*

Mary M. Gooley*

Suzanne Gouvernet*

David C. Heiligman

A. Thomas Hildebrandt

Harold A. Kurland, Esq.

Dr. Dawn F. Lipson

Jacques M. Lipson, MD*

Cricket and Frank Luellen*

Michael Millard

Elizabeth F. Rice

Nathan J. Robfogel, Esq.

Jon L. Schumacher, Esq.

Katherine T. Schumacher

Ingrid Stanlis

Betty Strasenburgh*

Josephine S. Trubek

Suzanne D. Welch

Patricia Wilder*

Deborah Wilson

Robert Woodhouse

The RPO expresses its gratitude to all those who have served as Honorary Board members in the past.

PAST RPO CHAIRPERSONS

1930–32: Edward G. Miner*

1932–34: Simon N. Stein*

1934–38: George E. Norton*

1938–41: Leroy E. Snyder*

1941–42: Frank W. Lovejoy*

1942–43: Bernard E. Finucane*

1943–46: L. Dudley Field*

1946–48: Edward S. Farrow, Jr. *

1948–51: Joseph J. Myler*

1951–52: Joseph F. Taylor*

1952–55: Raymond W. Albright*

1955–57: Arthur I. Stern*

1957–59: Thomas H. Hawks*

1959–61: Walter C. Strakosh*

1962–63: Ernest J. Howe*

1963–65: O. Cedric Rowntree*

1965–67: Frank E. Holley *

1967–69: Thomas C. Taylor*

1969–71: Thomas H. Miller*

1971–72: Mrs. Frederick J. Wilkens*

1972–73: Edward C. McIrvine

1973–74: Robert J. Strasenburgh*

1974–75: John A. Santuccio

1975–76: Robert J. Strasenburgh*

1976–78: Dr. Louis Lasagna*

1978–80: Edward C. McIrvine

1980–82: Peter L. Faber

1982–84: Paul F. Pagerey*

1984–85: Peter L. Waasdorp*

1986–89: Robert H. Hurlbut*

1989–91: Paul W. Briggs

1991–93: Karen Noble Hanson*

1993–95: Ronald E. Salluzzo

1995–98: A. Thomas Hildebrandt

1998–00: Harold A. Kurland, Esq.

2000–04: David C. Heiligman

2004–06: Ingrid A. Stanlis

2006–09: James M. Boucher

2009–11: Suzanne D. Welch

2011–13: Elizabeth F. Rice

2013–15: Dr. Dawn F. Lipson

2015-17: Jules L. Smith, Esq.

2017-19: Ingrid A. Stanlis

2019-2024: Ross P. Lanzafame, Esq.

* Deceased

SEASON & SERIES SPONSORS:

SPONSOR

POPS SERIES SPONSORS

SPONSOR

ORKIDSTRA

SPONSOR

RPYO SPONSOR

HOLIDAY SPONSOR

RPO FOR ALL SPONSOR

SEASON

SPONSORS

GOVERNMENT SUPPORT:

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SAT MAY 2

7:30 PM

WEST HERR

AUDITORIUM

THEATRE

Lucas Waldin, conductor

LaKisha Jones, vocals

Nova Y. Payton, vocals

Armando Imagines, vocals

Disco Inferno

I Want to Take You Higher

Nutbush City Limits

What’s Love Got To Do With It

Let’s Stay Together

We Don’t Need Anoter Hero

Goldeneye

All Night Long (All Night)

Private Dancer

River Deep, Mountain High

INTERMISSION

Music from Tommy

It Takes Two/Tonight/It’s Only Love

Son Of A Preacher Man

Living For The City

The Best (Simply The Best)

Beatles Medley

Proud Mary

We kindly ask you to please silence all cellphones and electronic devices. Also, please note that photography and video recordings are prohibited during the performance.

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THE MUSIC OF TINA TURNER

ARTISTS

LUCAS WALDIN, conductor

Lucas Waldin is a dynamic and versatile conductor whose performances have delighted audiences across North America. He has collaborated with some of today’s most exciting artists including Carly Rae Jepsen, Ben Folds, The Canadian Brass and Buffy Sainte-Marie, in addition to conducting presentations such as Disney in Concert, Blue Planet Live, Cirque de la Symphony, and the groundbreaking symphonic debut of R&B duo Dvsn as part of the global Red Bull Music Festival.

Waldin has been a guest conductor for numerous orchestras in the U.S. and Canada, including the Cleveland Orchestra, the Houston Symphony, the Dallas Symphony, the Grant Park Festival Orchestra, the St. Louis Symphony, the Seattle Symphony, the Baltimore Symphony, the Vancouver Symphony, the Calgary Philharmonic and the Toronto Symphony.

Having joined the Edmonton Symphony Orchestra as Resident Conductor in 2009, Waldin was subsequently appointed Artist-in-Residence and Community Ambassador - the first position of its kind in North America. He appeared with the ESO over 150 times and conducted in Carnegie Hall during the orchestra’s participation in the 2012 Spring for Music festival. In recognition of his accomplishments, he was awarded the Jean-Marie Beaudet Award in Orchestral Conducting and received a Citation Award from the City of Edmonton for outstanding achievements in arts and culture.

A native of Toronto, Canada, Waldin holds degrees in flute and conducting from the Cleveland Institute of Music.

LAKISHA JONES, vocals

Best known to millions of TV viewers as a top four finalist during the 2007 season of “American Idol,” LaKisha Jones is ready to reclaim center stage in music, theatre and television. Her last album, “So Glad I’m Me” was full of Jones’ expressive, full-bodied and arresting vocals, the same voice that electrified “American Idol” viewers with the “Dream girls” showstopper “And I Am Telling You” and later the Broadway stage in the Oprah Winfrey produced, Tony Award-winning musical, “The Color Purple.” Following her Broadway stint, Jones provided vocal coaching on MTV’s reality competition “Legally Blonde: The Search for Elle Woods,” a show designed to find and hone Broadway’s next star.

Her drive and motivation dates back to her childhood in Flint, Michigan. Raised by her mother and grandmother, Jones was exposed to music by legendary singers such as Whitney Houston, Aretha Franklin and Patti LaBelle, with her grandmother urging the young girl to “let your voice shine” thereby prompting Jones to sing in church choirs, music programs, chorale groups and acapella choruses throughout high school.

A frequent soloist with symphony around the world, Ms. Jones has performed as a guest soloist with the National Symphony, San Diego Symphony, Utah Symphony and Opera, Winnipeg Symphony, Evansville Philharmonic, Jacksonville Symphony, Minnesota Orchestra, Colorado Symphony, Grand Rapids Symphony, Reno Philharmonic, Houston Symphony, Cleveland Orchestra, Anchorage Symphony Orchestra, Phoenix Symphony, Vancouver Symphony, Calgary Symphony, Tucson Symphony, Oregon Symphony, Long Bay Symphony, Battle Creek Symphony, Windham Chamber Singers and the Festival Cesky Krumlov in the Czech Republic.

LUCAS WALDIN

LAKISHA JONES

ARTISTS

NOVA Y. PAYTON, vocals

Chances are that you’ve heard the amazing soprano voice of Nova Y. Payton in internationally staged musicals, on PBS in one of the specials with The American Pops Orchestra or 3 Mo’ Divas or in countless regional theatre productions across the country. Boasting a prolific catalog of artist collaborations, the former American Musical and Dramatic Academy (AMDA) student has shared the stage with Stevie Wonder, Roberta Flack, Levi Kreis, Bobby McFerrin, John Michael Higgins, Yolanda Adams, Betsy Wolfe, Michael Uris, Anthony Hamilton, and Michelle Williams. She has also opened for heavyweights like Ashford and Simpson, Will Downing, Stephanie Mills, Melba Moore, The Chi-Lites and the Dramatics. Nova has performed in over 150 major cities in the US, as well as Canada, Japan, Singapore, Saudi Arabia, and Europe.

Nova has been recognized with nominations and awards for her talents.  Nova starred in a soul-stirring rendition of Effie White in Dreamgirls, which earned her the 2006 Barrymore nomination for Outstanding Leading Actress in a Musical.  The DVD / CD for 3 Mo’ Divas received a 2010 NAACP nomination for Outstanding Duo, Group or Collaboration. In 2012, Nova was honored as the Helen Hayes Award Recipient as the Best Supporting Actress in a Resident Musical for her portrayal of MotorMouth Maybelle in Hairspray.  For her performance as Effie White in Dreamgirls during the 2012-2013 season at Signature Theatre, Nova was nominated for the Helen Hayes Award for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Resident Musical. In 2015, Nova was nominated for Best Supporting Actress (Musical) for her role in Elmer Gantry.  She was also nominated in 2018 for Lead Actress (Musical) in Caroline, Or Change and Supporting Actress (Musical) in Ragtime.

Other honors have come in the form of singing for President Biden and Vice President Harris and performing the National Anthem at the dedication of the Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial live as the world watched on C-SPAN.  Nova has also appeared on the Jimmy Fallon latenight talk show accompanying artist Glen Hansard. Most recently in 2022 alone, Nova starred in Grace The Musical, The Color Purple, Into The Woods, and Fela!

ARMANDO IMAGINES, vocals

A Bronx native, Armando Imagines is a dynamic force in music, television, and film, known for his versatile talents as a singer, actor, dancer, and writer. Armando has graced stages alongside music legends like Paul McCartney, Alicia Keys, Michael Bolton, Lionel Richie, Missy Elliott, Gwen Stefani, Jason Derulo, Luis Fonsi, and Prince Royce. His performances have captivated audiences in iconic venues such as Madison Square Garden and Radio City Music Hall and at high-profile events like the MTV Music Awards, The Brit Awards, and The Latin Grammys. He has also made a striking orchestral debut, performing with Amie Doherty and Orchestra for the premiere of the hit TV series POWER

In television, Armando has brought such characters to life as Hector in NBC’s Prodigal Son alongside Michael Sheen and Tom Payne, or as Resonance, the reggaeton sensation, in ABC’s Queens. Most recently, he starred as Rufus, the health-food fanatic coach, in Disney’s The Mighty Ducks: Game Changers, with appearances in hit series like NCIS: Hawaii and 911: Lonestar.

Armando’s passion for storytelling extends beyond acting. Between roles, he crafts his own creative projects, including Die Laughing, an original short film he wrote and will be starring in. Currently, he’s developing a TV series about a pop star finding fame at 40—a project that showcases his creative talents not just as a writer, but as an actor, singer, and musician. Armando’s work reflects his dedication to telling compelling stories through music and performance that resonate with authenticity and artistry.

NOVA Y. PAYTON ARMANDO IMAGINES

MAY 7 7 PM SAT MAY 9

7:30 PM

KODAK HALL AT EASTMAN

THEATRE

Lan Shui, conductor Wu Man, pipa

JOHN ADAMS The Chairman Dances 12:00

ZHAO JIPING Pipa Concerto No. 2 20:30

INTERMISSION

GABRIEL FAURE Pelléas et Mélisande Suite 18:00 Prelude The Spinner The Death of Melisande

RAVEL La Valse 13:00

SEASON SPONSOR:

CONCERT

SPONSORS:

OFFICIAL COFFEE OF THE RPO

We kindly ask you to please silence all cellphones and electronic devices. Also, please note that photography and video recordings are prohibited during the performance.

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PHOTO: DAVID BAZEMORE

PHOTO: IVAN MALY

ARTISTS

LAN SHUI, conductor

Lan Shui is renowned for his abilities as an orchestral builder and for his passion in commissioning, premiering, and recording new works by leading composers from Asia and elsewhere on the international contemporary orchestral scene.

Shui served as the Music Director of the Singapore Symphony Orchestra from 1997 to 2019, playing a central role in raising the orchestra’s international profile, with American Record Review noting that Shui “turned a good regional orchestra into a world-class ensemble that plays its heart out at every concert”. Lan Shui has the Singapore Symphony on excellent form throughout, proving very responsive to the music’s physicality and character. They made several acclaimed tours of Europe, Asia, and the United States and appeared for the first time at the BBC Proms in September 2014. As of January 2019, Shui has been appointed the Singapore Symphony Orchestra’s Conductor Laureate. He also held the position of Chief Conductor of the Copenhagen Philharmonic from 2007 to 2015, currently serving as the orchestra’s Honorary Conductor. From January 2019, he is the Principal Guest Conductor of the Taiwan Symphony Orchestra and from September 2024 the Artist Advisor of China National Symphony Orchestra.

In the United States, he has appeared with the Los Angeles Philharmonic, San Francisco Symphony, and the Baltimore and Detroit Symphony Orchestras. In Europe, he has performed with the Deutsches Symphonie-Orchester Berlin, hr-Sinfonieorchester, Danish National Symphony Orchestra, RadioSinfonieorchester Stuttgart des SWR, Deutsche Radio Philharmonie, Gothenburg Symphony, Orchestre National de France, Royal Swedish Orchestra, and Orchestre National de Lille. 2025/26 season sees his returns to Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra and Dresdner Musikfestspiele where he will conduct Verdi’s Requiem. In Asia, he has conducted the Hong Kong, Malaysian, and Japan Philharmonic Orchestras and maintains close relationships with the China and Hangzhou Philharmonic Orchestras, as well as the Shanghai and Guangzhou Symphony Orchestras.

LAN SHUI

ARTISTS

WU MAN, pipa

Recognized as the world’s premier pipa virtuoso, Wu Man is a soloist, educator, and composer who gives her lute-like instrument—which has a history of more than 2,000 years in China—a new role in both traditional and contemporary music. She has premiered hundreds of new works for the pipa, while spearheading multimedia projects to both preserve and create global awareness of China’s ancient musical traditions. Projects she has initiated have resulted in the pipa finding a place in new solo and quartet works, concertos, opera, chamber, electronic, and jazz music as well as in theater productions, film, dance, and collaborations with visual artists. She has performed in recital and with major orchestras around the world, and is a frequent collaborator with ensembles such as the Kronos and Shanghai Quartets and The Knights, and is a founding member of the Silkroad Ensemble. She has appeared on nearly 50 recordings, including numerous Grammy Award-winning and -nominated albums.

In the 2025–26 season, Wu Man appears worldwide in pipa performances and premieres. As Artist-inResidence with the Shanghai Symphony Orchestra, she performs three concertos written for her: Zhao Jiping’s Pipa Concerto No. 2 with Music Director Long Yu in the opening concert, Lou Harrison’s Concerto for Pipa and String Orchestra, and the Chinese premiere of Du Yun’s Ears of the Book. She also performs these works in North America—Harrison’s with The Knights at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, Zhao’s with the Hawaii Symphony led by Dane Lam and the Toronto Symphony with Carolyn Kuan, and Du Yun’s with the Philadelphia Orchestra, a co-commissioner, conducted by Elim Chan. Wu Man premiered Du Yun’s concerto in 2024 with The Knights at Carnegie Hall, later performing it with the Detroit Symphony.

She joins the Kronos Quartet twice this season: in the fall at Cal Performances for Beyond the Golden Gate, exploring the impact of Chinese Americans on American culture with premieres by Dai Wei and Victoria Shen alongside works by Nicole Lizée, Angélica Negrón, and a traditional piece arranged by Jonathan Berger; and in the spring at Zankel Hall for a semi-staged exploration of Indigenous, Gullah-Geechee, and Chinese American histories as part of Carnegie Hall’s United in Sound: America at 250 festival, performing new music by Dai Wei and joining a panel on Chinese American civil and immigrant rights.

Wu Man also tours the East Coast with members of the Silkroad Ensemble in American Railroad, honoring the contributions of Chinese, Irish, African American, and other immigrant communities to the Transcontinental Railroad, with new works by Wu Man, Cécile McLorin Salvant, Michael Abels, and Layale Chaker, and re-envisioned folk songs by Rhiannon Giddens, Haruka Fujii, and Maeve Gilchrist.

Born in Hangzhou, China, Wu Man studied at the Central Conservatory of Music in Beijing, where she became the first recipient of a master’s degree in pipa. At age 13, she was recognized as a child prodigy and a national role model for young pipa players. In 2023, Wu Man was honored with both a National Heritage Fellowship from the National Endowment of the Arts (NEA), one of the United States’ most prestigious honors in folk and traditional art; and with the Asia Society’s Asia Arts Game Changers Award. Wu Man is Musical America’s 2013 “Instrumentalist of the Year,” marking the first time this prestigious award has been bestowed on a player of a non-Western instrument. She is a Visiting Professor at her alma mater the Central Conservatory of Music in Beijing and a Distinguished Professor at the Zhejiang and the Xi’an Conservatories.  In 2021 she received an honorary Doctorate of Music from the New England Conservatory of Music.

WU MAN

KUANDI STUDIO

PROGRAM NOTES

JOHN ADAMS

The Chairman Dances: Foxtrot for Orchestra

B. WORCESTER, MASSACHUSETTS, USA

February 15, 1947

In the 1980s, American post-minimalist composer John Adams was running behind on a commissioned work for the Milwaukee Symphony. But he was working on new material, music for his first opera, Nixon in China. He was excitedly writing the opera’s final scene, where Madame Mao—the first lady of China—interrupts a formal state banquet and starts dancing a seductive foxtrot. In a bit of surrealism, Chairman Mao, founder of the People’s Republic of China, steps out of his forty-foot portrait to join her. (This moment was altered for the final version of the opera.) Adams saw potential in the material as a standalone orchestral work and reworked it for the commission. The Milwaukee Symphony premiered it in 1986, a teaser before Nixon in China got its much-touted premiere at the Houston Grand Opera in 1987. Adams wrote that the music draws upon Madame Mao’s past as a movie actress, and explains that “Themes, sometimes slinky and sentimental, at other times bravura and bounding, ride above in a bustling fabric of energized motives. Some of these themes make a dreamy reappearance in Act III of the actual opera, en revenant, as both the Nixons and Maos reminisce over their distant pasts.”

ZHAO JIPING

Pipa Concerto No. 2

B. PINGLIANG, GANSU PROVINCE, CHINA

August 1945

East and West collide in this concerto for pipa, a four-stringed traditional Chinese instrument resembling a lute. The instrument is more than merely decorative in Wu Man’s hands; it’s a virtuosic tool that plucks, bends, and slides with wide vibrato. And its tings and twangs can easily cut through and sing out against a full orchestra. Chinese composer Zhao Jiping, known for his film score work in China, tailored the concerto to Man, who premiered it with the Sydney Symphony Orchestra in 2013. Jiping explained the work in program notes: “I see the piece not so much as a traditional Western concerto, but more an exploration of poetic expression of thoughts and emotions, able to stimulate many levels of the audience’s imagination. The orchestra and Wu Man are the canvas, and I have the privilege to paint the picture. My goal was to create a pipa concerto with a strong Chinese flavor combined with a sense of global musical language. The movements represent various expressions in different textures and tempos; these are inspired by the most elegant Chinese traditional music style, pingtan, from Wu Man’s hometown in the Suhong area.”

PROGRAM NOTES

GABRIEL FAURÉ

Pelléas et Mélisande

B. PAMIERS, ARIÈGE, FRANCE

May 12, 1845

D. PARIS, FRANCE

November 4, 1924

Pelléas et Mélisande is most significantly known as an interior, atmospheric opera by the French Impressionist composer Claude Debussy. But the story wasn’t original to the opera, and Debussy wasn’t the only composer to be brought into its sphere. The source is a nineteenth-century lyric drama by Belgian playwright Maurice Maeterlinck with poetry-like prose, obscure dialogue, and stuttering phrases. It is considered one of the great theatrical works of the symbolist movement, which rejected realism and found meaning in metaphor and subjective experience. Debussy was hard at work on the opera when Maeterlinck needed quick incidental music to feature between acts for the play’s London premiere in 1898. Another French composer, Gabriel Fauré, was coincidentally also in London at the time and received the commission. But it was a quick turnaround. To expedite things, Fauré borrowed what is now the famous sicilienne from an earlier, unfinished score and asked one of his students to orchestrate the music’s themes and formal plan (i.e., divvy up the musical lines and harmonies among the ensemble’s instruments). The commission came right as Fauré’s fortunes were improving: he had recently been appointed as professor of composition at the Paris Conservatory, a position for which he was earlier rejected. By 1905, he would serve as its director and overhaul its curriculum for the twentieth century.

The story of Maeterlinck’s play is a fateful love triangle. Prince Golaud finds a young girl, Mélisande, in the forest, fleeing a mysterious past. He takes her to his family’s castle and marries her quickly. But Mélisande and Golaud’s brother, Pelléas, develop a strong connection and suffer the fatal consequences when Golaud suspects them and, near the play’s end, discovers them in love. More atmospheric than direct, Fauré similarly aimed to capture the play’s moods, and from the incidental music, Fauré created an orchestral suite of four movements. The opening “Prélude” is reserved yet inquisitive, much like the character Mélisande. Golaud enters with a horn call. The second movement, “Fileuse,” depicts a spinning wheel (spun by Mélisande in the play) with swirling triplets in the strings and a melody led by the oboe, a childlike movement that introduces a scene where Golaud’s son from a prior wife has an intuition about Pelléas and Mélisande’s fate. The most recognizable movement is the third, the “Sicilienne,” a swaying movement that opens with flute and harp and represents the mystical connection shared between the lovers. The final movement, “La mort de Mélisande,” opens with a flute and clarinet lament and marches the lovers to their tragic destiny, offering momentary glimpses of their love before ending reflectively.

PROGRAM NOTES

MAURICE RAVEL

La Valse

B. CIBOURE, BASSES-PYRÉNÉES, FRANCE

March 7, 1875

D. PARIS, FRANCE

December 28, 1937

Originally conceived as a tribute to Johann Strauss II—the “Waltz King” of “Blue Danube” fame—Ravel’s La Valse, written in 1919 and 1920, became a sardonic take on the Viennese Waltz tradition. Many think Ravel’s views of nineteenthcentury pageantries likely shifted after World War I, and with it, his plan for this waltz. It was also originally commissioned as a ballet for the Ballets Russes, but its founder, Serge Diaghilev, didn’t find it balletic enough and ultimately rejected it. But La Valse did eventually get choreographed, first by the Royal Flemish Opera Ballet in 1926 and later by George Balanchine and Frederick Ashton. It exists most popularly today as a concert work.

On the score, Ravel introduces the scene: “At first the scene is limned by a kind of swirling mist through which one discerns, vaguely and intermittently, the waltzing couples. Little by little the vapors begin to disperse, and the illumination grows brighter, revealing an immense ballroom filled with dancers. The blaze of the chandeliers comes to full splendor. An Imperial Ballet about 1855.” The music opens uncertainly until the waltz melody emerges schmaltzily from the strings and is underscored by strangely rambling instruments. Following the waltz theme, Ravel passes material from one instrumental group to another in a circus-like fashion, always bathing it in colorful textures. But chaos erupts as the waltz is torn apart and the dance party comes to a cymbal-crashing end.

Program notes © 2026 Anna Reguero, PhD

SUN MAY 17

2 PM

HOCHSTEIN PERFORMANCE HALL

Austin Chanu, conductor

ROCHESTER CITY BALLET

Shannon Purpura, executive director

Megan Kamler, artistic director

John Deming, ballet master

Timothy Draper, founder/choreographer

MIKHAIL GLINKA

EDVARD GRIEG

PIOTR ILYICH

Ruslan and Lyudmila Overture 5:30

Morning Mood from Peer Gynt 3:45

Valse from The Sleeping Beauty 3:30 TCHAIKOVSKY

SERGEI Five Études-tableaux 3:00

RACHMANINOFF

Little Red Riding Hood and the Wolf (ORCH. RESPIGHI)

ALAN MENKEN

Beauty and the Beast Overture 3:00 (ARR./ORCH. KOSARIN/ BESTERMAN)

MAURICE RAVEL

Mother Goose Suite 16:00

Pavane of the Sleeping Beauty

Tom Thumb

Laideronette, Empress of the Pagodas Conversations of Beauty and the Beast The Enchanted Garden

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ARTISTS

AUSTIN CHANU, conductor

Hailed as “one of the great talents in the USA at the moment” by Yannick Nézet-Séguin, Brazilian-American conductor Austin Chanu has earned recognition as a three time recipient of the Career Assistance Award from the Solti Foundation U.S., and as the third prize and orchestra prize winner in the Korean National Symphony Orchestra International Conducting Competition.

In the 25-26 season, Austin will make debuts with The Syracuse Orchestra, the Qatar Philharmonic Orchestra, and the Johns Creek Symphony Orchestra. He has also been named a finalist in The Mahler Competition 2026 and will compete in June conducting the Bamberger Symphoniker. In recent seasons, he has appeared as a guest conductor with The Philadelphia Orchestra, Baltimore Symphony Orchestra, Filarmonica Banatul Timișoara, St. Louis Symphony Orchestra, Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra, Omaha Symphony, and Butler County Symphony Orchestra.

Austin recently completed his tenure as the Assistant Conductor of The Philadelphia Orchestra, where he assisted Music Director Yannick Nézet-Séguin. During this time, he co-lead a project to restore, rebuild, and elevate the underperformed works of American composer William Grant Still. He helped create and conducted the world premiere of a newly restored edition of Still’s Wood Notes.

Austin made his subscription debut with The Philadelphia Orchestra conducting Igor Stravinsky’s The Rite of Spring. Critics commended his interpretation saying, “the orchestra never sounded better as Chanu led with primal energy and shamanistic insight into the music…the orchestra matched Chanu’s confident leadership in a performance of searing energy and heart-thumping passion” (Broad Street Review).

Austin has a passion for contemporary music, stemming from his own background as a composer. He served as a teaching artist and conductor for the LA Philharmonic Association’s Associate Composer Program, as well as a Conducting Fellow at the Cabrillo Festival of Contemporary Music, where he studied with conductor Cristian Măcelaru. He was commissioned by the Eastman School of Music to compose an orchestral work for the school’s centennial celebration and conducted its world premiere in the Fall of 2021.

Previously, Austin was Music Director for the Los Angeles Music and Art School, where he conducted and developed the artistic direction for the youth orchestra, choirs, and jazz band. Austin found it rewarding to draw on his Latino heritage to foster representation for the predominantly Latinx students and families in the program through repertoire selection.

In addition to his orchestral background, Austin has extensive experience in jazz and musical theatre styles. While living in Los Angeles, he was a high-call woodwind performer for musical pit orchestras and jazz ensembles.

Austin received a B.M. in Music Composition from the USC Thornton School of Music, graduating Magna cum Laude. He also graduated from the Eastman School of Music with an M.M. and DMA in Orchestral Conducting.

AUSTIN CHANU

ARTISTS

SHANNON PURPURA, executive director

Shannon Purpura received her dance training in Rochester, NY. In high school, she performed alongside RCB in notable roles that include Lead Spanish Hot Chocolate in The Nutcracker, Daniel Gwirtzman’s Encore, and George Balanchine’s Serenade

After training, Ms. Purpura attended the University of Arizona on scholarship where she received her Bachelor of Fine Arts in Dance after just two and a half years. While at the University of Arizona, she performed River North Dance Chicago’s Evolution of a Dream, George Balanchine’s Rubies, Ernie Flatt’s Firebird, as well as many soloist roles in works by Michael Williams and James Clouser.

Following graduation, Ms. Purpura returned to Rochester to join the RCB, as a company member, in 2015. Since joining RCB, she has performed soloist roles such as “Dew Drop Fairy”, “English Toffee”, “Chinese Tea”, “Christmas Spirit”, “Harlequin,” and “Spanish Hot Chocolate” in The Nutcracker. Contemporary works include Jamey Leverett’s featured soloist in My Songs Plead Softly, Images, Katarzyna Skarpetowska’s Terminus, Salvatore Aiello’s The Waiting Room, and David Palmer’s Rite of Spring. She has also performed leading roles in Robert Gardner’s Carmen as Carmen, The Sleeping Beauty as Carabosse, and David Palmer’s Under the Moonlight: A Tribute to David Bowie.

In August 2023, Shannon and Megan Kamler were announced as the Artistic Directors of Rochester City Ballet. Since then, Ms. Purpura has choreographed numerous works for Rochester City Ballet including “Peter & the Wolf” which premiered with the Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra in January 2024. In April 2024, Shannon was commissioned by the Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra to create works for the Eclipse Spectacular: Symphonic Celebration performance at the Blue Cross Arena.

Shannon Purpura serves as the Executive Director of Rochester City Ballet, appointed to the role in June 2025 after leading the company as Artistic Director since August 2023. With experience in both creative and executive leadership, she brings a holistic vision to RCB—guiding its artistic programming, educational outreach, and longterm strategic development. Her dual experience ensures a strong bridge between RCB’s artistic integrity and its community-focused mission.

MEGAN KAMLER, artistic director

Ms. Kamler joined Rochester City Ballet in 2011 after receiving her training at the Timothy M. Draper Center for Dance Education and the University of Arizona where she earned her BFA in Dance. She received additional training at the National Ballet School of Canada summer intensive on scholarship and the summer intensives of Ballet Austin and the Ellison Training Program in New York City. While at the University of Arizona she performed highlighted roles such as Choleric in Balanchine’s Four Temperaments, Big Swan in Swan Lake, and the Friend in Carmina Burana. Following her college graduation she was invited to perform with Art.if.act Dance in an 18 city tour of China.

With the Rochester City Ballet she has performed as the Maid, Harlequin, English To.ee, Magical Doll, Dew Drop, Snow Queen, and Sugar Plum Fairy in The Nutcracker, Anna in The Blood Countess, Cinderella in Cinderella, Princess Aurora in Sleeping Beauty, and Elegy Girl and Waltz Girl in Balanchine’s Serenade.

Contemporary roles with RCB include Jamey Leverett’s 4Play, New York CityScapes, Bravo! Colorado, and InCantation, The Ugly Duckling by Jimmy Orrante, Slightly Sinful by Danny Rosseel, The Summer of Love and The Rite of Spring by David Palmer, and Bach de Trois by Nikolai Kabaniev.

Megan’s choreographic works include a debut on the Rochester City Ballet with her piece titled So On, and So Forth, and a commissioned piece by the Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra for their Eclipse Spectacular: Symphonic Celebration performance at the Blue Cross Arena in April 2024. More recently in May 2025, she choreographed her first full length story ballet Anastasia: A Ballet Reimagined alongside Shannon Purpura.

SHANNON PURPURA MEGAN KAMLER

ARTISTS

JOHN DEMING, ballet master

John is a Rochester, New York native. He received his training at the Draper Center for Dance Education and later the Boston Ballet as a trainee on a full scholarship.

After leaving Boston, John joined the Carolina Ballet in Raleigh, North Carolina under the direction of Robert Weiss. While in Raleigh he danced in numerous ballets such as Romeo & Juliet, Sleeping Beauty, Four Seasons, The Nutcracker, as well as George Balanchine’s Rubies and Brahms Schoenberg Quartet

In 2014, John joined Ballet Memphis. While in Memphis John performed soloist and principal roles such as Benvolio & Romeo in Steven McMahon’s production of Romeo & Juliet, Harlequin, Nutcracker Prince & Spanish Chocolate in Steven McMahon’s The Nutcracker. John also worked with many choreographers from around the country such as Matthew Neenan, Jennifer Archibald, Mark Godden, Reggie Wilson, Gabrielle Lamb, and Uri Sands.

In 2018 John was contracted by Rochester City Ballet. In his 5 years in Rochester he has been cast in classical and neoclassical ballets by David Palmer, Julia Erickson, George Balanchine, Robert Gardner, Salvatore Aiello, Jimmy Orante and Jared Brunson. Additionally dancing principal roles in some of the most classic ballets such as Sleeping Beauty, The Nutcracker, Swan Lake, A Midsummer Night’s Dream, The Firebird and Raymonda Suites. John is currently Company Dancer and Ballet Master with Rochester City Ballet, and School Director of the School of Rochester City Ballet.

TIMOTHY DRAPER, founder, choreographer (1954-2003)

Timothy Draper began his training in Rochester, New York under the tutelage of Olive McCue with Mercury Ballet and Kathleen Crofton with the Festival Ballet of New York. He pursued his dance education in New York City with the Joffrey School of Ballet, Harkness House of Ballet Arts, and Steps followed by an extensive performance career with Israel Ballet, the Puerto Rican Dance Theatre, and Les Ballet Trockadero de Monte Carlo.

After serving as Ballet Master of Dance Miami and Co-Director of Fort Lauderdale Ballet, Mr. Draper returned to Rochester with a passion for dance excellence and a vision for creating both a school with world class instruction and a permanent ballet company for the Rochester community. Timothy Draper’s dream in 1987 evolved into the Rochester City Ballet of today. With his guidance and expertise, RCB grew from modest beginnings to now delighting thousands of viewers at their annual collaboration with the RPO of The Nutcracker, and has presented performances throughout central and western New York.

JOHN DEMING TIMOTHY DRAPER

RCB COMPANY DANCERS

JOHN DEMING

JOINED RCB: 2018

RCB APPRENTICES

KATHERINE DUFFY DEMING

JOINED RCB: 2017

SAMANTHA HOWE

JOINED RCB: 2021

MEGAN KAMLER

JOINED RCB: 2011

ADAM KITTELBERGER

JOINED RCB: 2005

LYDIA MARBACH

JOINED RCB: 2017

SHANNON PURPURA

JOINED RCB: 2014

ANNA TURANI

JOINED RCB: 2022

SAMANTHA GOODELLE

ABIGAIL JACOBS

LILY JANNECK

THOMAS MONTGOMERY

ELIZABETH PINEL

MARLENA ROBERTS

RCB JUNIOR APPRENTICES

SOPHIA BARNARD-DECANN JESSICA BEALER

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Trevor and Elizabeth Ewell

James Farrar

David and Anne Ferris

Thomas and Janet Fink

Rebecca Firmani

Gail R. Flugel

Timothy and Marie Forget

Family Fund

Jonathan Foster

Davis Frame

Sandra and Neil Frankel

Evelyn Frazee and Thomas Klonick

Kevin FrischS

Paul Gardella

Jill and Kent Gardner

Michael and Jane* Garrett

Jacquie and Andrew Germanow

Mary Anne Gillespie

Warren and June Glaser

John and Leslie Glynn

Charlotte Kraus&

Lynn Krauss-Prince

Chari and Joel Krenis

Deanna and Charles Krunsenstjerna

Jim Kurtz and Jan Kellner

Connie Leary and James O’Connell&

Philip and Susan Lederer

Norma and Anthony* Leone, MD

Marc Libman and Meghann Postgate

Kathy J. Lindsley

Curtis and Elizabeth Long&S

R. John Looney, M.D. and Nancy Gadziala, M.D.

Edith M. Lord

Swaminathan and Janice Madhu

Barbara E. Marshall&

Tom and Emily McCall

William and Erin McCune, in memory of Vera McCune

Mr. and Mrs. Gilbert J.C. McCurdy*

Gilbert Kennedy McCurdy

Bruce and Eleanor McLear

Daniel M. Meyers&

John Muenter

Paul Marc and Pamela Miller Ness&

Maureen and Steve Neumaier

Noel and JoBeth NicholsL&

John and Tobie Olsan&

Deborah Onslow&S

Douglas and Rose Peet&

Sara and Mark Poe

James and Joyce Porrey

Suzanne and Richard Portland

Brock and Sandra* Powell

Bill Prest

Alice and Andrew Publow

Robert and Anne QuiveyS

David Rakov

Dick and Cathy Rasmussen&S

Nancy and Vincent Reale&

David and Betsy Riedman

Joseph Rizzo

Nancy Robbins

Marion Swett Robinson&

Dick* and Bea Rosenbloom

Mr. Fritz Ruebeck and Dr. Cecilia MeagherS

John and Roslyn Goldman

Patricia Goodwin

Debbie and Michael Gordon

Crofts* and Jane Gorsline

Jeanne and Bob Grace

Helen and George Greer**

Stephen Gullace

Susan and James Haefner

Laurie Haelen and Mary McCrank

Robert and Deborah HallS

Nancy and Henry Hamlin

Martin and Sherrie Handelman

Marilyn* and Dick Hare&

Bob and Kathy Heinig

Matthew Hettinga

Walter B.D. Hickey, Jr.

David C. and Patricia M. Hinkle

James and Betsy Hoefen

Drs. Ryan and Makiko Hoefen^

Dr. Marvin and Nancy* Yanes Hoffman

Mr. and Mrs.* Howard E.

Holcomb, Jr.

John and Barbara Holder

Andrew and Kathleen Holt

Henry* and Ellen Thiede

Dr. Robert Horn and Dr. Patricia Nachman

Bob and Sarah Hurlbut

Agrp Ispentchian & Fulltec LLC

La Marr J. Jackson, Esq.

Dr. Charlotte Ryan

Mr. and Mrs. James Ryan, Jr.

Drs. Carl and O.J. Sahler&

Gary B. Schaefer

David and Antonia Schantz

Joan M. Schumaker&

George J. Schwartz, M.D., and Paula Maier

Richard and Vicki* Schwartz

Mr. and Mrs. Eugene P. Seymour

Kate Hickey Spencer&

Jeffrey and Lyn Springut

Ingrid Stanlis&

Georgine and James Stenger

Dr. David and Abby Stern

Richard Sterns and Suzanna Rubright

Nancy Stevens and David Williams

Bob and Gayle Stiles

David B. Stong and Marlane Juran

David and Grace* Strong

Aaron and Rachel Stuckey&S

Glen and Lynne Suckling

Robert and Nancy Swain

Margaret and Charles Symington

Anthony and Christine Testa

Margaret Tonkinson

Sally Turner

Gary and Marie VanGraafeiland

James Viscardi, Lisa Brubaker and Marja Wilson

Patricia Ward-Baker&

Skip and Karen Warren

Stephen R. Webb

David and Julie Weinstein

Carol Whitbeck&

Steve and Sarah Wicker

Mr. John Williams and Mr. Chuck Lundeen*

Kitty J. Wise&L

Elise and Joseph Wojciechowski

John Yancey

Ronald and Martha Jodoin

Douglas and Maryanne Jones

Nancy Jones

Steve and Gretchen Judge

Dr. and Mrs. Harold Kanthor

Judy and Norm Karsten

Heidi Katz and Carl Chiarenza

Robert J. Kennedy

Tom and Kate Kidera

James H. Kirkwood

Ann Knigge and Al Buckner

Hon. Joan S. Kohout

Francine Koskinas

Barbara E. Kozel

Ronald and Nancy Kraus

John and Lisa Lacci

Alan and Deborah Lattime

Jennifer Leonard and David Cay Johnston

Katherine Lewis and Richard Chasman*

Margaret Lindsey, M.D.

Sue and Michael LococoS

Eric and Martha Logigian

Dan and Nancy Loughran

Susan and Chris Luedde

Johnny and Shirley Lynn

Patrick Macey and Jeremiah

Casey

Russell and Mary Lou Madsen

Joseph J. Mancini*

Scott Manspeaker

Saul and Susan Marsh

Richard and Kate Massie

Edward G. McClive

H. Winn McCray

Karen and Joseph McCune

Richard W. McGrath

John W. McNeill

Andrew and Kay Melnyk

Alice Messinger

Robert J. and Marcia

Wishengrad Metzger

Ralph and Martha Meyer

Dr. Michael T. Miller

Fritz and Maura Minges

Mary E. Miskell and Terrance Clar

James* and Geraldine Moore

Charles Morgan

Laura V. Morrissey

Mike and Ginny Moszkowicz

Pastor and Mrs. Donald Muller

Dr. and Mrs. Stephen Munson

Kevin Nasman

Dr. and Mrs. Curtis N. Nelson

Helene Newman

Mr. and Mrs. John Norris

BENEFACTOR

($500-$999)

Karen Abbas

Barbara Agor

Edwin Austin

Karen Bancroft

Jim and Linda Baroody

Asish and Susan Basu^

Markus and Myriam Bauer

Richard J. Beard

Kate M. Bennett

Teresa and Tim Biehler

James and Lynette Blake

Jay and Beth BlaufussS

Richard A. Bloom, M.D.

Mitchell J. Boucher

Jeff and Kathy Bowen

Dr. and Mrs. Albert Brault

Henra S. Briskin

Hugh and Anne Brodie

Eileen Buholtz

Gretchen and Paul Burke

Lori Busch

Drs. David Bushinsky and Nancy Krieger

Dan and Amanda Butler

Steven Cannell

Riley and Karen Carhart

Brendan and Suzanne Casey

Victor Ciaraldi and Kathy

Marchaesi

Robert D. Clawson

Jim Cook

Caroline Costanza

Elison and Donald Cramer

Mr. and Mrs. Gabriel Delvecchio

Kathleen DillS

Michael DiSalle

Donald and Stephanie Doe

Kevin Doell

Terrence R. Doherty

Daniel DwyerS

Linda S. Eastman

Dr. Steven and Susan Eisinger

Mohsen Emami, M.D.

Quentin Llop

Gerald G. Estes

Rebecca and Glenn Fadner

Sherman and Anne Farnham

Almon Fisher

Elizabeth B. Fisher

Sarah Fitts-Romig

Susan and Leslie Foor

Ann and Steve Fox

Ruth Freeman

Carolyn and Roger Friedlander

Linda and David FriedmanS

Nita Genova

Mr. and Mrs. Julian Goldstein

Dr. John W. and Mrs. Heather

Peter J. Obourn

Mr. Donald W. and

Mrs. Jo-Ann R. O’Brien

Elizabeth Osta and George VanArsdale

Graham Ottoson

Thomas Parker

Tom Parker

David and Marjorie Perlman

Dee and Horace E. Perry

Jerry Peters

Douglas and Diana Phillips

Susan and Donald Pritchard

Marcia Rausch

Richard and Susan ReedS

Rene Reixach

Mr. and Mrs. Thomas S. Richards

Linda and Michael Riordan

Family Fund at the RACF

Nancy and Art Roberts

Gerard and Donna Roberts

Dr. Gerald and Maxine Rosen

Hannah and Arnold Rosenblatt

Jamal and Pam Rossi

Carolyn and Charles RuffingS&

Tom and Ellen Rusling

Goodbody

Dr. and Mrs. William Grace

Gay Greene and Robert Goeckel

Ed and Terry* Grissing

Catherine Gueli

Mr. and Mrs. Robert J. Guerin

Jason and Janelle Gutman

Linda and John Haight

William and Cathy Haller

David and Edna F. Hamlin

Rita Myers

Barbara and A. Michael Hanna

John and Diane Hanna

Mr. and Mrs. Joseph R. Hanna

Alan J. Harris

Gil and Judy Hawkins

William and Patricia Hayles

Merrill and Dianne Herrick

Carol Herring

K.L. Hersam and Paul Sawicki

Michael R. Herzog

Dr. Florence M. Higgins and Mr. John Lebens

Sanjay and Ally Hiranandani

Art and Barb Hirst

Sheila Hollander

Victoria Hoover

Wayne and Anne Hulbert

William and Nancy Hunt

Dr. Dewey Jackson

Robert and Mary* Jackson

Lyle Jenks

Mr. Gilbert F. Jordan

Marilyn and James Jordan

Connie KaminskiS

Lori and Frank Karbel

Dr. and Mrs. Lester Katzel

Mr. and Mrs. James E. Keenan

Mary Kerr

Mr. Edward Klehr

Susan and James Knauer

Ken Knight and Ann Curtin-Knight*

Mark and Mona Friedman Kolko

Mrs. Ellen Konar

Kraig and Susan Kummer

L. Janet Lawrence-Morse

Janet and James Leone

Ellen C. Lewis

Ben Lichtin and Grace Seiberling

Sarah F. Liebschutz, PhD

Ms. Jean Ligozio

Rose and Roger Linscott

Jane S. Littwitz

John and Jane Littwitz

Janet and Haines Lockhart

Edwin Lopez-Soto and

Patricia Braus

John and Judy Lynd

Joan and James* Ryan, Sr.

Dr. Alvani D. and Carol M. Santos

Justin Schiess

Paul and Barbara Schmied

Peter Schott and Mary Jane Tasciotti

John H. Schultz

Mr. and Mrs. William Schultz

Heidi B. Schwarz, M.D.&

Anthony and Gloria Sciolino

Catherine and Richard Seeger

David Segal

Joan and Arthur Segal

Libba and Wolf Seka

John and Jenny Servo

Leonard and Elaine Simon

Bruce and Laura Smoller

Cathy Cushman and Jeff Sokol

Phillip and Karen Sparkes

Mr. Richard R. Spellicy

Jim and Dora Stauffer

Berl Stein

Ann H. Stevens and William J. Shattuck&

Adam and Catherine Towsley

David Evans and Sheree Usiatynski

Wayne and Anne Vander Byl

Chen and John MageeS

James and Rosa Mance

Russell J. Mandrino

Janice D. Manning

Sheron and Bruce Marche

Phillip Marcille

Dick and Sandra McGavern

Maureen McGlynn

Diann and Tom Meek

Marilyn Merrigan

Jonathan Mink and Janet Cranshaw

David and Monika M. MullenS

Thomas C. Munger

Michael P.* and Wendy R. Murphy

Dr. Michael Nabozny

Michael D. Nazar

Joan R. Nusbaum

Peggy and David Oakes

Jason Oaks

W. Smith* and Jean O’Brien

Debra and George Orosz

Jonathan R. Parkes and Dr. Marcia

Bornhurst Parkes

David B. Patt

Marian Payson and Helen Wiley

Glen Pearson

Christian and Sarah Peyre

Dr. Elyssa Pohl

Everett Porter

Beth and Lyle Prairie

Harry J. and Margaret H. Price

Dr. and Mrs. Edwin Przybylowicz

Venkat and Shobha Purushotham

Sujatha Ramanujan and James

Chwalek

James Reed

Stan and Anne Refermat

Nancy K. Rice

Ray and Judy Ricker

Richard and Margery Rosen

Warren and Pamela Rosenbaum

Dr. and Mrs. G. Theodore Ruckert

Hon. Franklin T. and Cynthia

Russell

Jean Ryon

Ed and Gabriel Saphar

David and Naomi Schrier

Mrs. Arthur W. Schuster, Jr.

Theresa A. Seil and Debra

Celestino

Rich Sensenbach

Timothy and Debbie Veazey

Stephen H. and Jody Waite

Harry and Ruth* Walker

James and Barb* Walker

Mr. and Mrs. William Wallace

James Watters

Mike and Ellen Wayne

Jean and Sterling L.* Weaver

Pierce and Elizabeth Webb

Philip and Marilyn Wehrheim Fund

Mr. and Mrs. Fred Weingarten&^

Sherwin* and Linda Weinstein

Joyce and William Weir

Jeff Wright and Betty Wells

Eileen M. Wurzer

Dr. Charles Yates

Laura and Joel Yellin

Marsha Young

Bill and Wende Young

Lawrence and Susan Yovanoff

Albert and Irene Zaccor

Helen A. Zamboni

Gary and Cathleen Zdyb

Joseph and Mary Kathryn

Shanahan

Robert E. and Susan H. Shapiro

Lily Shaw and Robert Hallstrom*

Mrs. Caroline Shipley

Eloise Shrag

Donna Broberg Shum

Harvey Simmons

Daniel and Sarah Singal

Timothy J. Slisz in memory of Joseph F. and Mary Ellen Slisz

Heidi Smith

Janet H. Sorensen

Larry Sorrell

Ms. Maureen A. Stables

David Stacey

Eleanor Stauffer

Jeffrey and Kristen Storey

Steve and Cheryl Swartout

Yoshiko Tamura and Bruce M. Lee

David and Carol Teegarden

Darbbie J. Thomas

Jeffrey J. Thompson

Celia and Doug Topping

John* and Janet Tyler

Eugene and Gloria Ulterino

Lorraine Van Meter-Cline and Doug Cline

Jared and Beverly Voos

Robert Vosteen

Brian and Jean Waldmiller

John and Anne Walker

Mr. and Mrs. Robert Wallace

Marsha Walton

Kathleen Weber

Warren Welch

Stephen Wershing

Kathleen Whelehan

Charles and Carolyn Whitfield

Bob* and Mary Ann Whitmore

Jeff and Sarah Wight

Susan and Paul Wilkens

Nancy J. Williams

Les and Wanda Wood

Jonathan Wright

Patty and Rich Yarmel

Susan Yee

Susan and Maurice Zauderer

Eric Zeise and Ellen Henry

Robert and Deborah Zeman

Robert and Carol Zimmerman

& Denotes donor(s) has/have contributed to the RPO& Comprehensive Capital Campaign. S Denotes donor(s) has/have a recurring Sustaining Circle contribution to the RPO. * Denotes donor(s) is/are deceased. L Denotes donor(s) has/have contributed to the Rochester Philharmonic League (RPL). ^ Denotes donor(s) has/have contributed to the Rochester Philharmonic Youth Orchestra (RPYO).

Scan to view the full listing from July 1, 2025 through March 31, 2026

IN MEMORY OF…

Arthur Axelrod

Sheryl Sue Karch

Betsy and Stuart Bobry

Michael and Linda Raff

R. Carlos Carballada

Sam and Mimi Tilton

Ann Christiansen

Leslie C. Rowe

Douglas Cline

Patte Bishop

BRAVO TRIBUTES

The Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra gratefully acknowledges the following individuals and organizations for their generous support by honoring or remembering in memory of the individuals listed below. Listings are in recognition of tribute gifts received from July 1 through March 31, 2026.

Tribute gifts are a special way to remember loved ones or commemorate special occasions such as birthdays, anniversaries, weddings, births or graduations. If you would like to make a memorial or honorarium gift, please visit www.rpo.org/donate or contact the Development office at 585/454-7311 ext. 249 or email development@rpo.org.

Lew D. Jones

Itai Bronshtein

Elaine L. Kraus

James Kraus

Barbara Law

Stanley and Anne Refermat

Dr. and Mrs. Harry C. Law

Edward H. Law

Paul Littrell

Laura Joy

Jane Oberwager

David and Lois Zebelman

IN HONOR OF…

Maura McCune and Patrick Corvington

John and Lisa Lacci

Joseph McCune and Karen Smith-McCune

Joseph Darweesh

Debbie Brand

Fred Dole

Carol M. Wolff

Timothy and Marilyn Downs

Ellen Fenger

Charles Fujita and Dulcy Lecour

Mary Anne Gillespie

Faye Shea

Josephine Trubek

Margaret Vanas

Rev. George H. Dehority, Jr.

John and Carolyn Dehority

Sheila Dermody

Catherine and Elmar Frangenberg, M.D.

Dr. Jane E. Devens

Stephen and Stephanie Schell

Ellen Englert

Renee Brownstein

Robert and Frances Clawson

Judith Cruppe

Richard DeMallie

Catherine and Elmar Frangenberg, M.D.

Robert and Christine Guistina

Gregory and Judith Graham

Antony Gugino and Earlene Siebold

High Falls Advisors

Bruce and Ann Leonard

John W. Littwitz

Ray and Patrizia Macera

Russell J. Mandrino

Mary Ann Mrva

Tracy A. Romano

Bonnie B. Sale

Joann Smith

David Strasenburgh

Anthony and Raechel Taddei

Timothy M. Verna

Suzanne Verstraten

Cynthia Whitehouse

Jane L. Garrett

Michael Garrett

Kathryn Gilbert

Betsy Friedman

Dr. Ram Wesley Rapoport

Dr. Warren Glaser

June Glaser

Terry B. Grissing

Asish and Susan Basu

Edward Grissing

Frances R. Howell, Jr.

Jennifer McRae Fitzsimmons

Nancy Howell

Gregory Lombardo

Steven and Betsy Lombardo

Vera McCune

William and Erin McCune

Mildred Ness

Lana Rottenberg

Charles Palella

Keith Mortimer

Beverly Pullis

George Pullis

Margie Sabath

Edward Baum

Lillian Gordon

Stuart and Catherine Gordon

Dr. Diana Hausman

Mary Schwarz

Meg Sussman

Betty Schlemitz

Carl and Pamela Angeloff

Stifel Dublin Branch Office

Sam Vogel

Albert Serenati

Nancy Snyder and Family

Leonard Simon

Elaine Simon

Anne W. Sullivan

Philip and Eleanor Hopke

R. Alan and Deborah Lattime

Robert W. Sweeney

Gerald Estes

William J. Towler

Lena Towler Scott

Kay Wallace

Ann Weintraub

Joseph and Rosemary Mitchell

Leon Williams

Jerry Maus

Sheri Unglaub Williams

Heather Fuller

Douglas and Sarah Hughes

Andrew and Elizabeth Swanson

Roland J. Zavada

John Kline

James Englert

Joann Smith

Linda Iacelli

Stephen House

Dr. Harold Kanthor’s Birthday

Joseph Rapoport & Family

Neil Miller

Dr. Etta Eskridge

Deborah Onslow

Dr. Miriam R. Iker

Margaret Perticone

Deborah Dollinger

Grant Rieke

Marc Rieke

Nathan and Susan Robfogel’s 60th Wedding Anniversary

Charles and Kathleen Salitan

Valerie Salitan

Hannah and Arnold Rosenblatt

Alice Messinger

Robert and Harriet Seigel

Katherine Smith

James and Georgine Stenger

P. Robert and Mary Anne Fox

Jeff Tyzik

G. Theodore and Sherry Ruckert

Catharine “Kitty” Wise’s 90th Birthday

R. Alan and Deborah Lattime

J. Michael and Alice Smith

Don and Anna Womack

Daniel and Edith Rice

Scan to view the full listing from July 1, 2025 through March 31, 2026

Anonymous

Marie Aklin*

Betty Jane Altier*

Alva Angle*

Catherine N. Asmuth*

Jean Boynton Baker*

John B. and Margaret Barnell*

RPO GEORGE EASTMAN LEGACY SOCIETY

Members of the RPO George Eastman Legacy Society are true believers in the power of music. The RPO George Eastman Legacy Society honors those individuals who remember the Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra through a planned gift. The RPO’s team of development professionals are available to work with you and your advisors to create a plan that will help you meet your financial and philanthropic goals. For more information, please contact the Development Office at 585.454.7311.

George Greer*

Jean Groff*

Sue C. Habbersett*

William B. Hale*

Martha and Fred Hamaker

Mrs. Laura J. Hameister

Marilyn* and Dick Hare

Walter J.* and Jeanne M. Beecher

Walter S. Beecher

Nancy and Harry Beilfuss**

Carol and John Bennett

Jack and Carolyn Bent

Donald Berens*

Ellen S. Bevan*

Michael Bobry

Stuart* and Betsy Bobry

James R. Boehler*

Marilyn Bondy

Beverly T. Bowen*

John W.* and Margaret Z.* Branch

William and Ruth Cahn

Mary Allison Callaway and Paul R. Callaway*

Catherine B. Carlson*

Norris F. Carlson*

Margaret J. Carnall*

Joan and Paul Casterline**

Susann* and Terence Chrzan

Nancy A. Clemens*

Barbara Colucci

Christine Colucci

Mary Consler*

Judy and Joe Darweesh

Alfred L. Davis*

Barbara Dechario*

Paul Donnelly*

Marilyn A. Drumm*

Amelia N. Dunbar*

Frederick Dushay

Richard and Harriet Eisenberg**

James T. and Ellen Englert

John R. Ertle*

Julia B. Everitt*

Glenn and Rebecca Fadner

Ruth H. Fairbank*

Joan and Harold* Feinbloom

Albert Fenyvessy*

Donald C.* and Elizabeth Fisher

Catherine and Elmar Frangenberg

Carolyn and Roger Friedlander

Betsy Friedman

Karyl P. Friedman

Linda and David Friedman

Patrick and Barbara Fulford

William L. Gamble*

Sharon Garelick

Rob W. Goodling

Mary M. Gooley*

Barbara Jean Gray-Gottorff*

Karen G. Hart*

Monica R. Hayden*

Warren* and Joyce Heilbronner

David W. Hinz*

Jean Hitchcock

Norman L. Horton*

Mrs. Samter Horwitz*

H. Larry and Dorothy C. Humm

Mr. and Mrs. Robert D. Hursh*

Robert and Merilyn* Israel

Carol A. Jones

Nick and Kitty Jospe

Dr. Ralph F. Jozefowicz

Nancie R. Kennedy*

Robert T. Kimbrough*

Marcella Klein and Richard Schaeffer

Glenn and Nancy Koch

Ross P. Lanzafame, Esq.

Jeanne Lareau*

Marshall and Lenore* Lesser

Drs. Jacques* and Dawn Lipson

Sue and Michael Lococo

William C.* and Elfriede K. Lotz

Mr. and Mrs. Daniel Mahar

Linda Malinich*

Joseph J. Mancini*

Dr. James and Janice* Maxwell

Gerard Mayer*

John T. McAdam*

Pete* and Sally Merrill

Donald R. Messina*

Robert J. and Marcia Wishengrad Metzger

Dan Meyers

Mrs. Elizabeth O. Miller*

Jane E. Miller*

Mary L. Mitchell*

Deanne Molinari*

Eleanor Morris*

Mrs. Marjorie Morris*

Patricia McCurdy Morse*

John S. Muenter

Diane F. Nelson*

Paul Marc and Pamela Miller Ness

Carolyn Noble*

Deborah Onslow

Margaret Paaschen*

Mary Anne Palermo

Ms. Lydia Susan Palmer

Eleanor T. Patterson*

Suzanne F. Powell

Robert and Ann Quivey

Ernest Rashiatore*

Eileen D. Ramos*

Marjorie Cohen Relin*

Doris Repenter*

Dr. Ramon L. and Judith S. Ricker

Gerard and Donna Roberts

Dr. Suzanne H. Rodgers*

Nellie J. Rosenberg

Dick* and Bea Rosenbloom

Elise and Stephen* Rosenfeld

Pearl W. Rubin*

Wallace R. Rust

Ron and Sharon Salluzzo

Wesley Saucke

Peggy W. Savlov*

James G. Scanzaroli*

David G. and Antonia T. Schantz

William and Susan Schoff

Peter Schott and Mary Jane Tasciotti

Jon L. and Katherine T. Schumacher

Vicki* and Richard Schwartz

Laura M. Seifferd*

Libba and Wolf Seka

Gretchen Shafer*

Virginia Durand Shelden*

Elbis A. Shoales, M.D.

Carol Shulman

Anna Rita Staffieri*

Ingrid Stanlis

Abby and David Stern

Patricia E. Stott

Betty Strasenburgh*

Martha Ann* and Daniel Tack

Amanda Tierson

Ivan Town*

Carol Van Hoesen*

Elizabeth Van Horn*

Harry and Ruth Walker

Patricia Ward-Baker

Margaret Webster*

Robin and Michael* Weintraub

Jean B. Wetzel*

Joyce Wiedrich

Mildred Wischmeyer*

Kitty J. Wise

John and Laurie Witmeyer

Helen W. Witt*

Mary Alice and Robert Wolf*

Susan and Lawrence Yovanoff

Nancy and Mark Zawacki

Alan Ziegler and Emily Neece

Mr. and Mrs. Ted Zornow

* Denotes donor(s) is/are deceased. ^Denotes donor(s) has/have contributed to the Rochester Philharmonic Youth Orchestra (RPYO).

ADMINISTRATION

Curt Long President and CEO

Kristen Zimmer Human Resource Director

Hannah Reich Executive Assistant/Office Manager

DEVELOPMENT

Rob Dermody Vice President of Development

Bryce Davis Senior Director of Strategic Initiatives

Amy Gallaher Director of Development, Annual Giving & Special Events

Elizabeth Garijo-Garde Institutional Partnerships Officer

Dorian Delfs Development Officer

George DeMott Development Officer

MARKETING

Herb Griffith Vice President of Marketing & Communications

Lauren MacDonough Director of Marketing

Meg Spoto Creative Director

Kylie Beam Content/Digital Marketing Manager

Mike Cidoni Public Relations & Communications Manager

Sal Uttaro Group and Corporate Sales Manager

PATRON SERVICES CENTER

Charlene Beckwith Director of Ticketing

Daniel Long Director of Patron Experience, Data & Analytics

Daniel Traina House Manager

Connor Straight Patron Services Assistant Manager

Abby Chapman-Duprey

William Eby

Stephen House

Nathan Howton

Lauren Irschick

Jaewon Jun

Alyssa Koh

Jacob Kundu

Hannah Moreno

Grant Simon Patron Services Representatives

FINANCE

Katherine Rogala Vice President of Finance

Jennifer Clark Staff Accountant

ARTISTIC OPERATIONS

James Barry Vice President of Artistic Planning & Operations

Fred Dole Orchestra Personnel Manager

Lily Wintringham Orchestra Operations Manager

Morgan Marama-Stout Artistic Coordinator

Danielle Suhr Stage Manager

Cedrick Martinez Assistant Stage Manager

Kim Hartquist Principal Librarian

Karl Vilcins Auditions Coordinator

EDUCATION

Chisato Eda Marling Director of Education & Community Partnerships

Interim VP of Education Lisk Morris Foundation Chair

Ashlee Allaire Youth Orchestra & Education Projects Manager

Catherine Zhou Education Assistant

ROCHESTER PHILHARMONIC LEAGUE

Rachel Solomon Volunteer Administrator

ABOUT US

Since its founding by George Eastman in 1922, the Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra has been committed to enriching and inspiring our community through the art of music. Currently celebrating our 102nd Season, the RPO is dedicated to maintaining its deep commitment to artistic excellence, educational opportunity, and community engagement. Today, the RPO presents up to 120 concerts per year, serving nearly 170,000 people through ticketed events, education and community engagement activities, and concerts in schools and community centers throughout the region. Nearly one-third of all RPO performances are educational or community-related. In addition, WXXI 91.5 FM rebroadcasts approximately 30 RPO concerts each year. For more information, visit rpo.org.

IMPORTANT INFORMATION

TICKETS: The RPO Patron Services Center is located at 255 East Avenue in the back of the Farash Place building in downtown Rochester. Free parking is available in a small lot between the parking garage and building. Open Monday through Friday 10 AM–5PM.

GROUP SALES: Groups of 10 or more are eligible for discounts starting at 20%! Contact Group and Corporate Sales Manager: Sal Uttaro at suttaro@ rpo.org | Office: (585) 454-7311 ext. 267 | Mobile: (585) 530-0865

NIGHT-OF-CONCERT PURCHASES: RPO will-call tickets and concert tickets are available at the RPO tables in the Eastman Theatre Box Office lobby starting 90 minutes prior to concert time.

PARKING: Paid parking for Kodak Hall at Eastman Theatre is available at the East End Garage, located next to the theatre. Open entrances/exits change frequently while the garage is under construction. Visit rpo.org/parking for the most recent updates. Paid parking for the Performance Hall at Hochstein is available at the Sister Cities Garage, located behind the school at Church and Fitzhugh Streets.

PRE-CONCERT TALKS: All ticketholders are welcome to attend free pre-concert talks held one hour before all Philharmonics concerts and all Jeff Tyzik-conducted Pops concerts. Ticketholders are asked to sit anywhere they would like in the orchestra level of the theatre, then head to their reserved seat for the concert.

SERVICES FOR PATRONS WITH DISABILITIES: Wheelchair locations and seating for those with disabilities are available at all venues; please see the house manager or an usher for assistance. Elevators are located in the Eastman Theatre Box Office lobby. A wheelchair-accessible restroom is available on the first floor.

SERVICES FOR HARD-OF-HEARING PATRONS: Audio systems are available at Kodak Hall at Eastman Theatre; headsets may be obtained from an usher prior to the performance.

CHANGING SEATS: If you find it necessary to be reseated for any reason, please contact an usher who will bring your request to the House Manager.

LOST AND FOUND: Items found in Kodak Hall will be held at the Eastman Theatre Box Office, 433 E. Main Street. For more info, call 585-274-3000.

ELECTRONIC DEVICES: The use of cameras or audio recording equipment is strictly prohibited. Patrons are asked to silence all personal electronic devices prior to the performance.

REFRESHMENTS: Food and drink are not permitted in the concert hall, except for bottled water. Refreshments are available for purchase in Betty’s Café located on the orchestra level of Kodak Hall at Eastman Theatre.

TICKET DONATION: If you are unable to attend a concert, please consider donating your tickets to us as a tax-deductible contribution. Return your tickets to the RPO no later than 2 PM the day of the performance to make them available for resale.

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