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KC Symphony Board of Directors
Founded by R. Crosby Kemper, Jr.† in 1982
Board of Trustees established in 1983
Officers
Linda Gill Taylor, Chair
Kenneth V. Hager, Vice Chair & Secretary/Treasurer
Timothy P. Cook, Vice Chair
Michael M. Gentry, Vice Chair
Jeff Hargroves, Vice Chair
Marny Sherman, Vice Chair
Directors
Dr. Scott S. Boswell Sr.
Grant Burcham
Susan Chambers
Elizabeth Gray
Scott Hughes
Bebe Kemper Hunt
Julian Kaplan
Susan Newburger
Joseph Nuñez
Willy F. Pegues IV
Andy Pence
Linda S. Stevens
Patrick A. Valadez
Jesse Yukimura
Ex Officio
Shirley Bush Helzberg, Chair Emerita
Daniel E. Beckley, President and CEO
Past Board Chairs
Paul H. Henson† 1983-85
R. Crosby Kemper, Jr.† 1985-87
Paul H. Henson† 1987-88
George E. Powell, Jr.† 1988-90
David W. Hunerberg 1990-95
Shirley Bush Helzberg 1995-2013
William M. Lyons 2013-19
Patrick McCown 2019-23
† In memoriam
Founding Directors
In memoriam
Henry W. Bloch
William N. Deramus III
George C. Dillon
James H. Hale
Donald J. Hall
Paul H. Henson
R. Crosby Kemper, Jr.
George E. Powell, Jr.
George A. Russell
Richard H. Spencer
Richard J. Stern
Foundation Board of Directors
Christine Kemper, President
Julia Irene Dennie-Kauffman, Vice President
Russell W. Baker, Jr., Secretary/Treasurer
Emily Hill
David Powell
Chris Schumm
Linda S. Stevens, Auxiliary Representative
Lori Feek, Foundation Coordinator
KC Symphony Staff
Executive
Danny Beckley, President and CEO
Young Young Wang, Assistant to the President
AJ Harbison, Content Developer and Executive Support Specialist
Operations
Kate Breytspraak, Director of Artistic Administration
Stephanie Brimhall, Director of Education and Community Engagement
Justin White, Director of Orchestra Personnel
Elena Collins, Assistant Personnel Manager
Jenna Dolinger, Production Manager
Jackie Esquivel, Orchestra Operations Assistant
Annie McPherson, Artist Liaison and Assistant to the Music Director
Tyler Miller, Stage Manager
Patrick Chamberlain, Artistic Advisor
Patrice Sollenberger, Assistant Chorus Director
Development
Eva James Toia, Chief Development Officer
Daniel Morel, Associate Director of Development
Nathan Shields, Manager of Leadership Giving
Roslinde Rivera, Annual Fund Manager
Mark Laverentz, Manager of Corporate Partnerships
Marcy Osburn, Donor Information Specialist
Katie Jenkins, Donor Engagement and Events Associate
Nora Kerwin, Development Operations Associate
Xavier Bowling, Special Projects Coordinator
Finance and HR
Sara Lohe, Chief Financial Officer
Katy Koepke, Accounting Manager
Toni Stock, Senior Accountant
Marketing and Sales
Julius Lai, Chief Marketing and Experience Officer
Rupal Gor, Vice President of Sales, PR and Partnerships
Brandon Bamesberger, Video Production Director
Austin Fransisco, Digital Content Specialist
Hannah Goodwin, Digital Marketing Manager
Box Office
Stephen Borodkin, Manager of Ticketing Services
Sarah Martin, Assistant Manager of Ticketing Services
Adeca Chareunsab, Customer Relations Representative
Jacob Bross, Customer Relations Representative
Catherine Cone, Customer Relations Representative
Joanna Ehlers, Customer Relations Representative
William Landon, Customer Relations Representative
Evan Nelson, Customer Relations Representative
KC Symphony Orchestra Roster
MATTHIAS PINTSCHER, MUSIC DIRECTOR
FIRST VIOLINS
Jun Iwasaki, Concertmaster
Miller Nichols Chair
Stirling Trent, Associate Concertmaster
Sunho Kim, Assistant Concertmaster
Anne-Marie Brown
Michael Brown
Betty Chen
Anthony DeMarco
Susan Goldenberg*
Tomoko Iguchi
Dorris Dai Janssen
Filip Lazovski∆
Chiafei Lin
Vladimir Rykov
Alex Shum*
SECOND VIOLINS
Tamamo Someya Gibbs, Principal
Carter Coleman, Associate Principal
Kristin Velicer, Assistant Principal
Minhye Helena Choi
Mary Garcia Grant
Kazato Inouye
Rena Ishii
Paul Kim
Stephanie Larsen
Jinyou Lee
Sodam Lim
Ayrton Pisco
VIOLAS
MingYu Hsu, Principal
Duncan Steele, Associate Principal
Jessica Nance, Assistant Principal
Kent Brauninger
Sean Brumble
Marvin Gruenbaum
Jenifer Houck
Duke Lee
Jesse Yukimura
CELLOS
Mark Gibbs, Principal
Robert A. Kipp Chair
Susie Yang, Associate Principal
Richard Hill Chair
Alexander East, Assistant Principal
Maria Crosby
John Eadie
Lawrence Figg
Sally Kim
Meredith McCook
Allen Probus
DOUBLE BASSES
Evan Halloin, Acting Principal
Richard Ryan, Acting Associate Principal
Nils Aardahl
Lena Goodson∆
Joseph Nuñez
Keith Wymer∆
FLUTES
Michael Gordon, Principal
Marylou and John Dodds Turner Chair
Shannon Finney, Associate Principal
Liz Teplitsky∆
PICCOLO
Liz Teplitsky∆
OBOES
Kristina Fulton, Principal
Shirley Bush Helzberg Chair
Alison Chung, Associate Principal
Matthew Lengas
ENGLISH HORN
Matthew Lengas
Scan this code for a current list of substitute and extra musicians.
CLARINETS
Javier Morales-Martinez∆, Acting Principal
Bill and Peggy Lyons Chair
Raymond Santos‡
Trevor Stewart∆, Acting Associate Principal
John Klinghammer
E-FLAT CLARINET
Trevor Stewart∆
BASS CLARINET
John Klinghammer
BASSOONS
Ann Bilderback, Principal Barton P. and Mary D. Cohen Chair
Thomas DeWitt, Associate Principal
Maxwell Pipinich
CONTRABASSOON
Thomas DeWitt
HORNS
David Sullivan, Acting Principal Landon and Sarah Rowland Chair
Elizabeth Gray, Acting Associate Principal
David Gamble
Stephen Multer, Associate Principal Emeritus
Benjamin Bacni∆
TRUMPETS
Julian Kaplan, Principal
James B. and Annabel Nutter Chair
Omri Barak^, Associate Principal
Shea Kelsay∆
TROMBONES
Evelyn Carlson, Principal
Porter Wyatt Henderson, Associate Principal
Joseph Maiocco^
BASS TROMBONE
Joseph Maiocco^
TUBA
Joe LeFevre, Principal
Frank Byrne Chair
TIMPANI
Timothy Jepson, Principal
Michael and Susan Newburger Chair
PERCUSSION
David Yoon, Acting Principal
Justin Ochoa∆, Associate Principal
Adrian and Nancy Kay Hertog Family Chair
HARP
Chai Lee^, Principal
LIBRARIANS
Elena Lence Talley, Principal
Fabrice Curtis, Associate Principal
DAVID T. BEALS III CONDUCTORS
Luke Poeppel, Assistant Conductor
Daniel Wiley, Associate Conductor
Justin White, Director of Orchestra Personnel
Elena Collins, Assistant Personnel Manager
Tyler Miller, Stage Manager
Mark Watson, Assistant Stage Manager
Kristina Banton, Lighting Designer
* Non-Rotating Musician
^ New Member
‡ On Leave of Absence
∆ One-Year Member
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Top Gun: Maverick™
Friday and Saturday, October 17-18, 2025 at 7:00 p.m.
Sunday, October 19, 2025 at 2:00 p.m.
Helzberg Hall, Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts
Sarah Hicks, Guest Conductor
Harold Faltermeyer, Lady Gaga and Hans Zimmer
Top Gun: Maverick Act I Intermission Act II
The 2025/26 season is generously sponsored by SHIRLEY and BARNETT C. HELZBERG, JR.
Guest Conductor Sarah Hicks is sponsored by MICHAEL and MELANIE FENSKE
Additional support provided by
Top Gun: Maverick™ was nominated for six Academy Awards® including Best Picture and Best Original Song, winning Best Sound.
After more than 30 years of service as one of the Navy’s top aviators, Pete “Maverick” Mitchell (Tom Cruise) is where he belongs, pushing the envelope as a courageous test pilot and dodging the advancement in rank that would ground him. When he finds himself training a detachment of Top Gun graduates for a specialised mission the likes of which no living pilot has ever seen, Maverick encounters Lt. Bradley Bradshaw (Miles Teller), call sign: “Rooster,” the son of Maverick’s late friend and Radar Intercept Officer Lt. Nick Bradshaw, aka “Goose.”
Facing an uncertain future and confronting the ghosts of his past, Maverick is drawn into a confrontation with his own deepest fears, culminating in a mission that demands the ultimate sacrifice from those who will be chosen to fly it.
“Top Gun: Maverick” licensed by PARAMOUNT PICTURES. This programme licensed by PARAMOUNT PICTURES. A Royal Albert Hall Production.
Motion Picture Artwork and Photos © Paramount Pictures Corporation. All Rights Reserved.
Original Music Score by Harold Faltermeyer, Lady Gaga and Hans Zimmer. Score Produced by Lorne Balfe.
Top Gun: Maverick™
SARAH HICKS
GUEST CONDUCTOR
arah Hicks’ versatile and vibrant musicianship has secured her place as an in-demand conductor across an array of genres. Her career has seen collaborations with diverse artists, from Hilary Hahn and Dmitiri Hvorostovsky to Jennifer Hudson and Laufey, and she has toured with Sting as conductor of his Symphonicities Tour. Her passion for cross-genre partnerships led to a 2019 album with rap artist Dessa and the Minnesota Orchestra, with whom she holds a titled position. Hicks is an Emmy® winner as both conductor and host for “This Is Minnesota Orchestra.”
A specialist in film music and the film-in-concert genre, her live concert recordings can be seen on Disney+ and ABC, and she acts as advisor for and is a frequent collaborator with Disney Concerts across an array of projects. Her first major feature film, “Renfield,” was released in 2023, and her live album with the Danish National Symphony, “The Morricone Duel,” has garnered over 200 million views on YouTube.
Her notable conducting collaborations include the orchestras of Philadelphia, Chicago, Cleveland, San Francisco, New York and Los Angeles as well as the Boston Pops. International engagements include the Toronto, Melbourne, Hamburg and Czech National symphony orchestras; the RTÉ Concert Orchestra; the St. Petersburg, Tokyo and Malaysian philharmonics; and many others.
Bryan Busby Chief Meteorologist and Green Ribbon Champion
In September 2021, my beautiful petite, 20-year-old dancer goddaughter’s body would wait no more. I was devastated. For several weeks, I had watched the care team treat Helena Francine Nicole like a queen.
For many years, I have been a registered donor and advocate — asking friends, colleagues and viewers to consider doing the same. But this personal loss hit me hard. Her loss has me doubling down on my efforts to ensure no one else is ever in our position. All I felt was sadness because the question of “how to save a life” should have been easy to answer. However, we lost Helena simply because of the lack of a suitable heart. Spare another family the grief and pain and join the donor registry.
– Bryan Busby
Dorothy Papadakos: The Lodger
Wednesday, October 22, 2025 at 7:00 p.m.
Helzberg Hall, Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts
Dorothy Papadakos, Organ
“The Lodger” (1927)
This program will be performed without intermission.
The 2025/26 season is generously sponsored by SHIRLEY and BARNETT C. HELZBERG, JR.
Guest artist Dorothy Papadakos is sponsored by KEN SCHMITZ
Additional support provided by
Dorothy Papadakos: The Lodger
DOROTHY PAPADAKOS
ORGAN
orothy Papadakos is one of the great organ improvisers of our time, having started out as a jazz pianist in Reno/ Tahoe, Nevada. She has performed worldwide as a touring musician and recording artist and member of the 6-time Grammy® Award winning Paul Winter Consort (jazz/world music). Passionate about indigenous and world music, she has traveled the world to study musical traditions that infuse her improvisations and compositions.
From 1990 to 2003 Dorothy was the first and only woman cathedral organist at NYC’s Cathedral of St. John the Divine, the largest Gothic cathedral in the world. Her five CDs feature international guest artists, including her favorite singers, humpback whales. She has composed orchestral and choral works, including a ballet for her Carnegie Hall debut as a composer. She wrote the book, music and lyrics for Divine Wine, which began life as Pompeii in an Equity workshop production that broke historic box office records, selling 6,000+ tickets over two weekends at Thalian Hall Center for the Performing Arts in Wilmington, North Carolina.
The first book of her four climate science adventure books for kids, “The Kingdom of Winter,” is now a STEM Science and Literature curriculum for middle schools; the second book, “The Kingdom of Spring,” is coming soon. From “Nosferatu” and “The Phantom of the Opera” to Alfred Hitchcock and Charlie Chaplin, Dorothy’s improvised silent film concerts are a sold-out tradition in the U.S. and around the world in venues with spectacular pipe organs. She is married to landscape designer Tracy McCullen, with whom she is co-founder and president of the Optimism Oasis Sports Complex.
Versatile indoor and outdoor spaces for intimate conversations or large-scale events, within an inclusive and accessible environment. Explore our trails, gardens, fountains, and labyrinth. Stay at our full-service hotel, with free parking and a scenic 9-hole golf course.
At Unity Village, we’re committed to helping you host unforgettable events.
Ask about the new R.D. Goppert Event Center
90s Mixtape
Friday and Saturday, October 24-25, 2025 at 8:00 p.m.
Sunday, October 26, 2025 at 2:00 p.m.
Helzberg Hall, Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts
Stuart Chafetz, Guest Conductor
Ciara Renée, Vocals
Julie Reiber, Vocals
Tamar Greene, Vocals
Jim Hogan, Vocals
Brian Kushmaul, Drums
Selections will be announced from the stage. There will be an intermission.
The 2025/26 season is generously sponsored by SHIRLEY and BARNETT C. HELZBERG, JR.
Friday’s performance is sponsored by GRACE G. and DR. JAMES M. HOBBS II
Additional support provided by
STUART CHAFETZ
GUEST CONDUCTOR
tuart Chafetz is the principal pops conductor of the Columbus, Chautauqua and Marin symphonies. Chafetz, a conductor celebrated for his dynamic and engaging podium presence, is increasingly in demand with orchestras across the continent. This season Chafetz will be on the podium in Detroit, Naples, Buffalo, Kansas City, Vancouver and Seattle. He enjoys a special relationship with the Phoenix Symphony, where he leads multiple programs annually.
Chafetz’s original programs are a signature of his artistic profile. His popular programs, including “Symphonic Genesis and Phil Collins” and “Totally 80s,” showcase the orchestra in an especially entertaining way and attract large audiences throughout North America.
Chafetz previously held posts as resident conductor of the Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra and associate conductor of the Louisville Orchestra. As principal timpanist of the Honolulu Symphony for twenty years, Chafetz also conducted the annual Nutcracker performances with Ballet Hawaii and principals from the American Ballet Theatre.
Chafetz makes his home near San Francisco, California, with his wife, Ann Krinitsky. He holds a bachelor’s degree in music performance from the College-Conservatory of Music at the University of Cincinnati and a master’s degree from the Eastman School of Music.
90s Mixtape Musician Bios
CIARA RENÉE Vocals
Ciara Renée most recently starred in the Paper Mill Playhouse’s production of Gun & Powder. She can also be seen in a season-long arc of the hit Showtime series “Your Honor” opposite Bryan Cranston as well as the IFC feature “Paint” opposite Owen Wilson.
In addition, Ciara starred in the world premiere of The Lonely Few at the Geffen Playhouse and as Jenna in Waitress on Broadway; before that she was the first woman of color to play Elsa in Disney’s Frozen on Broadway. Previously, Ciara starred in MCC’s The Wrong Man, originated the role of the Witch in Big Fish and appeared as the Leading Player in Pippin on Broadway. She also originated the role of Esmeralda in The Hunchback of Notre Dame at the Papermill Playhouse and was Peggy/Maria in the final lab of Hamilton. Ciara splits her time between New York and Los Angeles and also directs and produces for both stage and screen.
Other television credits include “The Big Bang Theory,” Facebook’s “Strangers,” Netflix’s “Master of None” and “Legends of Tomorrow.” Ciara also directed a developmental run of the off-Broadway premiere of Millennials Are Killing Musicals (2023).
JULIE REIBER Vocals
Julie is a working actor and singer living in New Jersey. She is a Broadway staple, having performed in seven Broadway shows, and has sung with symphonies around the world. She is also a working mom and a passionate activist.
Julie is currently starring as Mary Jane Healy in the Tony® and Grammy® award-winning hit musical Jagged Little Pill. She most recently closed the hit show Come From Away (CFA) on Broadway. Among the many blessings CFA brought, one of the highlights for Julie was performing as Beverley Bass in the CFA concert on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial honoring the 20th anniversary of 9/11. She also played Beverley in the NPR Tiny Desk Concert of Come From Away.
She is best known for playing the iconic green girl Elphaba in Wicked with the Broadway and L.A. companies. Other Broadway credits include BKLYN, All Shook Up, Priscilla Queen of the Desert and Newsies.
Julie has performed as a soloist with orchestras around the world, including performing with the Korean Symphony in the Olympic Hall in Seoul, South Korea. Her debut album, “Love Travels,” can be found on iTunes and Spotify.
90s Mixtape Musician Bios (cont.)
TAMAR GREENE Vocals
Tamar Greene is the current George Washington in the Broadway company of Hamilton. Tamar has graced stages worldwide, including venues across America and in Italy, Germany, England and the Caribbean.
As a proud first-generation American, born of Jamaican and British parents, Tamar is a versatile artist whose musical passions mirror his eclectic background. As a writer, arranger, classical pianist and opera singer, he combines much of his inspiration from classical music, reggae, hip-hop, R&B, blues and jazz.
Alongside Tamar’s robust vocal studio, he is a frequent collegiate masterclass clinician and lecturer across America. Tamar’s fervent stance on social and racial equity has led him to be nominated as a representative for Ham4Progress, Hamilton’s racial justice task force, and has raised national census awareness, increased voter registration and acted to invest in communities of color.
JIM HOGAN Vocals
Jim Hogan is thrilled to be back with the Kansas City Symphony for the first time since appearing as the tenor soloist in “The Leading Men of Broadway”! Jim is currently appearing as Buddy in the first national tour of Jeanine Tesori and David Lindsay-Abaire’s Tony® Award-winning Best Musical, Kimberly Akimbo, the same show in which he made his Broadway debut. National touring credits include Waitress, The Phantom of the Opera and Spring Awakening. When Jim’s not performing on Broadway or with symphony orchestras across the U.S. and Canada, he’s a member of internet-sensation vocal group T.3 (@t.3official)! They made their mark on social media platforms like TikTok and Instagram with inventive arrangements of Disney, Broadway and pop songs, leading them to a successful run on NBC’s “America’s Got Talent,” performing at Carnegie Hall and selling out shows across the U.S. They signed a record deal with Warner Music and Straight No Chaser Records and their debut EP, “Option Up,” is available everywhere you stream music. Keep up with Jim on all social media outlets: @jimhogan220.
90s Mixtape Musician Bios (cont.)
BRIAN KUSHMAUL Drums
Percussionist Brian Kushmaul enjoys a career as a versatile musician and educator. He currently serves as principal percussionist of the Chautauqua Symphony Orchestra and principal timpanist of the IRIS Orchestra. As a teacher he has taught at the University of Evansville, University of Louisville and University of Trinidad and Tobago, and he currently leads the percussion program at the Chautauqua Music School. He has performed with many U.S. orchestras, including those of St. Louis, Cleveland, Columbus, Phoenix, San Diego and Louisville. He has recorded with the Central Standard Time jazz quartet and Al Sur flamenco ensemble as well as several new music projects with the IBIS Ensemble in Trinidad. Brian currently resides in Western New York with his wife and two daughters.
Carnival of the Animals
Sunday, November 9, 2025 at 2:00 p.m.
Helzberg Hall, Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts
Daniel Wiley, David T. Beals III Associate Conductor
Alex Espy, Narrator
Larry Figg, Juggler
Jan Kraybill, Piano
Dan Velicer, Piano
Reggie Regg the Magic Man, Magician
The 2025/26 season is generously sponsored by SHIRLEY and BARNETT C. HELZBERG, JR.
Additional support provided by
Igor Stravinsky
Edward Elgar
Aram Khachaturian
Camille Saint-Saëns
Léo Delibes
Camille Saint-Saëns
Bedřich Smetana, arr. Riesenfeld
Pétrouchka
I. The Shrovetide Fair
The Wand of Youth, Suite II
V. The Tame Bear
“Sabre Dance” from Gayane
Danse macabre, op. 40
“Pizzicato” from Sylvia
Carnival of the Animals
I. Introduction and Royal March of the Lion
II. Hens and Roosters
III. Horses of the Tartary (Fleet Animals)
IV. Tortoises
V. The Elephant
VI. Kangaroos
VII. Aquarium
VIII. People with Long Ears
IX. The Cuckoo in the Depths of the Forest
X. Aviary
XI. Pianists
XII. Fossils
XIII. The Swan
XIV. Finale
Three Dances from The Bartered Bride
III. Dance of the Comedians
DANIEL WILEY
DAVID T. BEALS III ASSOCIATE CONDUCTOR
aniel Wiley is a dynamic conductor quickly establishing himself across North America. He has appeared with leading ensembles including the Cincinnati Symphony, Cincinnati Ballet, Kansas City Symphony, Nashville Symphony, Indianapolis Symphony, Minnesota Orchestra, Calgary Philharmonic, Toledo Symphony, Wichita Symphony, Orchestra Iowa, Quad City Ballet, Salisbury Symphony, Windsor Symphony Orchestra, Windsor Abridged Opera, London Symphonia, Boise Philharmonic, Abilene Philharmonic, Meridian Symphony (ID), Equilibrium Ensemble and University of North Florida Opera.
Daniel currently serves as the associate conductor of the Kansas City Symphony and music director of the Salisbury Symphony, Anderson Symphony and West Valley Symphony. Previous appointments include assistant conductor of the Cincinnati Symphony and Pops, May Festival and Jacksonville Symphony; associate conductor of the Windsor Symphony Orchestra; and music director roles with the Windsor Symphony Youth Orchestras, Windsor Symphony Community Orchestra and Texas Academy of Mathematics and Science Youth Orchestra. He has also served as visiting professor and wind ensemble conductor at the University of Windsor’s School of Creative Arts, education conductor for London Symphonia and conductor for Windsor Abridged Opera.
A former public-school music teacher, Daniel remains passionate about supporting young musicians, frequently serving as a guest clinician for student ensembles across North America.
ALEX ESPY
NARRATOR
lex Espy returns to the Kansas City Symphony after collaborating on “Around the World in 80 Days” for their 2024 Family Series. Other Symphony concerts include “Peter and the Wolf” (2013, 2015, 2019, 2022), “The Remarkable Farkle McBride” (2016) and “Around the World in 80 Days” (2017) among others. In addition to the Symphony, Alex has collaborated with the Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art, Coterie Theatre, Unicorn Theatre, Living Room Theater, Okoboji Summer Theater and Theater for Young America. Alex currently serves as Education Director at What if Puppets, formerly Mesner Puppet Theater.
About the Kansas City Symphony
only its 43rd season, the Kansas City Symphony has already become one of America’s most vibrant major orchestras and has gained national and international recognition. With the 2024/25 season, the Symphony welcomed conductor and composer Matthias Pintscher as its new music director. Pintscher regularly conducts many of the world’s best orchestras and opera companies and ranks as one of the world’s foremost composers of orchestral music.
Continually creating live music experiences in Helzberg Hall, located in the prestigious Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts, the Symphony serves Kansas City’s metro population of more than 2.2 million people as well as welcoming visitors from around the globe. The Symphony’s 80 full-time musicians from around the world bring a diverse and dynamic range of musical experiences to our audiences in both orchestral and chamber music formats each season. In addition to concerts in Helzberg Hall, Symphony musicians perform throughout the region on our portable stage, the Mobile Music Box. The Symphony also serves as the orchestra for the Kansas City Ballet and the Lyric Opera of Kansas City, adding to the rich cultural experiences that these organizations offer to the community.
Top international soloists perform with the Kansas City Symphony every season, including brilliant classical musicians, popular singer/ songwriters, rock bands and other creative performers. The Symphony also performs live soundtracks for a variety of fan-favorite films, with the movie projected on a giant screen above the stage.
Music connects us; it has the unique ability to draw us closer to our inner selves and also closer to one another, transcending our differences. Every Kansas City Symphony concert will take you on an emotional journey — a journey that’s deeply personal but also a journey that we all experience together as one.
We’re happy you are here. We are your Kansas City Symphony.
Symphony Society Contributors
The list of individual contributors includes gifts of $2,500 or more received during our 2024/25 season.
MAESTRO’S CIRCLE
($100,000 and Above)
Anonymous (2)
Virginia and Charles Clark
Paul DeBruce and Linda Woodsmall-DeBruce / The DeBruce Foundation
Barnett and Shirley Helzberg ◊
Marilyn McConnell
Michael A. Waterford
COMPOSER’S CIRCLE
($50,000 to $99,999)
Ann Baum /
G. Kenneth and Ann Baum
Philanthropic Fund
Web and Tracy Bixby
J.B.† and Anne Hodgdon
Min and Fan Kao
Mr.† and Mrs. Stuart Knutson
Bill and Peggy Lyons ◊
Lorraine Martin ◊
Jean and Tom McDonnell
Virginia Merrill†
Betty C. Scott ◊
Dana Seeley
Vera and Mike† Seeley
John and Marny Sherman
Kent Sunderland
MUSICIAN’S CIRCLE
($30,000 to $49,999)
June Beaver
David A. Cooley, M.D.
J. Scott Francis, Discretionary Fund /
Francis Family Foundation
Michael and Marlys Haverty
Michael† and Susan Newburger ◊
Betsy Piebenga
Charlotte and Bob Ronan ◊
BRAVURA CIRCLE
($12,500 to $29,999)
Anonymous
Phil and Alice Bixby
The Brandmeyer Family
Marian Wood Bump
Grant and Wendy Burcham
Kenny and Sherrie Burgess
Susan and Charles Chambers
Tim Cook
Curtis and Lillian Cooper
William and Dorothy Curry
Paul and Lynn Douthat
John M. and Mary Ann Edgar / Edgar Law Firm LLC
Howard and Anne Elsberry
Sue Ann and Richard Fagerberg
Michael D. Fields ◊
Bill and Christy Gautreaux
Michael and Sara Gentry
Kenneth and Marilyn Hager
Donald Hall, Sr.†
Hargroves Family Foundation
Charles and Barbara Haviland
Dr. Sara Hicks and Mr. Michael O’Connell
Liz and John Hjalmarson
Dr. James M. and Grace G. Hobbs II
Ellen and Irv Hockaday ◊
Chris and Adele Hodgdon ◊
Sharon and John Hoffman
Rod and Susan Kelley
Kirk Foundation / Judy Kirk
Carol and John Kornitzer
Daniel and Jan Lewis
Carl Manning and Dana Fields
Ford and Christine Maurer
Pat and Beth McCown
Mike and Jan McGraw
John and Jackie Middelkamp
Edward P. Milbank
Sue and Lewis Nerman
Lyman and Sally Ott ◊
George and Wendy Powell ◊
Gary C. Robb and Anita Porte Robb
Wallace and Mary Fern Souder
Randy and Mary Ann St. Clair
Jonathan and Meredith Sternberg
Linda S. Stevens ◊
Robert M. Suhre ◊
Bill and Marilyn Taylor ◊
Steve and Linda Taylor
Melanie and H. Wayne Thompson, Jr.
Ann Marie Trask
Marylou Turner ◊
Chasitie and Michael Walden / Burgess Family Foundation
Connie Walker
Daniel Walker ◊
CRESCENDO CIRCLE
($6,000 to $12,499)
Anonymous (3)
M. Wayne Alexander and John W. Braum ◊
Scott and Bernadette Ashcraft
Sara and Stephen Balawajder
Brian and Jennifer Blake
Dr. Carol Blum and Mr. Steven Wilson
Dr. Valerie Chow and Judge Jon R. Gray (ret)
Martha Comment
Bunni and Paul Copaken
Robert Cross
Michael and Diane Dark
Richard and Maureen
Durwood Foundation
Warren and Jenny Erdman
Michael and Melanie Fenske
Byron and Dana Fink
Shelly Freeman and Kimberly Jones
Suzanne Frisse ◊
Marilyn A.W. and Norman E. Gaar, Esq.† ◊
Jacob Gerson
James Gerson
John and Lynn Gerson
Levi and Emily Gerson
Gregory E. Gille
Peter and Chris Godfrey
Myonza Gray
Edmund and Michiko Gross
Christopher and Marsha Haufler
James Heryer and Annette Evans
Heidelmann Jackson
Family Fund / Kelda Jackson and Georg Heidelmann
Kim and Ted Higgins
Bill and Irma Lou Hirsch
Linda Houston Foundation
Beth Ingram
Roger and Sandy Jackson
Tom and Madeline Johnson
Steve Joss ◊
Nancy L. Kain ◊
Dr. Andrew Kao
Julie Kemper Foyer and Jean-Charles Foyer
Bruce and Janet Kernes
Kirk Foundation
James C. Kogel ◊
Mordy Kopperman
Lois Lacy
Michael and Patricia Manners
Doug and Nina McKenna
JoZach Miller and Peter Bali
Dr. and Mrs. Fred Neuer
George and Cynthia Norton
George and Suzy Pagels
Bobby and Eleanor Patton
Dr. Ron and Donna Patton ◊
John and Linda Perkins
Drs. Sanford and Elizabeth Peterson
Sarah, Joseph, Pamela and Donald Raffurty
Greg and Caroline Reintjes
Jill Ingram Reynolds
Sid and Jeannine Richison
William and Nancy Scheerer ◊
Ken Schmitz
James and Katherine Schorgl
Suzanne Shank and John Lohmeyer
Dr. Elisa S. Silverstein
Greg and Barbara Storm
Ann and John Sundeen, Jr.
David and Meg Swant
Sven and Julia Sykes
Mary and Al Tikwart
Robert and Merrill Walz ◊
Gena and Steven Williams
John and Karen Yungmeyer
OVERTURE CIRCLE
($3,500 to $5,999)
Anonymous
Patty Aenchbacher
Mr. and Mrs. James Andrews
Richard and Emily Ballentine
Leonard and Irene Bettinger
Philanthropic Fund of the Jewish Community Foundation of Greater Kansas City
Doug and Cindy Brown
Wendy and Troy Burgess ◊
Mary Canham
Robert L. Claassen
Donna Gould Cohen
Jane and George Cornwell
Uta Cross
Dr. and
Mrs. Thomas P. Cummings
Nancy Doty Davis
Cary and Pam DeCamp
Steven DeWilde and Bradley Pearson
Mark and Lisa Ebbitts
Constance B. Fayen
Ellen Feldhausen
Joerg and Christa Finger
Mark and Nancy Gilman
Dr. and
Mrs. Charles W. Gorodetzky
Dr. Robert Graham and Dr. Jane E. Henney
Denise Griffey and Leon Langlitz ◊
Dr. Allen and Mrs. Gail Gutovitz
Chuck and Karen Haber
Katie and Aaron Hackman
Dr. Richard and Julie Hellman
Pamela T. Henderson
Bradley and Karen Hodges
Pegge Hudgins
Dr. Randall and Doranne Hudson ◊
Quinton and Kristen Huffman ◊
Randy and Kelly Huffman
Vicki and Harold James
Allen and Carol Jenks
Dick and Sandy Jones
Dr. Newton Jones and Mr. James Corrick
Dr. Robert Klein
Dr. Barbara Lukert and Estate of Mary Stoskopf
Martha, Greg, and Terri Maddux
Pete and Michelle Mirakian
Pam and Jim Nolan
Christopher and Megan Olvera
Nancy Panzer-Howell
Willy Pegues and Hayat Abdullahi
Leslie Pfriem
Patricia Raffel
Reses Apfel Family / Jacqueline D. Reses
Fred and Susan Reynolds ◊
Scott and Beth Riekeman
Michelle and Chuck Ritter
Lisa and Charles Schellhorn
Randy Sedlacek and Mary Ventura
Clarence E. Simmons, Jr.
Joe and Susan Sims ◊
Louis and Sharon Smith
Susan and Tuck Spaulding
Jeannine Strandjord
Sue Strickler
Fr. Paul Turner
John and Angela Walker
Steven and Janet Walker
Dr. Mark and Mary Ellen Walton
Chris Wasmund
Howard and Irene Weiner
Janice White
John and Mary Sue Williams
Claire† and Russell Wilson
George and Beverley Wilson
Dave and Shirley Wurth
Bernie Young and Sandra Holt
Karl and Beth Zobrist
Symphony Society Contributors (cont.)
FANFARE CIRCLE ($2,500 to $3,499)
Anonymous (2)
Susan and Ho Anthony Ahn
Joe and Malinda Algaier
Steve and Jeri Allison
Ida B. Anderson
Bruce and Gerry Barker
Scott and Robin Boswell
Tom and Judy Bowser ◊
Cheryl and Barry Brady
Robert and Pamela Bruce
Stephen and Susan Bubb
Gerard and Judy Bukowski
Steve and Sally Burk
Forrest Chumley and Barbara Valent
Ron and Kim Coker
Jeff Cotter and Karen Suhre
Suzanne Crandall
Una Creditor ◊
Bill Dickinson and Barbara Loots
Carol and Mark Dirkes
Dr. Margaret Estrin Drinkwine and Mr. Frank Drinkwine
Lisa and Buzzah Feingold
Brad and Mary Footh
Bradley and Theresa Freilich
Mark Gardner
Sally Groves
Susan and Zack Hangauer
John Hardesty and Marilyn Macha
Charles and Mary Kay Horner
M. Indellicate
Mr. Michael Kauphusman and Dr. Sandra Archer
John and Ann Kenney
Allan King and Nancy Bean
Drs. Kathy M. Krause and Robert H. Lee
Norman and Margaret Kressmann ◊
Ermalyn Kubart and Clinton Ludeman
Dr. and Mrs. Steven B. Laster
Larry and Marilyn Lewis
Bruce and Priscilla Long
Tim and Martha Madderom
Donna and Rex Martin
Mr. and Mrs. Barry C. Mayhew
Michael and Julie McCann
William McCollum and Diana Hadl
Julia and Dennis Meyer
Pam and Joe Meyer
Sharon Milens
Donald and Linda Milligan
Teresa and James Minton
Gloria Mueller
Linda and George Neill
Dr. Mark Neustrom
Dr. Jayne Opeña Bumgarner
and Mr. Jerry Bumgarner
Mr. and Mrs. Charles Penner
Howard Pitler
Melodie A. Powell and Jerry L. Short
William and Stacy Pratt
Kathryn and James Prevost
Joseph and Kelly Privitera
David Raffel
Philip and Nancy Reicher
Dennis and Palle Rilinger ◊
Constance Roeder ◊
Dr. and Mrs. Steven Romondo
Dr. Thomas Russell
Nelson and Rachael Sabates
Glen and Susan Sands
Jim and Barb Scherer
Janice and Mark Schonwetter
Don W. Shanks ◊
Dr. John Sheets and Dr. Joy Stevenson
Christopher and Lisa Sirridge
Rick and Betsey Solberg ◊
Drs. David E. and Frances G. Sternberg
Connie Stirgus-Marley
Tate Family Foundation
Don and Cathy Thomson
Darrel and Linda Thomssen
Dr. Angela and Mr. Patrick Valadez
Deanna and Larry Van Cleave
Dale E. Walker
Myron and Nicole Wang
Dr. and Mrs. Terrence R. Ward
Mr. and Mrs. William F. Webb
Heinz Wehner and Judith Biggs
Charles and Linda Wells
Sheila Wikas ◊
Mark and Heather Winiarski
Jerry and Tammy Wood
Dr. Michael J. and Cindy S. Wurm
John and Carol Yorke
We are grateful for all donations. We make every effort to list donors accurately. Space limitations, however, don’t allow us to print every gift in the program book. If we have omitted a name, or if you would like to modify your listing, please call 816.218.2624.
Premier Senior Living in
Foundations and Organizations
The list of foundation and organization contributors includes gifts received during our 2024/25 season.
MAESTRO’S CIRCLE
($100,000 and Above)
City of Kansas City, Missouri
DeBruce Foundation
Hall Family Foundation
Kansas City Symphony Alliance
Muriel McBrien Kauffman Family Foundation
Bebe and Crosby Kemper Foundation for the Arts, UMB Bank n.a., Trustee
William T. Kemper Foundation — Commerce Bank, Trustee
Missouri Arts Council
Richard J. Stern Foundation for the Arts — Commerce Bank, Trustee
Symphony League
COMPOSER’S CIRCLE
($50,000 to $99,999)
Kansas City Symphony Guild
Kao Family Foundation
National WWI Museum and Memorial
Neighborhood Tourist Development Fund, City of Kansas City, Missouri
The Seeley Foundation
MUSICIAN’S CIRCLE
($25,000 to $49,999)
Marion and Henry Bloch Family Foundation
Curry Family Foundation
Arvin Gottlieb Charitable Foundation, Peter W. Brown, Barton J. Cohen, UMB Bank, n.a., Trustees
Michael and Marlys Haverty Family Foundation Fund
Frank and Margaret G. McGee Fund
National Endowment for the Arts
Pemberton Family Charitable Foundation
J.B. Reynolds Foundation
The Sosland Foundation
Mark Edelman Theater Fund at the Jewish Community Foundation of Greater Kansas City
BENEFACTOR
($10,000 to $24,999)
Anonymous
The Cross Foundation
The Ronald D. Deffenbaugh Foundation
Elsberry Family Foundation
Fondation Foyer, Julie Kemper Foyer and Jean-Charles Foyer
The Ingram Family Foundation
Kirk Foundation
Oppenstein Brothers Foundation
Victor E. and Caroline E. Schutte Foundation
Ralph L. Smith Illumination Fund
PATRON
($5,000 to $9,999)
Almy Legacy Fund
Gerson Family Foundation
McCown Family Foundation
Bill McGlaughlin Education Fund
Louis and Frances Swinken
Supporting Foundation of the Jewish Community Foundation of Greater Kansas City
SUSTAINER
($1,000 to $4,999)
The Breidenthal-Snyder Foundation
R.A. Long Foundation
Miller Nichols Charitable Foundation
Henry E. Wurst Family Foundation
Business Alliance Corporate Contributions
The list of corporate contributors includes gifts received during our 2024/25 season.
BUSINESS ALLIANCE
MAESTRO’S CIRCLE
($100,000 and Above)
Bank of America
Hallmark Corporate Foundation
BUSINESS ALLIANCE
COMPOSER’S CIRCLE
($50,000 to $99,999)
Ford Motor Company
Kansas City PBS
Webster House Garage, LLC
BUSINESS ALLIANCE PLATINUM PARTNER
($25,000 to $49,999)
The H & R Block Foundation
Helzberg Diamonds
PNC Foundation
Union Station
BUSINESS ALLIANCE
GOLD PARTNER
($10,000 to $24,999)
AdventHealth
BlueScope Foundation
Cerris
Evergy
JE Dunn Construction Company
KC Parks and Recreation
Kissick Construction Company
McCownGordon Construction
Spencer Fane LLP
BUSINESS ALLIANCE
PRINCIPAL PARTNER
($5,000 to $9,999)
Ash Grove Cement Company
Associated Audiologists, Inc.
Burns & McDonnell
Country Club Bank
Dollar, Burns, Becker & Hershewe
Forvis Mazars
HMXLive
Humana
Kansas City Life Insurance Company
Kansas City University
Mark One Electric Company, Inc.
Optum
Parisi Coffee
Renewal by Andersen
Restless Spirits Distilling
U.S. Engineering Holdings
BUSINESS ALLIANCE PARTNER
($3,000 to $4,999)
Adams Brown Wealth Consultants
Black & McDonald
Brown & Brown
Blue Bird Bistro
CBIZ
EPR Properties
Fannie’s West African Cuisine
Foley Equipment
Fountain City Winery
Gill Studios, Inc.
Global Prairie
Kansas City Bier Co.
KurlCultureKC
J. Rieger & Co.
Lamp Rynearson - Civil Engineering & Land Surveying
Price Brothers Management Company
Shook, Hardy & Bacon L.L.P.
State Street
Straub Construction Company, Inc.
BUSINESS FRIEND ($500 to $2,999)
Alice Scooper’s Ice Cream Co.
American Century Investments
AM CPA
Amos Family Funeral Home
Anderson and Associates
Atomic Cowboy
Bach to Rock
Beer Kitchen
Bizz & Weezy Confections
Blue Cross Blue Shield of Kansas City
Blue Sky Advisors, LLC
BRR Architecture
Creative Planning
Dillingham Enterprises, Inc.
DL & CL Investments
Excel Constructors
Fairway Creamery
Footprints Heroes Home Gate
Garmin
Greater Kansas City Chamber of Commerce
Green Dirt on Oak
Heartland Coca-Cola Bottling Co.
Heavenly Homes Team Real Estate
HFG Architecture
His & Her Fitness
J. Rieger & Co.
John Rufenacht Assoc. Inc.
Katie Grimes CrossCountry Mortgage
Lifted Spirits Distillery
CLASSICAL CONCERT
Lockton Companies Inc.
Lulu’s Thai Noodle Shop
Mariner
McQuaid Brothers Remodeling
Merrill Lynch/David Voysey
Metcalf Auto Plaza
Michelle Deutch DDS
Mission Farms
Mixture
Neon Palm Ice
Oak & Steel
Payne & Jones, Chartered Foundation
Polsinelli
Pulse Design Group
Rank & Roberts Real Estate
Reliant Financial Services
SageView Advisory - Kansas City
SHS MedTech Consulting
Terrasi Living & Scandia Home
The Homesteader Cafe LLC
Taco Naco KC
TouchBase Chiropractic & Wellness
Walz Tetrick Advertising
Wandering Vine
Warriors’ Ascent
West Bottoms Whiskey Co.
Wis-Pak Brands - BUBBL’R
Union Hill
MAHLER: SYMPHONY NO. 7
Friday, November 21 | 8 pm (Symphonic Piazza)
Saturday, November 22 | 8 pm
Sunday, November 23 | 2 pm
Matthias Pintscher, music director and conductor
Emergency Evacuation Procedure
The Kauffman Center is equipped with advanced life-safety early alert systems. Each performance hall is designed with emergency exits in case of an evacuation. In the event of severe weather, shelter in place inside the hall, not in a lobby area, and await further instructions.
In the event of an emergency, the performance will be interrupted. Horns and strobes will sound. Emergency instructions will be delivered from the stage.
Please remain seated as staff use an appropriate amount of investigational time to verify the source of the alarm.* Should an evacuation be necessary, lighted red (Muriel Kauffman Theatre) and green (Helzberg Hall) exit signs will lead patrons to one of eight emergency exit paths.
Patrons who are not able to safely and comfortably navigate stairs should remain in the venue near one of the marked “Emergency Evacuation Assistance” areas. First responders will evacuate those requiring assistance immediately upon their arrival.
Elevators, primary entrances and the Brandmeyer Great Hall staircase are NOT used in the case of an emergency evacuation.
For more information on emergency evacuation procedures, visit kauffmancenter.org/policies.
Friday, December 5 | 7 pm
Saturday, December 6 | 7 pm
Sunday, December 7 | 2 pm
Nicholas McGegan, guest conductor
*Kauffman Center’s emergency egress plan, which includes an appropriate amount of investigational time to verify the source of an alarm, was developed with the assistance of the Kansas City, MO Fire Marshall’s Office.
PARK UNIVERSITY
INTERNATIONAL CENTER FOR MUSIC
2025-26 CONCERT SEASON
September 5, 2025, 1900 Building
Molly Carr, Viola and Anna Petrova, Piano
October 3, 2025, Graham Tyler
Memorial Chapel
Park ICM Orchestra Fall Concert
Guest Conductor Timothy Hankewich
October 23, 2025, 1900 Building
Shmuel Ashkenasi, Violin, with ICM Faculty
November 13, 2025, 1900 Building
Stanislav Ioudenitch Piano Studio
December 5, 2025, Graham Tyler
Memorial Chapel
An Intimate Christmas with the ICM Orchestra
Conductor Steven McDonald
January 23, 2026, 1900 Building
Ben Sayevich, Violin and Lolita Lisovskaya-Sayevich, Piano
February 6, 2026, Graham Tyler
Memorial Chapel
Park ICM Orchestra Valentine Concert
Guest Conductor Filippo Ciabatti
March 13, 2026, 1900 Building
ICM String Studios
March 21, 2026, Kauffman Center
Stanislav & Friends Gala
April 17, 2026, Graham Tyler
Memorial Chapel
Park ICM Orchestra Season Finale
Guest Conductor Jason Seber
May 1, 2026, 1900 Building
Behzod Abduraimov, Piano
1900 BUILDING
Mission Woods, KS
KAUFFMAN CENTER FOR THE PERFORMING ARTS
Kansas City, MO
GRAHAM TYLER
MEMORIAL CHAPEL
Parkville, MO
All concerts begin at 7:30 p.m. except for Stanislav & Friends which begins at 7 p.m.
LEAWOOD TOWN CENTER PLAZA • OAK PARK MALL
LIBERTY WILSHIRE PLAZA • 39TH STREET—INDEPENDENCE
SUMMITWOODS CROSSING • ZONA ROSA