This 2025-26 season marks Roger Wilkie’s 35th year as Long Beach Symphony’s Concertmaster!
“Much has changed, but one thing has not – Long Beach Symphony is my family, my community, and my place to share the joy of music with you,“ said Wilke.
A Southern California native, violinist Roger Wilkie’s professional career began at age 21 when he joined the Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra, eventually being appointed Principal Second Violin, a position he held until 1989. He has also served as Guest Concertmaster with the LA Opera, Los Angeles Master Chorale, and the Real Filharmonia De Galicia, Spain under Music Director, Helmut Rilling. Roger’s career extends to the Hollywood Studios, where he has participated in the soundtracks of over 1000 films as well as television recordings. In 2005 he received the honor of serving as Concertmaster for John Williams’ scores for Star Wars: The Force Awakens, Indiana Jones IV, Munich, and Memoirs of a Geisha. You may hear his solo work on the score of the movie A Single Man and a violin solo in The Adventures of Tintin score by John Williams. Wilkie has also performed on scores for Spider-Man: Homecoming, Deadpool, Avatar, Gone Girl, The Town and many more. Read more…
“Roger exemplifies the role of the perfect concertmaster: A quiet leader in full support of the conductor, a mind reader par excellence, a fabulous musician with incredible technique and gorgeous sound, and a musical model for all: The violin section, the string section as well as the entire orchestra. Attentive to every detail, always shaping cohesiveness of the entire ensemble, and beautiful in all concertmaster solos, he displays not only the highest work ethic but an incredible spirit that brings people together and makes music come alive. Roger is dream to work with – and it is an honor to call him a friend,” says Eckart Preu, Long Beach Symphony Music Director.
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IN THIS ISSUE
Chair’s Column from Judy D’Ambrosio
As Ovation Council Chair I would like to welcome you all to the 91st season of the Long Beach Symphony! Under the baton of Eckart Preu, we can look forward to an exciting Classical and Pops Season.
You may have noticed the revised look and feel of our SCORE newsletter. We are happy to announce that we have made recent changes to align with the new Symphony Notes. You should be receiving both communications. The Symphony Notes is sent to a broad audience and focuses on all topics related to the Long Beach Symphony. Our SCORE newsletter is designed specifically for our Ovation volunteer members and will continue to share information and updates relating to Ovation activities.
I am honored to be the Chair for Ovation this coming year. Serving with me on the Ovation Council are:
- Secretary – Jennifer Jank
- Treasurer – Victoria Sawtelle
- Membership – Victoria Chenevey & Nicole Neesham
Committee Chairs:
- The Score Newsletter – Nancy Fox & Shelley ONeil
- Personal Communications (Ovation Cares) – Kay Marsik
- Tributes and Memorials – Judy Way
- Ovation Occasions – Kris Ajello
- Ovation Volunteers – Bobbie Cusato, Delfina and Glenn Skalland
- Rehearsal Receptions: Classics & Pops – Shannon Taylor (Classics) & Ethel Sanford (Pops)
- Education Programs – Ethel Sanford
- Fundraising – Victoria Chenevey
- Patron Engagement (Ambassador) – Mary and Steve Lang
- Vital Information Custodian–Victoria Sawtelle
- Parliamentarian–Joan Greenwood
There are many opportunities for service and fun as an Ovation volunteer. This year, like past years, Ovation volunteers are needed at the Youth (January 28, 29, 2026) and Family (June 7, 2026) concerts, Golf Classic (December 8, 2025), Crescendo (May 3, 2026), Instrument Petting Zoos, rehearsals, and many more. You will receive specific information on these volunteer activities prior to the event. Helping at these activities reinforces Ovation’s mission to support the programs, policies, and goals of the Long Beach Symphony through the coordination and facilitation of volunteer activities. We need and welcome your involvement in these worthwhile events.
Like all organizations, we need to increase our membership. Our membership drive is ongoing. You should have received your renewal information and reminders were emailed. The easiest way to renew or become a member is online at longbeachsymphony.org/Ovation. Talk to friends and neighbors about joining Ovation as a volunteer. It takes hundreds of volunteer hours to make events successful and they are made possible with your support.
As Ovation members you are welcome and encouraged to attend Ovation council meetings on the fourth Wednesday of each month at 340 Nieto Ave, Long Beach, CA 90814 starting at 4 pm.
Thank you in advance for your support and volunteering!!!!
The Bobbie Cusato Volunteer of the Year Award 2025: Nina West
The Bobbie Cusato Volunteer of the Year award was established in 2019 to honor a Symphony volunteer who espouses the character of its namesake:
- Years of dedicated service
- Demonstration of extraordinary leadership
- Committed to working long hours
- One who has a “can-do” attitude
- Creative and quick problem-solving skills
- One who builds consensus while being a team player
- A passionate advocate and ambassador for the Long Beach Symphony
We are very excited to announce that this year’s award recipient is Nina West. Nina has been supporting the Long Beach Symphony for decades. For ten years, Nina has been an active Ovation member, recently serving on the education committee, a dependable, hard-working Youth Concert volunteer, as well as assisting with our IPZ’s, specializing in mouthpiece sanitation. Volunteers and staff alike agree that she is an absolute joy to work with. Nina was delighted to be selected: “I am so proud to have won the award. It was a big surprise to me and I’m just so pleased!”
Nina – Congratulations on this well-deserved honor as you are recognized for your outstanding leadership within Ovation and the Long Beach Symphony family!
Instrument Petting Zoo Program: Opening Doors to a Lifelong Love of Music
The Instrument Petting Zoo (IPZ) was conceived with a simple but ambitious vision: to make music tangible, accessible, and irresistible to children. The goal is not only to nurture future musicians but also to foster a community that understands the transformative power of music, thereby expanding the base for our symphony concerts. We’re proud to report that in 2025 we took this hands-on experience for young children to more than 20 locations spanning 280 square miles throughout Long Beach and neighboring communities, among them Anaheim, Huntington Beach, Cerritos and Redondo Beach. In total, we served nearly 1,000 people; more than in 2024. By offering this program free of charge, the Symphony removes financial barriers and opens doors for those who might otherwise never explore music.
How the Program Works: Picture a vibrant space—a local library, school auditorium, or outdoor festival—alive with the chatter of excited children and the gentle hum of tuning strings. Here, an array of orchestral instruments awaits: violin, viola, cello, trumpets, French horn, trombone, flute, clarinet, oboe, percussion instruments and even a snare drum. Each instrument is carefully displayed and supervised by volunteers and student interns. Children are invited to pick up, hold, and try each instrument. This tactile approach demystifies orchestral music, breaking down barriers of intimidation and replacing them with the playful spirit of experimentation. Some Petting Zoo’s events are paired with mini-concerts and/or instrument demonstrations, such as the RumBa Foundation Family Concert.
Impact on the Community: The Instrument Petting Zoo is more than an educational program—it’s a bridge between the Long Beach Symphony and the broader community, bringing music to neighborhoods that may not have ready exposure to the arts. The Petting Zoo also fosters intergenerational connection. Grandparents and parents reminisce about their own musical experiences, while younger generations discover new possibilities. Many parents have shared stories of their children asking for music lessons after attending the Petting Zoo.
Join the Fun! Volunteers are the lifeblood of this program, and although the IPZ program served more children and families in 2025 than in previous years, we had lower volunteer participation. If we want to continue to operate at the current level- and perhaps aspire to even greater numbers– we will need more volunteers. No special skills are required. If you love music and enjoy working with children, we invite you to become part of this joyful initiative. Volunteers greet families, guide children in safely handling instruments, and create a welcoming environment where every child feels empowered to explore music. Although not a prerequisite for participation, the Symphony encourages Ovation members to attend the IPZ orientation session in early summer. If you are interested in volunteering for future IPZ events, please contact Ethel Sanford.
Ovation Occasion: Picnic in the Garden
On Friday, September 26th, Ovation hosted a sold-out event “Picnic in the Garden with Maestro Eckart Preu” at the beautiful Zaferia Junction Community Garden. Attendees were treated to a garden tour, cello performance by Hank Taylor, buffet lunch and the highlight was Maestro Preu, featuring Pianist Fei-Fei and introduction by LB Symphony President Kelly Ruggirello.The annual picnic is always a wonderful opportunity to connect with Maestro Preu and key members of the Symphony staff while visiting with Ovation members. During the presentation, Maestro Preu offered a look into his life and the 2025-26 season. He answered attendee questions on his process for music selection and performance preparation. Maestro Preu also invited Pianist Fei-Fei to share her insights from a musician’s perspective. It was truly a fascinating and inspiring conversation!
The program also included an update from Kelly Ruggirello on exciting future plans for the Symphony. Kelly shared behind the scenes details on the construction of a world class amphitheater on Queen Mary Island, involvement in the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics festivities and the on-going expansion of educational outreach programs.
The picnic showcased a cello performance by local musician, Hank Taylor. Hank began playing cello at Rogers Middle School, was a member of the Poly High School Orchestra, completed a summer intern program with the Symphony and recently graduated from Jacob’s School of Music. Hank is connected to Ovation through his proud grandmas, long time Ovation members Margie Masterson and Shannon Taylor, and has assisted with Instrument Petting Zoo events and other youth activities. It was very special to have him performing for us.
The garden location was described by many as totally charming and very unexpected. Zaferia Junction Community Garden is part of the Long Beach Organic (LBO), a nonprofit organization committed to transforming urban vacant lots into beautiful community gardens. Zaferia is LBO’s largest garden with 115 individual plots, large composting operation, communal grape arbor and orchard. The garden tour highlighted the dedication of LBO members to create an environment that is productive, beautiful and sustainable. The tour also included a special beekeeping demonstration. Use of the garden was made possible through LBO President, Valerie Condon. We are very grateful to Valerie and her team for making our visit such a memorable experience.
RuMBa Foundation Family Concert: Dan Brown’s Wild Symphony Captivates Long Beach Families
Special Recognition
This past June, Brian Buchanan passed the torch as editor of The Score. We are very grateful to him for all his efforts in this area! As editor for over 4 years, Brian expanded and developed the newsletter to make it what it is today. Not only did Brian lead content creation, but he was also responsible for print formatting which was a considerable task. Then, during these last 2 years, in addition to his role as newsletter editor, he also served as Ovation Council Co-President. When asked where he found his motivation, Brian shared: “As a long-time supporter of the Long Beach Symphony, I discovered that involvement in Ovation really expanded my connection to the Symphony and staff which heightened my appreciation and enjoyment of the Symphony. Participating in Ovation is truly rewarding.” We are very happy to report that Brian remains committed to continuing as an active member of Ovation and is looking forward to having more time to support volunteer activities. Thank you Brian!
Upcoming Events and Volunteer Opportunities: Save the Date for the 27th Annual Long Beach Symphony Golf Classic
The Long Beach Symphony Golf Classic returns to Virginia Country Club on Monday, December 8th. The event will feature a full round of golf, refreshments, dinner and auction. Proceeds support the Long Beach Symphony music education and youth programs. There will be opportunities to help with check-in, on-the-course contests and a post-tournament silent auction. Watch for the notice in early November that will outline sign-up. Hope you can join us for a fun day on the links and support this worthwhile cause!
Youth Concerts are scheduled for January 28th and 29th of 2026. This is always a stand out educational activity reaching 12,000 4th and 5th graders. Everyone is strongly encouraged to please consider volunteering to support this effort. More information will be provided soon.↑ Back to top
Important Announcement: Ovation Orientation
Efforts are currently underway to schedule our first ever Ovation Orientation in early December. This session is being designed for all Ovation members to provide enhanced awareness of Ovation activities and processes. Details will be shared very soon. We hope to see everyone there!
Did you spot the Long Beach Transit bus with our ad?
Did you post the location and tag us? Now, ENTER TO WIN 2 TIX TO OUR UPCOMING CONCERT!
Winners will be notified by email.
Long Beach Symphony is named 2025 California Nonprofit of the YearLong Beach, CA – Long Beach Symphony is proud to announce it has been selected as a 2025 California Nonprofit of the Year by Senator Lena A. Gonzalez, 33rd District. Long Beach Symphony is one of more than one hundred nonprofits honored by their state senators and assemblymembers for their outstanding contributions to the communities they serve.
Founded in 1934, Long Beach Symphony has evolved into one of Southern California’s premier professional regional orchestras. Under the leadership of Music Director Eckart Preu, the Symphony continues to inspire and unite diverse audiences through the transformative power of music. Its mission focuses on engaging audiences of all ages and cultures, fostering a deep appreciation for the arts within the community.
“We are deeply honored to receive this recognition from Senator Gonzalez,” said Kelly Ruggirello, President of Long Beach Symphony. “This award is a testament to our dedicated musicians, staff, and supporters who strive to make music accessible and meaningful for everyone in our community.”
“We are grateful for the work of Long Beach Symphony and want to extend our congratulations for this well-deserved recognition,” said Geoff Green, CEO of the California Association of Nonprofits (CalNonprofits), the sponsor for this initiative. “Nonprofits provide critical services, advocate for our most vulnerable neighbors, and enrich the lives of all Californians. From the childcare program to the soccer team, from the art class to the health clinic, and from the community organizer to the animal shelter, nonprofits make our communities stronger.”
“Nonprofits are not just innovators and problem-solvers, but also a major economic force within the state,” said Green. According to “Causes Count,” a 2019 report commissioned by CalNonprofits, the nonprofit sector is the 4th largest industry in the state, employing more than 1.2 million people. Each year, California nonprofits generate more than $273 billion in revenue and bring in $40 billion in revenue from outside of California. The unpaid labor contributed by volunteers at nonprofits is equivalent to 330,000 full-time jobs every year.
Now in its tenth year, the California Nonprofit of the Year initiative provides the opportunity for each California state legislator to recognize a nonprofit organization doing outstanding work in their district. The program culminated with a celebratory luncheon at the Capitol on California Nonprofits Day, May 21st. Long Beach Symphony was represented by President Kelly Ruggirello and VP of Development John Cross.
The program is sponsored by the CalNonprofits in partnership with the state Senate and Assembly Select Committees on the Nonprofit Sector. CalNonprofits, the leading policy voice for California’s nonprofit sector, focuses on advocacy, education, and research to build a more powerful and politically engaged nonprofit network across the state.
For more information about the Long Beach Symphony and its programs, please visit longbeachsymphony.org.
Ryan Schulten
Ryan Schulten joined the Long Beach Symphony Board of Directors in February, 2025. Schulten is a commercial real estate professional specializing in investment sales transactions of retail properties across the United States. He began his brokerage career in 2021 at Matthews Real Estate Investment Services, specializing in single-tenant net lease properties. There, he demonstrated a strong ability to manage complex transactions and deliver high-quality service, contributing to the firm’s success and establishing valuable industry relationships.
In May 2024, Ryan joined CP Partners, where he continues to focus on the acquisition and disposition of retail assets. Leveraging his deep market knowledge
and strategic acumen, he navigates complex transactions, achieving exceptional results for his clients and contributing to CP Partners’ expansion into Southern California.
Ryan’s diverse background includes roles in technology-focused growth equity at Blueprint Equity and real estate private equity at Pacifica Enterprises, Inc. This multifaceted background enhances his ability to provide comprehensive solutions tailored to his clients’ unique needs. He earned a double major in Finance and Real Estate from the University of San Diego, which laid a solid foundation for his career. During his time at the university, Ryan was an active member of the Student Finance Association and competed on the school’s waterski team. Passionate about giving back to his community, Ryan is eager to leverage his expertise to make a meaningful impact in the Long Beach area where he grew up.
Melissa Evans
Melissa Evans joined Long Beach Symphony Board of Directors in Spring, 2025. Evans has been a journalist, editor and publisher since 1995, and currently serves as the CEO of the Long Beach Journalism Initiative, a nonprofit news organization that includes the Long Beach Post and the Long Beach Business Journal. As a reporter for outlets on the West and East Coast, her coverage included religion, social issues, health and much more. Evans earned an undergraduate degree in journalism from San Diego State, and a graduate degree in theology from Loyola Marymount. Evans also works as a part-time lecturer in the Journalism and Public Relations Department at Cal State Long Beach. A native of Gilroy, Calif., Evans has lived in Long Beach since 2007.
Concert Program Books
2025-26 Season Program Books and Notes
11/1/25 Beethoven & Beyond and 11/15/25 Iconic Voices of Change
9/28/25: Wild Symphony RuMBa Family Concert
9/27/25: Sidney Guillaume, Chopin, Tchaikovsky and Bernstein
2024-25 Season Program Books and Notes
6/7/25 LOVE STORIES Program Notes by Susan Swinburne
3/8/35 ARTURO SANDOVAL Program Notes by Susan Swinburne
3/8/25 – Musical Fusion with ARTURO SANDOVAL (Classical) and MATT MAUSER complete program book.
2/1/25 – BLUEGRASS & BEETHOVEN (Classical) Program notes are on page 6.
Teri TanDr. Teri Tan is a spontaneous communicator with a penchant for creative problem solving. She is passionate about building and fostering programs that make meaningful positive impacts on communities—on a local and global scale. Currently she is a medical administrator and management specialist, consulting for a medical group, and is also Director of Health Equity at her family’s clinic.
Born in Greece and raised in Australia, Teri started a family of her own in the United States, settling in Long Beach in the 1990s, where she established her community and philanthropic roots. She feels a deep connection to each of the places she has called home.
Prior to her work in medical administration and her move to the United States, Teri was recruited by the Australian Minister of Immigration and the national Commissioner for Community Relations as the first and leading consultant in promoting languages and multiculturalism in education as well as in professional contexts across Australia. In this role, she was involved with arts festivals and other multicultural events.
In California, Dr. Tan was a foundational member of the Cambodian Health Professionals Association of America (CHPAA), where she served as Head Mission Administrator for their first eight mission trips.
Her administrative expertise combined with her multinational first-hand experience in multiculturalism, education, the arts, and philanthropy led her to found Sustainable Health Empowerment (SHE) charitable foundation in 2014, where she has led five more global health education trips to Cambodia, mentoring students from UCLA, CSULB, and other universities. SHE was the recipient of two DHHS grants (in 2023 and 2024), enabling Teri and her team to organize three successful Long Beach health fairs of unprecedented scope, focused especially (but not exclusively) on local AAPI communities. The scope of SHE’s programs continues to expand—providing resources to underserved clinics in rural Greece, health educational resources translated for use by doctors in Rwanda, and prosthetics for amputees in Cambodia.
Teri is a lifelong learner. She has studied six languages (and is fluent in four) and was educated at universities in four countries. She holds a teaching degree, a Master’s Degree, a PhD, and, more recently, an Executive MBA from Loyola Marymount University.
Teri enjoys traveling, world history, and being involved in the arts. From 2004–2007, she served as a board member of the Pacific Symphony Youth Orchestra, and she attends local concerts and performances as often as her busy schedule permits. Most of all, she enjoys spending time with her two children—one physician and one composer-violinist—who both live nearby in Long Beach. Through her lifelong travels and friendships, she finds she feels at home everywhere in the world.
Steve CalocaSteve Caloca is the Managing Director of The Queen Mary in Long Beach, overseeing the overall management of the ship, museum, tours, events, food & beverage, retail, and hotel operations since February 2023. His 30+ year career in hospitality includes senior roles at Warner Bros. Entertainment, UCLA Lake Arrowhead, and Hyatt Hotels. At Warner Bros., he managed high-volume food & beverage services and special events, while at UCLA, he oversaw the award-winning UCLA Lake Arrowhead Conference Center. Steve loves Long Beach and looks forward to being a servant leader in the Long Beach community for years to come.
Jorge Enciso
Jorge Enciso is a Business Development Manager at Boos & Associates. Boos & Associates is a mid-sized CPA firm headquartered in Fresno, California with offices in Reedley, Las Vegas and Long Beach. Their Primary focus is on large complex engagements for closely held businesses and high net worth individuals. They provide professional services in specialized areas such as income tax compliance and planning, tax provision services, hiring incentives and tax credit studies, representations before the Internal Revenue Service and Franchise Tax Board, Business and Management advisory Services and outsourced accounting and tax services. For the past 2 years at Boos & Associates, Jorge has specialized in enhancing business growth and development, collaborating with various departments to drive strategic projects and foster client relationships. Additionally, being involved with the Long Beach Chamber of Commerce has enabled him to forge strong connections with local businesses. Outside of work, he actively participates in community activities, contributing to the betterment of our local area. He is a proud resident of Long Beach, where he lives with his husband of 8 years, with their 2-year-old chihuahua, Milo. Classical music is another passion of Jorge’s as he began playing the trumpet in junior high, continuing through high school as the symphony section leader. Jorge states, “Becoming a part of the Long Beach Symphony will be a dream come true.”