Boards & Staff

Carolyn Bess

Executive Director, Waco Symphony Association, Inc.

You may wonder what is new and different about the 2025-26 season? We are expanding our season subscription from four to five concerts, adding a pops concert called “An Emerald City Evening,” featuring songs from Wicked, The Wiz, and other all-time Broadway favorites. In addition, we’re offering two special holiday concerts – Home Alone in Concert in partnership with the Youth Chorus of Central Texas and the Central Texas Choral Society and The Nutcracker in partnership with Ballet Frontier of Texas. Both are perfect for families looking to make holiday memories together.

The WSO is on the move in our community in impactful ways with outreach programs like Healing Harmony, funded this year by the Bernard & Audre Rapoport Foundation. Small ensembles perform at area hospitals, memory care centers, and counseling sessions, bringing joy, comfort, and inspiration to those who need it most.

Join us again for a season of stellar soloists surrounded by the accomplished musicians of the Waco Symphony Orchestra and experience the inspiring power of symphonic music!

Officers

Liz Stansbury, President
Rhett Dawson, President-elect
Valda Rispoli, Secretary
Robin Baird, Vice-President, Administration and Union Relations
Rex Davis, Vice-President, Ambassadors
Joaquin Lugo, Co-Vice-President, Artistic Advisory
James Pitts, Co-Vice-President, Artistic Advisory
Katie Kaga, Vice-President, Audience Development
Andrea Kosar, Co-Vice-President, Concerto Circle
John Prothro, Co-Vice-President, Concerto Circle
Jocelyn Williams, Vice-President, Education and Outreach
Nancy Livingston, Vice-President, Finance
Harry Harelik, President, Foundation
Stephen H. Corwin, Vice-President, Foundation
Liz Arend, Co-Vice-President, Hospitality and Stewardship
Billy Garrett, Co-Vice-President, Hospitality and Stewardship
Don Lewis, Vice-President, Logistics
Ann Harder, Vice-President, Marketing
Dianne Sawyer, Vice-President, Nominating
Mike Raymond, Vice-President, Strategic Planning
Debra Burleson, Co-Vice-President, Special Projects
Alice Starr, Co-Vice-President, Special Projects
Kim Klimt, Vice-President, Sponsorship
Endyia Sterns, President, Waco Symphony Council

Executive Committee

The Officers and the following:

Suzanne Alexander
Gary Coley

Board of Directors

The Executive Committee and the following:

Neyra Bazaldua
Cristina Cleveland
Gary Coley
Diane Deaver
Bryan Fonville
Marsha Green
Suzanne Hack
Carliss Hyde
Ryan Luna
Jason Milam
Joye Petr
Phil Reeder
Alfred Solano
Glenda Strum
Charles Stern
Paul Yanowitch

Advisory Directors

Lawrence Loh, Music Director and Conductor
Carolyn Kannwischer Bess, Executive Director, Waco Symphony Association, Inc.
Jennifer Richie, President-elect, Waco Symphony Council
Liz Arend, Past President, Waco Symphony Council
Harry Harelik, President, Waco Symphony Foundation