By the Numbers…
Celebrating 25 Years of Symphonic Excellence!
2024-2025 Season
Pictured: “Finding Home” December 2024
Photo Credit: Kathy Kmonicek
4
Programmatic Themes
Music Director
Dr. Emily Mariko Eng
Guest Conductor, Franklin Keel
Photo credit: Kathy Kmonicek
1,800+
Patrons
93
Musicians
12
Students
13
Featured Artists
31
Volunteers
VIOLIN I
Paula Akbar
Concertmaster
Susan Anderson
Noah Bijesse
Arnold Brown
Lindsey Comer
Leah Hart
Kathryn Landry
Tina Muzzi
Tamara Rohrer
Sissel Topple
VIOLIN II
Susan Anderson
Briana Allen-Slattery
Spencer Arndt
Christina Demetropoulos
Day Ann Emory
Ely Levine
Brenda Phetteplace
Holley Ross
Janet Spletzer
Abby Walker
Laura Williamson
VIOLA
Claudia Malchow
Principal
Day Ann Emory
Nick Frost
Ilona Harabin
Daniel Leich
Brynn McKay
Brenda Phetteplace
Rhona Reagen
Anele Saige
Claire Siegel
Alicia Williams
Musicians
Section musicians aside from principal designations are listed alphabetically.
VIOLONCELLO
Tinder Burris
Principal
Peggy Eckel
Joseph Falconer
Rachel Hahn
Judy Handley
Cynthia Keever
Clara Lampkin
Judy Phillips
Eric Sands
Simon Stout
CONTRABASS
BJ Sharp
Principal
Luke Baunack
Zach Bezirgan
August Meyer
John Siebenthaler
Allison Zemanek
FLUTE/PICCOLO
Bradford Malbon
Principal
Sarah Cifani
Amber Cook
Rita Hayes
OBOE
Carlton Alexander
Principal & English Horn
Jennifer McHenry
Ed Ramey
CLARINET
Justin Landry
Principal
Jennifer Garnett
Kaitlyn Kerr
Gary Spaulding
SAXOPHONE
Will Boyd
Rylan Dunn
Grace Jones
Jacob Rodriguez
Nick Stow
BASSOON
Kate Ossman
Principal
Jack Gillette
HORN
Elizabeth Richard
Principal
Marcia Jones
David Lehlbach
Amelia Ward
Mary Williamson
TRUMPET
Casey Coppenbarger
Principal
Aiden Doss
Alex Holguin
Gabe Holguin
Kevin Paul
Will Rhodarmer
TROMBONE
Rienette Davis
Principal
J.P. Carney
Mathias Farley
Andrew Johnson
Charles Johnson
TUBA
Mark Bower
Mason Goldbaum
TIMPANI
Michelle Summey
PERCUSSION
Mario Gaetano
Principal
Luccia Marguglio
Peyton Parrish
Alex Richmond
Sage Sabo
Justin Watt
HARP
Tori Parrish
PIANO
William Bares
Ivan Seng
WNC endured the unimaginable.
Since Hurricane Helene ripped through our beloved home in September 2024, patrons like you have relied on this artform to
‘Find Home’, reflect, and press onward…
FROM OUR AUDIENCE:
“Yesterday's Mason was so powerful; several audience members commented that hearing the Mason paralleled their experience of the storm, especially with "Struggle" and "Emergence," and we found it very emotional and cathartic!”
-Finding Home, December 2024
What a special place is the BRO!
-Finding Home, December 2024
“All I could say to the first musician I spoke with after Friday’s performance was… ‘JUST… WOW!’”
-Finale, May 2025
This weekend’s 25th Anniversary Season Finale concerts were a musical feast for the soul!
“A Tour de Force”-Finale, May 2025
*looking as if she had an epiphany, grabbing my arm* “AMAZING, JUST AMAZING.”
-Finale, May 2025
*literally eyes wide with delight….* (That’s all they needed to “say”…..)
-Finale, May 2025
This was a tribute to the 25 years of the BRO we will always remember with pride.
-Finale, May 2025
Business Friends 2024-’25
BUSINESSES
Platinum ($2,500+)
Arts Avl
Buncombe County
North Carolina Arts Council
Ingles Markets
Mosaic Community Lifestyle Realty
Souther Williams Vineyard
Gold ($1000+)
Givens Communities
Kathy Kmonicek Photography
The Organic Mechanic
Silver ($500+)
HomeTrust Bank
Lexington Glassworks
Bronze ($250+)
Asheville Elevated Photograpy
Asheville Pediatric Associates, P.A.
Brock Builders
Colton Mattress Factory
Gillespie Dental Associates
Manicomio Pizza & Food
The Palmer Company
White Labs Brewing Co.
Friends of the Blue Ridge Orchestra
INDIVIDUALS
SUSTAINERS ($2500+)
The Gail Jolley Cadenza Fund
Francee & Richard Healy
Keith Keener
Gary Spaulding & Deb Kenney
BENEFACTORS ($1000+)
Gary Anderson
Teresa A. Fralix, MD, PhD
Ruth Hall
Mack and Melanie Johnston
Gail Gregg Jolley
Ann & Jerry McLellan
Anna & Jules Nagy
Kay Rouse
Craig T. Smith
Melon Wedick & Jonathan Stockdale
Gary Ticknor & Linda Lutz
PATRONS ($500+)
Paul Alexander: In honor of Carlton Alexander, Oboe
Beverly Briedis: In honor of Ruth Hall
Arnold & Marguerite S. Brown
David & Cathy Brown: In honor of Jennie Brunner
Randolph & Martha Carson
Tara Conway
Sarah Van Gunten
Sharon Jessup & Sharman Johnson
Lori McLeese
Rhona Reagen
Kirsten Sikkelee & Paul Walker: In honor of Abigail Walker
Major General William Waff
SUPPORTERS ($250+)
Nancy Bourne & Terry Agner
William A. Carpenter & Terri Q. Carpenter
Gene and Lee Casey
David Castel: In honor of Liz Glatstein
Alberto Colonia & George Hunker
Rich & Holly D'Amour
Deborah K. Delano- In honor of Gary Spaulding & Deb Kenney
Day Ann & Bruce Emory
Martha Fugate
Elizabeth & Andy Glatstein
Scott & Elizabeth Malbon
Charlie & Shirley Mitchell
Victoria E. Mobberly: In honor of Franklin Keel
Brenda Phetteplace
Ruth Planey & Stephen Boyer: In honor of Craig Smith
Richard & Sandra Purdy
Tamara & Mark Rohrer
BJ Sharp
Stephen Snap
Beau & Wendy Ward
BACKERS ($100+)
Paula Akbar
Anonymous
Carlton Alexander: In memory of Leone S. Alexander
Dennis Ash & Sarah Lashlee
Charles & Stephanie Baer
Richard C. Becker
David & Ann Bottomy
Mary Brady
Janice Brown & David Goldsmith
Tinder Burris
Mr. & Mrs. Dudley Cate
Sarah Cifani
Bill & Meg Clontz
Amber & Brian Cook
Christopher Demetropoulos: In honor of Christina Demetropoulos
Mr. Warren Edwards
Stephen Frost
Marian & Thomas Jerdee
Charles Johnson & Leslie Bennis
Cynthia Keever
Heather G. Krueger, MD
Renée & Roger Lampila
Dan Leich: In memory of Fred Riggs
David Lehlbach & Heather Miracle
Carol Marin
Frederick & Martha Lehlbach
Millie Massey
Karen Matluck, MD
Kieta Osteen-Cochrane: In memory of Jeanette Lee Culp
Cameron Peck
James F. & Dee Dee Perkins: In honor of Milton Crotts
Jack & Susan Pierce
Joanne & Philip Roudebush
Fezeka Saige
William Scarborough
Janet Schlaufman
Suzanne & Norman Schneiderman
Florence Sharp
David Slobodin & Jane Fant
Sanford Stoddard
Ken & Joyce Stoppelbein
Donley & Susan Studlar
Sissel Topple: In honor of Milt Crotts
The Wasserman Family
James Weikart
Courtland White
Bob & Mary Williamson
Carolyn & Hamish Ziegler
ASSOCIATES
($50+)
Anonymous
Peggy & Kurt Eckel
Tyler Evans
Tom & Jan Fife
Charlie & Tricia Franck
Mary M. Garnett: In honor of Jennifer Garnett
Victor & Angelika Harabin
Madeline Jones & Mac Crosswell
Marcia Jones
Justin Landry
Mary Jo LaPorte
Sharman Johnson
Bobbi Laratta
Joanne Lazar
Louis Lieb
Bradford Malbon
Jeanne Marsh
Ethel & Garry Mayer
Margaret McAlister
Cathy McEvoy
Sylvia Nissley
John Perry
Billie Ann Prosser
Nancy Purvis: In honor of Molly Horner
Blane E. Ramey
Eric & Patricia Sands
Nancy Schatz
The Hon. Roger Dean Sharpe
Sarah Ann Smith
Janet Spletzer
Michelle Summey
Craig Thomas
Mary Thomas
Terri & Grant Todd
Thomas Tookey
Laura Williamson
Tyrus Wilson
CONTRIBUTORS ($1+)
Barbara Bewernitz
Kenzie Alexander & Dillon Hopper
Judy Figura
Ann F. Kieffer: In honor of Franklin Keel
Betty Fox
Rita Lenderman
Mike & Joan Wilson
IN MEMORIAM-
BRO Friends
Paula Bannasch: In memory of Gail Jolley
Sharon Carpenter: In memory of Brynn Heyes
Judith Domer: In memory of Gail Jolley
Peggy & Kurt Eckel: In memory of Brynn Heyes
Betty Fox: In memory of Gail Jolley
Miriam L. Freeman: In memory of Larry L. Hamilton
Laura S. Gaskin: In memory of Gail Jolley
Robert Gregg: In memory of Gail G. Jolley
Steven Grekowicz: In memory of Gail Jolley
George & Rachel Hahn: In memory of Brynn Heyes
John & Janet Long: In memory of Gail Jolley
Georgette Love: In memory of Gail Jolley
Kim Masnick: In memory of Gail Jolley
Jessica C. May: In memory of Gail Jolley
Gail C Rampersaud: In memory of Gail Jolley
Vicki Richards: In memory of Gail Jolley
Mr. & Mrs. Larry B. Soergel: In memory of Brynn Heyes
Gary Spaulding & Deb Kenney: In memory of Brynn Heyes
Gary Spaulding & Deb Kenney: In memory of Gail Jolley
Miriam L. Freeman: In memory of Larry L. Hamilton
Laura S. Gaskin: In memory of Gail Jolley
Robert Gregg: In memory of Gail G. Jolley
Steven Grekowicz: In memory of Gail Jolley
George & Rachel Hahn: In memory of Brynn Heyes
John & Janet Long: In memory of Gail Jolley
Georgette Love: In memory of Gail Jolley
Kim Masnick: In memory of Gail Jolley
Jessica C. May: In memory of Gail Jolley
Gail C Rampersaud: In memory of Gail Jolley
Vicki Richards: In memory of Gail Jolley
Mr. & Mrs. Larry B. Soergel: In memory of Brynn Heyes
Gary Spaulding & Deb Kenney: In memory of Brynn Heyes
Gary Spaulding & Deb Kenney: In memory of Gail Jolley
Volunteers are our 'Best Friends'!
Volunteers are the strong foundation we rely on to ensure all patrons feel seen and heard upon entering the performance hall. The BRO appreciates their professionalism, kind hearts, and smiling faces…
Brett Anderson
Lisa Gaetano
Randee Goodstadt
Francee Healy
Debra Henderson
Mack Johnston
Deb Kenney
Kaitlyn Kerr
Kris Kramer
Richard LaBrie
Roger Lampila
Renee Lampila
Bea Lothrop
Ruthye Lovinsohn
Victoria Mobberly
Laura Rice
Frank Roberts
Robin Ross
Patricia Sands
Janet Schlaufman and Sherrie
Carole Smith
Peg Snider
Gary Spaulding
Steven Storck
Michelle Summey
Eric Turnnessen
Forest Walters
Amelia Ward
Shirley Waterkotte
Eva Weaver
2024-'25 Sources of Revenue
2024-'25 Areas of Expenditures
Grassroots Arts Program Grant
GAP Grant FY25:
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.
Hurricane Helene Recovery Grant
North Carolina Arts Council - Hurricane Helene Relief Grants for Organizations in Western North Carolina FY25:
Operational funds were provided by the North Carolina Arts Council, a division of the Department of Natural and Cultural Resources.
Since 1999, we have overcome so many obstacles, only made possible by your support. Your faith in our mission has quelled doubts stirred by economic recessions, pandemics, and natural disasters. Our rehearsal and concert home at UNC Asheville, Lipinsky is undergoing a scheduled 2-year renovation. This circumstance poses yet another challenge for us as we seek alternate venues and face exceptionally larger, long-term expenses.
With your pledges and renewals, our volunteer orchestra will plant new seeds on this journey.