The Association of California Symphony Orchestras (ACSO) is pleased to announce the 2024 recipients of the Executive Leadership Award, Emerging Professional Award, Young Musician Leadership Award, and Most Valuable Player (MVP) Volunteer Awards. Awards will be presented at ACSO’s 2024 Annual Conference in San Francisco from July 25-27. Congratulations to all the worthy nominees and recipients!
ACSO’s annual awards program recognizes remarkable individuals and organizations within ACSO’s membership network for their meaningful contributions to the orchestra field.
Executive Leadership Award: Kathryn R Martin, President & CEO, Santa Barbara Symphony
Emerging Professional Award: May Stearman, Community Engagement Program Manager, San Francisco Symphony
Young Musician Leadership Award: Iris Rodriguez, Musician, San Diego Youth Symphony
MVP Volunteer Award: Sue Greenway, Immediate Past President, San Diego Youth Symphony
MVP Volunteer Award: Dr. Erin Keefe, Board Member, San Bernardino Symphony Orchestra
MVP Volunteer Award: Linda Randall, Choral Committee Member, Music in the Mountains
MVP Volunteer Award: Paul Severtson, Development Committee Chair, San Luis Obispo Symphony
Keep reading to learn more about the 2024 Award Recipients and their accomplishments.
“As an arts service organization, ACSO is in the unique position to bear witness to the impactful work of hundreds of incredible people and organizations throughout the orchestra industry. Through our awards program, we can publicly honor and recognize those whose extraordinary vision, keen leadership, determination and grit, and unshakeable connection to their communities have been particularly impactful,” said Sarah Weber, ACSO Executive Director. “We are incredibly proud of the awardees and the innovation, fearlessness, and deep sense of service they bring to their work."
Thank you to the ACSO Awards Review Task Force for their careful, sensitive, and thoughtful consideration of all nominees: Connor Bogenreif, Raphaela Campos, Alex Chu, Giuliano Kornberg, Dean McVay, Akilah Morgan, Jonathan Rios, Sarah Weber, and Donna Williams.
EXECUTIVE LEADERSHIP AWARD
The Executive Leadership Award recognizes the chief executive officer, executive director, or managing director of an ACSO member organization for extraordinary leadership in the classical music field by advancing the mission of his/her organization, creating a vision that inspires others, creating strategies to overcome challenges, and uniting a team to meet the demands of the changing world of classical music performance.
Kathryn R Martin, President & CEO, Santa Barbara Symphony
“For the Santa Barbara Symphony Kathryn Martin was the right person at the right time,” said Kim Kebler, Executive Assistant & Board Liaison, on behalf of the Santa Barbara Symphony in its nomination of Kathryn. “With a 30-year career leading and consulting nonprofit organizations during times of transition and change, Kathryn’s leadership and unique abilities are one of the key reasons our symphony survived the pandemic, is on a path to financial stability, and is at the forefront of the California symphonic world today. Through Kathryn’s leadership, we are currently bucking national trends in ticket revenue, subscription households, and revenue from individual donors. Kathryn’s leadership philosophy begins with kindness and inclusion, often admitting that we were 'building the plane while flying it.' Her extraordinary leadership and ability to navigate and pivot inspired staff, board, and musicians, who together are finding strategies to succeed at delivering on our mission and finding a path forward to bring the power and joy of music to the community.”
EMERGING PROFESSIONAL AWARD
The Emerging Professional Award recognizes the current contributions and the future potential of an individual who has been in the orchestra/classical music field for five years or less but who has already made significant contributions to their organization, irrespective of available resources or budget, and has demonstrated the potential for leadership and continuing professional growth. This individual has experienced early career success in the field, has helped elevate the mission of their organization, and thus is actively making an impact in the community. The award comes with a $500 honoraria, underwritten by ACSO Board Members Dean McVay and Jonathan Rios.
May Stearman, Community Engagement Program Manager, San Francisco Symphony
“May’s strategic, efficient approach and problem-solving skills combined with her intrinsic ability to connect with people makes her a natural leader,” said Laura Bergmann, Associate Director of Advocacy & Community Engagement at the San Francisco Symphony. “I wish I could keep track of how many people share with me how much they enjoy working with May but the list is simply too long. The respect people have for her both within and outside our organization speaks volumes. May would be an amazing partner at any organization and we are extremely fortunate to call her a colleague at the San Francisco Symphony. "
Click here to read the official press release.
YOUNG MUSICIAN LEADERSHIP AWARD
ACSO’s Young Musician Leadership Award goes to a middle school, high school, or college student who plays an instrument in a music ensemble and shows remarkable potential to become a future leader in the performing arts field. This award recognizes a young musician who has gone above and beyond in service to their orchestra, school, peer group, or community. This award comes with a mentorship opportunity and a $250 honorarium, underwritten by ACSO Board Members Dean McVay and Jonathan Rios.
Iris Rodriguez, Musician, San Diego Youth Symphony
“Iris is a member of the SDYS Youth Leadership Council and has played an active role in the mentorship of our younger ensembles, community building among students in our program, and service beyond our walls,” said Sameer Patel, Artistic Director of the San Diego Youth Symphony. “She leaps at any opportunity to create a better musical ecosystem, whether through participation in her school program, performing and conducting with community ensembles, and helping young people develop their musical skills. She shows up weekly with a desire to serve and make music with everyone and has been a wonderful example for our younger students."
Click here to read the official press release.
MOST VALUABLE PLAYER (MVP) VOLUNTEER AWARD
ACSO launched the MVP Volunteer Award in 1996 to recognize exemplary volunteers, volunteer projects, and volunteer organizations and to thank a few of the hundreds of dedicated, hardworking, and committed volunteers that orchestras and music organizations depend on every day.
Sue Greenway, Immediate Past President, San Diego Youth Symphony
“Sue’s tireless work at the Board level and on committees has had a significant impact on the culture of the Board and the culture of this organization, said Michael Remson, President & CEO of San Diego Youth Symphony. "Her work has had a direct impact on families that will be felt for a generation or longer. Our equitable approach to tuition assistance and value-based scholarships, now available to any student (not just the most advanced), has significantly broadened how we as an organization define 'access' and redefined how we more authentically live our values as an organization through our work with students, families, and communities.”
Click here to read the official press release.
Dr. Erin Keefe, Board Member, San Bernardino Symphony Orchestra
“Dr. Erin Keefe is the Board Member every orchestra wants. As Chief Nursing Executive Officer at St. Bernardine Medical Center in San Bernardino, she is incredibly busy, yet she rarely misses a Board meeting, is always a Concert Greeter, volunteered for two days at last years’ ACSO Conference, and is amongst the first to raise her hand whenever help is needed,” said Anne Viricel, Executive Director of the San Bernardino Symphony Orchestra. “Erin brings a great deal of value to positively impact the San Bernardino Symphony Board of Directors. She is a highly respected member of the community dedicated to positive social change, and bringing a unique combination of kindness, humility, and brilliance that inspires others to want to do likewise.”
Click here to read the official press release.
Linda Randall, Choral Committee Member, Music in the Mountains
“Linda’s attention to detail and flawless organization of systems has streamlined staff efforts in the office in ways that cannot be overlooked,” said Hillary Hodge, Volunteer Coordinator at Music in the Mountains. “Because of her constant regard to MIM’s database, we have been able to accurately track the choir’s semester fees and communicate with the choir more efficiently. Additionally, Linda regularly manages the Music in the Mountains master database to review the information for duplicates, incorrect formatting, wrong spelling, etc. Her efforts have resulted in the lowest rate of returned mail the organization has ever experienced. These types of volunteer roles are often overlooked because they may seem boring or far-off from the mission of making music, but the impact of freeing up staff time and helping our organization to run more efficiently cannot be overstated.”
Click here to read the official press release.
Paul Severtson, Development Committee Chair, San Luis Obispo Symphony
“Paul Severtson is an invaluable volunteer for the San Luis Obispo Symphony. He gives his time, experience in nonprofit fundraising, and knowledge of the community, generously,” said Rachel Sabalboro, Executive Director of the San Luis Obispo Symphony. “By nature, Paul is a volunteer. He steps up when he sees a need and is greatly appreciated for his quiet patience and ability to listen. Through the years, he has served on various committees, including development and the search for a new music director. Paul has had a major musical impact on the orchestra, and community, with his visible presence in the orchestra for 30 years. He is beloved.”
