By the Numbers…
Honoring WNC’s Creative Spirit with 26 Years of Symphonic Excellence!
2025-2026 Season
Pictured: “Boom-De-Ay” May 2026
Photo Credit: Kathy Kmonicek
Music Director,
Dr. Emily Mariko Eng
6
Programmatic Themes
Concertmaster,
Paula Akbar
Honoring her service with the BRO
Photo credit: Kathy Kmonicek
1,924
Patrons
97
Musicians
12
Students
9
Venues
44+
Volunteers
VIOLIN I
Paula Akbar
Concertmaster
Susan Anderson
Noah Bijesse
Arnold Brown
Leah Hart
Kathryn Landry
Tina Muzzi
Tamara Rohrer
VIOLIN II
Susan Anderson
Spencer Arndt
Christina Demetropoulos
Ashe Denny
Day Ann Emory
Macy Horn
Daniel Pinelli
Holley Ross
Janet Spletzer
Abby Walker
Sophia Ward
Kylie Wilkinson
Laura Williamson
VIOLA
Claudia Malchow
Principal
Debbie Baumann
Nick Frost
Ilona Harabin
Daniel Leich
Melanie Mauldin
Brynn McKay
Brenda Phetteplace
Rhona Reagen
Anele Saige
Alicia Williams
Musicians
Section musicians aside from principal designations are listed alphabetically.
VIOLONCELLO
Rachel Hahn
Principal
Zo Taddie
Sam Head
Elizabeth Henderson
Clara Lampkin
Eric Sands
Simon Stout
CONTRABASS
BJ Sharp
Principal
Luke Baunack
Leo Bjorlie
Michael Dykes
August Meyer
Zack Page
John Siebenthaler
Allison Zemanek
FLUTE/PICCOLO
Bradford Malbon
Principal
Sophia Anastasia
Sarah Cifani
Amber Cook
OBOE
Carlton Alexander
Principal
Jennifer McHenry
Ed Ramey
ENGLISH HORN
Carlton Alexander
CLARINET
Justin Landry
Principal
Jennifer Garnett
BASSOON
Jennifer Anderson
Mary Macphee
William Nunan
Jackson Pressley
Will Peebles
HORN
Elizabeth Richard
Principal
Allen Dudley
Joanne Edelman
Marcia Jones
Don Wauchope
Mary Williamson
TRUMPET
Casey Coppenbarger
Principal
Aiden Doss
Julie Fino
Alex Holguin
Gabe Holguin
Christian Kraemer
Richard Lewis
Mickey Murray
Will Rhodarmer
TROMBONE
Rienette Davis
Principal
J.P. Carney
Mathias Farley
Andrew Johnson
Charles Johnson
TUBA
Mark Bower
Bryce Hall
TIMPANI
Michelle Summey
PERCUSSION
Mario Gaetano
Principal
Luccia Marguglio
Peyton Parrish
Alex Richmond
Sage Sabo
HARP
Toni Cherub
PIANO
Garret Faatz
Since 1999 and our nonprofit designation in 2005, we have quelled the loneliness of worldly obstacles with the universal force of beloved and innovative melodies. From the corners of Buncombe County, Haywood County, and Henderson County, from the concert hall to the vineyard —quality orchestral music deserves to be heard, honored, and celebrated.
FROM OUR AUDIENCE:
“I have been glowing following the weekend. It was a very special collaboration, and thank you for bringing this new work to life!”
-Jay Sanders (Featured Composer), Post-Helene, September, 2026
“In stepping up to a challenge, you never surprise. You always delight. These concerts were no exception to that. Thank you for wowing our audience and moving them to tears and joy.”
-Board Director, Post-Helene, September 2026
“To watch Dr. Eng and to hear the musicians produce that magic was a sheer joy. The Rakowski was fun, and the Rachmaninoff was lyrical, soaring, powerful.”
-Audience Member, Ta-Ra-Ra, Feb-Mar. 2026
“Some performances transcend the physicality of producing the music. The bows on the strings, the wind through the horns, fingers on the keys, mallets on the percussion — they all disappear, and the only thing is the music. This was one of those. I found myself involuntarily smiling from ear to ear, and the third movement of Rachmaninoff brought me to tears. One of our front-hall volunteers leapt to her feet, beaming, grabbed my arm and said, "You must be so proud of them.”
-Board member message to BRO musicians, Ta-Ra-Ra, Feb.-Mar. 2026
FEATURED GUEST ARTISTS
Paul Johnson, Banjo
Susan Anderson, Fiddle
Christina Demetropoulos, Mandolin
August Meyer, Guitar
Clara Lampkin-Blythe, Voice
Zack Page, Bass
Bill Bares, Piano
Alan Hall, Drum set
Sarah Trent, Harpsichord
Garret Faatz, Piano
Haywood Choral Society
Asheville Area Vocal Ensemble
Business Friends 2025-’26
Friends of the Blue Ridge Orchestra
INDIVIDUALS
IN MEMORIAM-
BRO Friends
John & Janet Long: In memory of Gail Jolley
Vicki Richards: In memory of Gail Jolley
SUSTAINERS ($2500+)
The Gail Jolley Cadenza Fund
Francee & Richard Healy
Keith Keener
Gary Spaulding & Deb Kenney
BENEFACTORS ($1000+)
Ruth Hall
Ann & Jerry McLellan
Anna C. Nagy
Rhona Reagen
Kay Rouse
Craig T. Smith
Melon Wedick & Jonathan Stockdale
Dr. John W. Wells and Dr. Shannon C. Earle
PATRONS ($500+)
Paul Alexander: In honor of Carlton Alexander, Oboe
Beverly Briedis: In honor of Ruth Hall
Arnold & Marguerite S. Brown
Deborah K. Delano- In honor of Gary Spaulding & Deb Kenney
Sharman Johnson & Sharon ‘Jessie’ Jessup
Mack and Melanie Johnston
Stephen Snap
Gary Ticknor & Linda Lutz
Sarah Van Gunten
Paul Walker & Kirsten Sikkelee: In honor of Abigail Walker
SUPPORTERS ($250+)
Janice Brown & David Goldsmith
William A. Carpenter & Terri Q. Carpenter
Rich & Holly D'Amour
Day Ann & Bruce Emory
Elizabeth & Andy Glatstein: In Memory Of Kathryn Sue Freeman
Marian & Thomas Jerdee
Charles Johnson & Leslie Bennis
Scott & Elizabeth Malbon
Charlie & Shirley Mitchell
Victoria E. Mobberly: In honor of Franklin Keel
Brenda Phetteplace: In memory of Tom Trout
Ruth Planey & Stephen Boyer: In honor of Craig Smith
C. David Pomeroy, Jr.: In memory of Cait Pomeroy
Tamara & Mark Rohrer
BJ Sharp
Major General William Waff
Beau & Wendy Ward
BUSINESSES
Platinum ($2,500+)
Arts Avl
Buncombe County
Dogwood Health Trust
North Carolina Arts Council
North Carolina Community Foundation’s Disaster Relief Fund
Ingles Markets
Mosaic Community Lifestyle Realty
Souther Williams Vineyard
Gold ($1000+)
University of North Carolina Asheville
The Dan Lucas Memorial Fund
The Organic Mechanic
Fred Anderson Subaru
Silver ($500+)
Blue Ridge Public Radio
Givens Communities
HomeTrust Bank
Lexington Glassworks
Bronze ($250+)
Asheville Pediatric Associates, P.A.
Brock Builders
Colton Mattress Factory
Elevation Lofts Hotel
Gillespie Dental Associates
The Palmer Company
Rickenbacker Violins
White Labs Brewing Co.
BACKERS ($100+)
Anonymous
Paula Akbar
Carlton Alexander: In memory of Leone S. Alexander
Mary-Alice Arre
Dennis Ash & Sarah Lashlee
Charles & Stephanie Baer
David & Ann Bottomy
Mary W. Brady
David Castel: In honor of Liz Glatstein
Patricia Cheffins
Sarah Cifani
Meg & Bill Clontz
Amber & Brian Cook
Stephen Frost
Mary M. Garnett: In honor of Jennifer Garnett
Mr. Michael J. Grillot
George & Rachel Hahn
Hanne Skov Hansen: In honor of Ilona Harabin
Victor Harabin
Ruth S.Johnson: In memory of Adam C. Bewernitz
Cynthia Keever
Renée & Roger Lampila
Becky LedBetter
Dan Leich:In memory of Fred Riggs
David Lehlbach & Heather Miracle
Frederick & Martha Lehlbach
Karen Matluck, MD
Kieta Osteen-Cochrane: In memory of Jeanette Lee Culp
Cameron Peck
Jack & Susan Pierce
Stephen & Esther M. Robinson
Joanne & Philip Roudebush
Natalie Sadler
Fezeka Saige
Janet Schlaufman
Suzanne & Norman Schneiderman
Florence Sharp
David Slobodin & Jane Fant
Ken & Joyce Stoppelbein
Donley & Susan Studlar
Gary & Rosalyn Wasserman
Courtland White
Bob & Mary Williamson
Carolyn & Hamish Ziegler
ASSOCIATES
($50+)
Good Measure Business Accounting
Anonymous
Judith Albertson and David Bird
Gerald Ashby
Richard C. Becker
Leo Bjorlie
Kimberly Bramley: In honor of Bill O’Connell
Idelle Davids
Joanne Edelman
Tom & Jan Fife
Judy Figura
Deborah H. Francis
Charlie & Tricia Franck
Miriam L. Freeman: In memory of Larry L. Hamilton
Jennifer Garnett
Jean P. Haggar
Norma H. Hanson
Nancy D. Herman: In memory of Tom Trout
Marcia Jones
Heather G. Krueger, MD
Justin Landry
Mary Jo LaPorte
Bobbi Laratta
Joanne Lazar
Nancy Levine-Schatz
Louis Lieb
Bradford Malbon
Jeanne Marsh
Ethel & Garry Mayer
Cathy McEvoy
Anne McKenzie
Steven Meyerson
Nancy Purvis: In honor of Molly Horner
Blane E. Ramey
Barbara C. Reynolds
Eric & Patricia Sands
Nancy Schatz
Megan Schuldt
Sarah Ann Smith
Janet Spletzer
Sanford Stoddard
Steven & Sara Storck
Michelle Summey
Mary K. Thomas
Terri & Grant Todd
Laura Williamson
Tyrus Wilson
CONTRIBUTORS ($1+)
Anonymous
Barbara Bewernitz
Alan & Trish Johnson
Helen Johnson
Steve & Carolyn Kayne: In honor of Jeremy Samsky
Mark D. White
Volunteers are our 'Best Friends'!
Volunteers are the heroes of our patron experiences. The BRO appreciates their professionalism, adaptabiliity, and smiling faces…
BEST FRIENDS (VOLUNTEERS)
Carlton Alexander
Brett Anderson
Margaret Ayers
Rienette Davis
Sally Dimuzio
Shirley Duehring
Lisa Gaetano
Randee Goodstadt
Francee Healy
Richard Healy
Debra Henderson
Mack Johnston
Laura Rice
Frank Roberts
Patricia Sands
Gloria Ray Scheberle
Janet Schlaufman
John Siebenthaler
Deb Kenney
Kaitlyn Kerr
Kris Kramer
Richard LaBrie
Roger Lampila
Renée Lampila
Justin Landry
Carol Lorton
Bea Lothrop
Ruthye Lovinsohn
Victoria Mobberly
Carole Smith
Peg Snider
Gary Spaulding
Steven Storck
Michelle Summey
Robin Ross Trowbridge
Eric Turnnessen
Forest Walters
Amelia Ward
Gary Wasserman
Rosalyn Wasserman
Shirley Waterkotte
Eva Weaver
Brian Williams
Alicia Williams
The BRO Pays it Forward…
BRO raised $3,800 and supported other nonprofits in WNC because of YOUR generosity!
“What a weekend of reflection... and of course, *remembering Hurricane Helene, rebuilding and reimagining* here in the mountains. With Dynamite Roasting Company's 10-pound donation of their amazing coffee, we raffled tickets and added a share of Blue Ridge Orchestra's ticket proceeds for an amazing cause.....over $1,800 WAS RAISED FOR BELOVED ASHEVILLE.”- Post-Helene Concert, September 2025
“With the generous support of BRO Board members, local businesses, and faithful patrons like YOU, we raffled two baskets and raised $2,000 for MANNA FoodBank here in WNC!” -BRO Revels! December 2026
2025-'26 Sources of Revenue
2025-'26 Areas of Expenditures
^GAP Grant FY26:
Operational funds were provided by ArtsAVL, Buncombe County Government, and the North Carolina Arts Council, a division of the Department of Natural and Cultural Resources.
^ArtsAVL Nonprofit Arts Recovery Grant:
The ArtsAVL Nonprofit Arts Recovery Grant supported nonprofit arts organizations in Western North Carolina that experienced ongoing physical and/or economic impacts from Hurricane Helene. While immediate emergency needs have passed, many organizations continue to face recovery challenges that affect their operations, staffing, and ability to serve the public. This award in June 2026 was supported by ArtsAvl, the North Carolina Community Foundation’s Disaster Relief Fund, and Dogwood Health Trust.
Our rehearsal and concert home at UNC Asheville, Lipinsky is undergoing continued renovations. Expenses are at an all-time high for us as we seek alternative venues for a second year and face exceptionally larger, long-term expenses. With your gifts, our volunteer orchestra will ‘fill the space between the notes’ on this journey away from our physical refuge.