Administration & Staff

Since 2013, Kelly Ruggirello has served as President of the Long Beach Symphony, guiding the 91-year-old institution into a new era of growth, innovation, and community relevance. Under her leadership, the Symphony now serves more than 70,000 audience members annually and has reached nearly one million children throughout its history. In one of the most diverse cities in the nation, Kelly has intentionally expanded artistic collaborations that celebrate the rich cultural tapestry of the region, earning numerous local and statewide honors for excellence and innovation.

A former music educator, Kelly is deeply committed to access and arts education. She launched the Symphony’s Family Concert Series, further strengthening its award-winning music education programs that serve students across Southern California. Her work ensures that children of all backgrounds experience the transformative power of live music—often for the very first time.

Beyond the concert hall, Kelly has demonstrated visionary civic leadership. In her voluntary role on the Queen Mary Land Development Task Force, she championed and helped secure approval for an 11,000-seat, world-class amphitheater on Queen Mary Island—designated as the future “Summer Home of the Long Beach Symphony,” set to open in 2026. This milestone project represents a generational investment in arts, tourism, and economic vitality for the region.

Kelly’s transformative leadership has been widely recognized. Most recently, Kelly was honored with the Women’s Leadership Award 2026 by the Long Beach Chapter of United Nations Association and Global Peach Foundation. In 2025, she received the Executive Leadership Award from the Association of California Symphony Orchestras (ACSO). The same year, the Symphony was named California Nonprofit of the Year by Senator Lena Gonzalez. Kelly was also the inaugural recipient of ACSO’s Social Impact Award in 2022. Additional honors include the Long Beach Chamber of Commerce Award for Outstanding Nonprofit (2015), Mayor Garcia’s Go Long Beach Award (2016), the Arts Council for Long Beach Award for Outstanding Arts Management (2017), the NAACP Founders Award (2017), and, in 208, Kelly received the 40 Inspiring Leaders Award from the Nonprofit Center of Southern California (2018).

Kelly currently serves as the 109th President of the Rotary Club of Long Beach—one of only nine women to hold this role in the organization’s history. She also serves as Co-Chair of the City of Long Beach’s Entertainment Strategic Planning Committee and Olympics Committee, helping shape the cultural and economic future of the city.

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.

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 full-time 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 grew up 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.

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.

Joe Alfano brings more than 25 years of nonprofit fundraising and management experience to Long Beach Symphony. Most recently, he served as Chief Development Officer at Radiant Health Centers in Irvine. His prior work includes roles at the national environmental advocacy organization Food & Water Watch, as well as respected New York institutions like Brooklyn Botanic Garden and Mohonk Preserve.

A California native, Joe is passionate about both the performing arts and environmental causes. He strives to inspire others to invest in their communities and create a better future. Born and raised in the Los Angeles area, he returned to California in 2017 after 23 years in New York City and the Hudson Valley.

In his free time, Joe enjoys spending time with his family and exploring the great outdoors with his dog, Nemo. A classically trained tenor, he performs whenever time allows. He holds a B.F.A. in Drama from New York University and a certificate in Writing for Television from UCLA’s School of Theater, Film & Television Professional Program.

With over two decades of experience in arts marketing, communications, and group sales, throughout her career Jean Oelrich has helped orchestras and cultural organizations expand audiences and deepen community engagement. She has directed group sales initiatives at LA Opera and the Chicago Symphony’s Ravinia Festival—the latter tripling group revenue from $500,000 to $1.5 million over five seasons. At Pacific Symphony, her strategic shift from passive to proactive sales helped drive a 155% increase in group revenue over three years. As Principal of Quill Consulting, she continues to partner with performing arts organizations and cultural nonprofits on audience development and storytelling that connects art with community.

Jean was born into a musical family in Chicago. She is a former professional oboist and bandoneónista, who has performed as an extra with the Chicago Symphony and Lyric Opera orchestras on both instruments. She also brings to her work the perspective of a trained musicologist (M.A., Northwestern University; B.A., Roosevelt University). Based in Long Beach for more than a decade, Jean is pleased for the opportunity to contribute to the vibrant cultural community of the city she calls home.

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 grew up in a family of musicians and was introduced to music education in the public school system growing up in San Francisco.
She brings to the Long Beach Symphony a diverse background in nonprofit work, government agencies, and operations management. Liya holds a BA from California State University, Long Beach, in Environmental Geography.
In her free time, you’ll find Liya doing bicycle tours, studying geology, practicing cello, and spending time with her family.

David De Santiago holds a Bachelor of Science in Marketing from California State University, Long Beach, where he also completed the Ukleja Center for Ethical Leadership’s Certificate Program. During his time at CSULB, he served as Publicity Chairman for the university’s Rotaract chapter. He brings digital marketing experience from his work with small businesses and community-focused brands, including Compton Soul Clothing, Cake Bash Studio, and YogaSix Royal Oak. David is passionate about creating content that engages and connects with diverse audiences through thoughtful storytelling and strategy. Outside of his professional practice, David enjoys thrifting, collecting Monchhichi dolls, and attending live music events. He also curates lifestyle content on Pinterest as a creative outlet, where his account has grown to over 70,000 monthly viewers.

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.