Administration & Staff

Kelly Ruggirello has led the Long Beach Symphony since March 2013. During her tenure, the Long Beach Symphony has enjoyed tremendous growth and financial stability. Located in one of the most diverse communities in the nation, including the nation’s largest Cambodian population, under Kelly’s leadership the Symphony launched new, artistic collaborations celebrating the varied musical artistry throughout the region. With the hiring of Music Director Eckart Preu, now in his 7th season, Southern Californians enjoy a Classical series at the 3,000-seat Terrace Theater and a Pops series at the 5,000-seat Long Beach Arena. A former music educator, Kelly launched a new Family Concert series which augments the Symphony’s robust commitment to music education, including busing 12,000 students annually for concerts at the Terrace Theater and a popular school ensemble concert series, serving a total of 70,000 community members annually.

In recognition of her transformative work, the Symphony won the inaugural Social Impact Award in 2022 given by the Association of California Symphony Orchestras, Long Beach Chamber of Commerce Award for Outstanding Non-profit in 2015 and Ms. Ruggirello won Mayor Garcia’s Go Long Beach Award in 2016, the award for outstanding arts management by the Arts Council for Long Beach and the NAACP Founders Award, both in 2017. In June of 2018, Ms. Ruggirello won the 40 Inspiring Leaders Award by the Nonprofit Center of Southern California. Dedicated to a thriving cultural landscape for all arts organizations in the region, Ms. Ruggirello was appointed by former Mayor Robert Garcia to the Queen Mary Land Development Task Force commission resulting in the City Council approval of a 10,000-seat, world-class amphitheater, aka “The Summer Home of the Long Beach Symphony” on Queen Mary Island.

Formerly the President & CEO of the nationally-renowned Pacific Chorale in Orange County, during her nine-year tenure she achieved an 86% increase in contributed revenue and a 50% increase in ticket revenue. Under her leadership, the Chorale relocated to the world-class Renée & Henry Segerstrom Concert Hall, produced seven recordings, commissioned nine world premieres, won the highly coveted ASCAP Award for Adventurous Programming, and operated with a balanced budget for seven consecutive years. During her tenure, Ms. Ruggirello was nominated for the 2013 Women in Business Award by the Orange County Business Journal.

Previously serving as Vice President of Development, Marketing and Public Relations of the Orange County School of the Arts, Ms. Ruggirello raised over $39 million during her tenure, including a $25 million capital campaign. A former teacher and arts mentor for Downey USD where she won Teacher of the Year for two consecutive years, she also has held positions with the Los Angeles Philharmonic and Pacific Symphony. She holds a Bachelor’s degree and a Master’s degree, both from the University of California at Los Angeles.

Dedicated to strengthening orchestras and arts managers, Ms. Ruggirello served as President of the Board of Directors of the Association of California Symphony Orchestras and was a faculty member for the national service organizations, Chorus America and the League of American Orchestras. Having raised over $80 million during her career, she actively consults with local and national orchestras and choruses and serves as a presenter at state and national conferences. Committed to community service, Ms. Ruggirello is a Rotarian and elected to serve as President #109 in 2025/2026. She has been a proud Long Beach resident for over 37 years with her two children.

Samuel (Sammy) Balimbin brings over 20 years of extensive and diverse experience in financial reporting, analysis, forecasting, budgeting, cash management, auditing, internal controls, and tax for non-profit, public, and privately owned companies. He began his career in entertainment in a variety of roles, culminating in Head of Finance and Corporate Controller at Digital Domain, an Academy Award winning digital production studio. After his tenure in entertainment, he joined the J. Paul Getty Trust where he transitioned his career to align with his passion for non-profit. He earned a Bachelor’s of Science degree in Applied Science-Mathematics/Economics from the University of California, Los Angeles.

Sammy holds a lifelong love of classical music, in large part due to the Long Beach Symphony. As a fifth grader, he received his first experience of a professional orchestra through the Long Beach Symphony’s Youth Concerts program. A Long Beach resident of over 30 years, Samuel is an avid fly-fisherman, amateur photographer, and musician.

Issy Farris has served as Vice President of Operations & Music Education at Long Beach Symphony since 2017. She served as the Director of Special Events & Education in 2016. Issy started her tenure with the organization as the Manager of Operations & Education in 2014. Each season she produces each of the Symphony’s Classical, Pops, and Education concerts. She also oversees LBSA’s extensive music education programs reaching over 27,000 students each year. Farris implemented the Symphony’s Educators Advisory Council with LBUSD to work with teachers to create music integrated core curriculum lesson plans accessible online. She also started the Symphony’s internship program in partnership with Cal State Long Beach Bob Cole Conservatory.

Issy served on the Long Beach Music Council where she was a founding member of Make Music Long Beach, part of the international celebration of music. She has been a member of the Association of California Symphony Orchestras since 2006, serving in a variety of roles including session speaker, peer forum leader and as conference host.

Issy grew up on the Central Coast in San Luis Obispo where she started her career within Arts Administration at the San Luis Obispo Symphony in 2005. By the age of 21 she climbed the ranks to Director of Operations for the San Luis Obispo Symphony and Youth Symphony. During her 9-year tenure at SLOS she started a successful internship program with Cal Poly State University Music Department. She produced a recording of Glosas commissioned from Grammy Award Winning Composer Craig Russel and performed by famed Spanish Guitarist Jose Maria Gallardo Del Rey. She managed youth symphony tours to Vancouver B.C., Chicago, Copley Hall in San Diego, and Walt Disney Concert Hall in Los Angeles. She also launched a high school music camp called the Summer String Workshop at Camp Ocean Pines in Cambria, CA.

Her background in choral music inspired her love for the performing arts and arts education. When not producing concerts and putting instruments in the hands of cute little kids she enjoys being outdoors with her husband and two big dogs, or anything to do with the ocean, especially fishing and diving.

John Cross oversees all Long Beach Symphony fundraising initiatives including individual, corporate, and foundational giving as well as benefit events such as our annual gala, Crescendo, the December Symphony Golf Classic. Working closely with the Board of Directors and Symphony leadership, John's focus is on building strong relationships throughout our community. John joined the Symphony staff in July, 2018.

John brings a wide variety of experience to the Long Beach Symphony. He began his career as Athletics Ticket Manager at Western Michigan University, then spent nearly 20 years in ticketing and fundraising software sales at Irvine-based, Paciolan. With a focus on selling solutions to college and university performing arts and athletics departments as well as other independent performing arts organizations, John also played an integral role in the expansion and implementation of Paciolan software into markets as far away as Asia - helping to open the Singapore Sports Hub, a multi-venue sports complex. In 2016 John got his first taste in working for a non-profit with Great Minds in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math), overseeing business development for MentorNet, an online mentoring service aimed at supporting first-generation and under-represented students pursuing a STEM college degree.

John grew up in Fairborn, Ohio and received both a Bachelor of Science and Master's degree from The Ohio State University. He has resided in Long Beach for most of the last 30+ years and loves great music, sports, travel and all that Long Beach life offers.

Florita Davis is the woman to speak with when you want tickets for Classical or POPS! concerts. She personifies the Symphony's "welcoming spirit." Florita says: "I'm fun-loving, strong and, at times, a force to be reckoned with! My nickname around here is Flojo because I'll go the extra mile for our patrons. I love to fish, eat and hang out with my family and friends. If you ever need me, just holler, "Hey, Flojo!" Florita crossed the incredible milestone of 30 years with the Long Beach Symphony this season!

Mark is a native of Los Angeles and has a background in marketing, design, and business development, receiving his Bachelor’s degree in Industrial Design with a focus on communication design and advertising. He comes from a music-centric family with roots in the LA jazz and big band culture.

Over the past 15 years Mark has worked with businesses large and small in their development efforts and creative campaigns designed to bring awareness to great causes in the form of concerts, charity galas and special fundraising events. His goal is to share awareness of the impressive history of the Long Beach Symphony and its incredible sound to more people than ever before – both locally and beyond.

Recreationally, Mark enjoys playing guitar, creative writing, and playing golf at any of Southern California’s beautiful courses. And naturally, attending Symphony concerts at the Long Beach Terrace Theater.

Matthew Peskanov has been a resident of Southern California for quite some time but was born and raised in New York. He grew up in a musical household and studied trumpet performance at SUNY Purchase as well as the Mannes School of Music.

Matthew then decided to serve as Active Duty in the United States Marine Corps. He served as a Marine Musician, operations coordinator, as well as the director of the MCRD San Diego Brass Quintet, which allowed him to tour the country, sharing his love for music.

Now Matthew turns his attention to the Long Beach Symphony Association. He aims to bring his passion for the city of Long Beach and its Symphony each day. When he’s off the clock, Matthew enjoys practicing his instrument, working with his trumpet students, and resides in Long Beach with his wife, Kirsten.

Liya Klingenberg has been a lifelong classical musical enthusiast and a cellist for over 20 years. She comes from a family of musicians and was introduced to the arts at a young age growing up in San Francisco. After moving to Montreal, Canada and then to the Los Angeles region, she completed her BA degree at Cal State University Long Beach and fell in love with the city while studying there.

Liya comes to the Long Beach Symphony as their Development Associate with a wide range of experience working with non-profits, government agencies, and operations management. She is excited to leverage these skills to help the Symphony in their mission to engage the community with top-notch performances and experiences that will make a lifelong impact for generations to come.

In her free time you’ll find Liya doing bicycle tours, studying geology, and spending time with her family.

Sue has been supporting Long Beach Symphony's Marketing and Publicity needs since 2006. In 2021, these responsibilities expanded to include strategy, branding, and marketing communications in a consulting capacity.

Starting her career with Toyota and Lexus, Sue is the owner of Crest Marketing, Inc., a marketing and communications consulting firm established in 1992 that specializes in the nonprofit sector. She has supported a vast number of organizations' marketing and development needs, including Weingart Center, Torrance Memorial Medical Center, Los Angeles Metropolitan YMCA, Torrance Education Foundation, Wayfarers Chapel, and was the Public Information Officer for Torrance Unified School District. She is a former member of the Board of Directors of the Torrance Area Chamber of Commerce and a graduate of Leadership Torrance.

Born in Torrance, Sue's youth education took place in Buenos Aires, Argentina, returning to California only to complete her last year of high school and graduating from CSULB. She is fluent in Spanish, wishes she were a better Tango dancer, and can easily be persuaded towards a good Malbec. She resides in Torrance with her husband and her dog, Luna.

Petrina Walker brings decades of vocational experience to the Symphony, having worked in banking, education, and library technology. She is delighted to work for an organization that uses music to enrich and uplift the community.

Petrina has lived in Long Beach for much of her life. When she isn't at work, she loves spending time with her family, tending her garden, and writing fiction.

Gabriela “Gabby” Dee started officially working for the Symphony in summer, 2023. However, she is no stranger to the Long Beach Symphony. She started out in her high school’s orchestra as principal cellist when she joined the Long Beach All District High School Orchestra and was introduced to the Symphony as a High School Volunteer. She climbed her way up to Interning with the Operations and Education team. After graduating from Wilson High School in 2023, Gabby began working part-time as a Finance Associate. She currently attends California State University, Long Beach as a Literature and Philosophy major.

Carrie Holzman-Little has been a busy free-lance violist here in Southern California for the past 30 years. She received a Bachelor of Arts from University of California at Santa Barbara. Carrie has been the assistant principal violist of the Pasadena Symphony for 25 years. She coaches the viola section of PYSO, Pasadena Youth Symphony Orchestra. She also coaches the viola section for VYMA, Verdugo Young Musician’s Association. Carrie has been a member of the Hollywood Bowl Orchestra since its inception. She is the Personnel Manager for the Long Beach Symphony as well as the Orchestra Santa Monica and hires musicians for churches and other small groups as well. Carrie also teaches private viola lessons and plays on soundtracks for movies and television. In her spare time, she likes to compete in triathlons. Carrie lives in a 100-year-old house in Pasadena with her cellist husband, Dane Little and a 21 year cat named Yammy.