Mission:
To ensure the continued existence of major symphony orchestras in North America through volunteerism.
2019 CONFERENCE SPEAKERS
Friday, April 26, 2019
"CEOs and Volunteers - A Dynamic Discussion"
Lee Cullum is a journalist who currently hosts CEO, a series of interviews with leaders from the world of business, produced by the PBS station in Dallas-Fort Worth. She also contributes columns to the Dallas Morning News and commentaries to the National Public Radio station in North Texas.
Cullum has done regular commentary for the PBS News Hour and National Public Radio’s All Things Considered. She was editor of the editorial page of the Dallas Times Herald and edited D Magazine, which during her tenure was a finalist for a National Magazine Award.
In addition, Cullum has done political analysis for the CBS affiliate in north Texas. She has hosted Conversations, a series of biographical interviews with major newsmakers for the PBS station in that area. She has appeared on Nightline, CNN, and MSNBC and on various television programs in Europe. She also has conducted seminars on journalism in Central and Eastern Europe and moderated panels for the World Economic Forum in Davos. She has spoken to press associations in Texas, Minnesota and New England; to committees on foreign relations in Houston, San Francisco, Phoenix, Dallas and Tulsa; and to the International Women’s Forum in Dallas as well as organizations in Berlin and Dublin.
Panel Moderator
CEO Panel
KimNoltemy
Dallas Symphony Association Board of Governors Chairman Sanjiv Yajnik announced the appointment of Kim Noltemy to the position of President & CEO of the Dallas Symphony Association, effective January 22, 2018. She is the first woman to hold both positions.
Noltemy had been the Chief Operating and Communications Officer for the Boston Symphony Orchestra, the Boston Pops and Tanglewood since 2015 where she managed a 65-person team. She started her tenure at the BSO in 1996 as the Director of Sales and Marketing and was promoted to Chief Marketing Officer in 2007.
Noltemy was the strategist behind the BSO's new media efforts including the orchestra's digital download service, Internet TV, podcasts and the BSO's website, which is the most visited website of any orchestra in the U.S. She has executive produced numerous television shows including two seasons of New Tanglewood Tales, distributed by American Public Media, and three Boston Pops television programs, two of which received New England Emmy Awards.
Michelle Miller Burns
The Minnesota Orchestra announced that Michelle Miller Burns will replace retiring President and CEO Kevin Smith on September 1st. The transition between Smith and Burns will begin in August when Burns will accompany the orchestra on a tour to South Africa.
Michelle Burns is currently Chief Operating Officer and Executive Vice President for institutional advancement at the Dallas Symphony Orchestra. She previously served as interim CEO there and held senior fundraising positions with the Newberry Library and the Chicago Symphony Orchestra.
Ms. Burns was born in Iowa and grew up mostly in the Chicago area, playing violin in the Chicago Youth Symphony Orchestra. She earned a bachelor's degree in arts administration from Northwestern University while she studied violin performance with members of the Chicago Symphony. She completed the Chicago Management Institute program at the University of Chicago Booth School of Business and a management fellowship with the League of American Orchestras before starting her 15-year career with the Chicago Symphony.
Jonathan Martin
The Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra (CSO)appointed Jonathan Martin as President of the CSO in September, 2018. Mr. Martin has served as President & CEO of the Dallas Symphony Orchestra since 2012.
Mr. Martin succeeds Trey Devey, who led the CSO for eight years before assuming the presidency of the Interlochen Center for the Arts in Michigan. Prior to leading the Dallas Symphony, Mr. Martin served for nine years as the General Manager of the Cleveland Orchestra.
A native of Atlanta, Mr. Martin holds a Bachelor of Music degree from Georgia State University and began his career at the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra, where he served in five different positions over 14 years.
He is past Chair of the League of American Orchestras' Executive Directors for Group II orchestras, and currently serves on the committee representing 75 American orchestras negotiating with the national musicians' union on terms governing electronic media activity.
"Music Outreach"
Jamie Allen has over 30 years of experience as a composer, conductor, performer, and music educator. As Education Director for the DSO, Allen helps the orchestra to reach over 60,000 children and adults each year with award winning educational programs, including Youth & Family Concerts, an innovative string instruction program for underrepresented students, in-school & community programs, pre-concert lectures, open rehearsals, web sites, a Teen Council, master classes and more.
He earned a bachelor's degree in music from the University of Chicago, and a master's degree in composition from the University of Texas at Austin. Allen has served on the faculty of both the College of Santa Fe and Collin College. He has also been a frequent presenter, educational consultant, and conductor for many arts organizations, including The Santa Fe Opera, The Desert Chorale, Santa Fe New Music, The Santa Fe Chamber Music Festival, The Dallas Opera, Booker T. Washington High School for the Performing and Visual Arts, the Texas Commission on the Arts, the New Mexico Arts Commission, and The Dallas Symphony Orchestra.
"Leading From the Frontal Love: The Neuroscience of Leadership"
Dee O'Neill leads Corporate and Executive Solutions for the Brain Performance Institute (BPI) at the Center for BrainHealth®, under the umbrella of The University of Texas at Dallas. Prior to joining BPI, she worked in the field of Neuroscience for more than 15 years at nationally recognized research and medical centers.
Dee is a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) in Texas, she graduated from Chaminade University of Honolulu with a Master of Science degree in psychology. Her undergraduate study was in human health and exercise science at the University of Hawaii. Dee is a board certified fellow in EEG Neurotechnology by the Biofeedback Certification International Alliance and a HeartMath Certified Trainer. Dee has completed advanced training in Evidence-Based Coaching as well as Foundations of NeuroLeadership.
Roundtable Discussion: "Volunteers and Administrative Collaboration"
James Leffler joined the Dallas Symphony Orchestra in January 2016 and currently serves as the Vice President of Development. He has broad experience in non-profit development, having worked in a variety of areas including youth services, higher education, healthcare and the performing arts. Additionally, James was a partner in a consulting firm that provided fundraising and digital solutions for community colleges. Leffler holds a Bachelor of Music Degree in Music Performance from Columbus State University and a Master of Music in Instrumental Performance from Oklahoma City University.
Saturday, May 6, 2017
"Development in the 21st Century
Richie Butler is the senior managing director of the Prescott Realty Group and the senior pastor of St. Paul United Methodist Church. Previously, he was senior vice president of CityView, a managing partner of Solomon Partners and a bank officer with Bank of America. In addition, he was the deputy political director for U.S. Sen. John Kerry of Massachusetts.
Richie was also the founding senior pastor of Union Cathedral. In 2014, he successfully merged Union Cathedral, an independent interdenominational church, with the historic St. Paul United Methodist Church in downtown Dallas, where he serves as the senior pastor of the combined congregation.
He has extensive real estate development, finance and institutional fund management experience. He has invested and developed more than $500 million of urban real estate activity across the U.S.
Richie holds two bachelor’s degrees from Southern Methodist University and a master’s in theology from Harvard University; he’s also done extended studies in Urban Planning at MIT. He was the recipient of a Ford Foundation Fellowship to study art history and political science in Europe.
Richie’s current civic involvements include Trustee for Communities Foundation of Texas, Children’s Medical Center of Dallas board, Southern Methodist University board of trustees, member of the Pension Real Estate Association, the Dallas Assembly, the Real Estate Executive Council and the Urban Land Institute, and the advisory board of the Center of Metropolitan Density at UTA.
He was recognized by D CEO as one of the “17 Stars of Tomorrow in Commercial Real Estate” in Dallas and received the SMU Distinguished Alumni Emerging Leader Award in 2008.
"Dynamic Fundraising"
Brent Christopher president of Children’s Medical Center Foundation, Brent Christopher leads the team focused on fundraising in support of Children’s Health and its components: Children’s Medical Center Dallas and Plano, eight specialty centers, multiple Children’s Health Pediatric Group primary care practices, Our Children’s House specialty hospital and rehabilitation facilities, home health, physician services and the Children’s Medical Center Research Institute at UT Southwestern.
Brent joined Children’s Health in July 2016 after 11 years of service as president and chief executive officer of Communities Foundation of Texas, one of the largest community foundations in the country. He guided the foundation through unprecedented growth of its impact for good in the lives of people across the North Texas region and beyond, with its base of assets increasing from $647 million to $1.1 billion. In 2009, he led the creation of North Texas Giving Day, the nation’s largest single day of community-wide giving which has helped to encourage the growth of online giving days across the U.S.
Sunday, May 7, 2017
Innovative Award Announcments/Presentations
"A Melodious Chronicle"
Writing a history of your Volunteer Group.
The Foothill Philharmonic Committee
"Behind-the-Scenes" at "Downtown Abby"
An informational and historical video of the upstairs and downstairs of the 48th Symphony Designers' Showhouse as well as the area and era.
Kansas City Symphony Alliance
"Morning with the TSO"
An Education Community Outreach program offered through collaboration of the TSO and TSVC.
Toronto Symphony Volunteer Committee
Roundtable Discussion: "Volunteers and Administrative Collaboration"
James Leffler joined the Dallas Symphony Orchestra in January 2016 and currently serves as the Vice President of Development. He has broad experience in non-profit development, having worked in a variety of areas including youth services, higher education, healthcare and the performing arts. Additionally, James was a partner in a consulting firm that provided fundraising and digital solutions for community colleges. Leffler holds a Bachelor of Music Degree in Music Performance from Columbus State University and a Master of Music in Instrumental Performance from Oklahoma City University.