Dallas Symphony Orchestra announces first cohort of its new Leadership Development Program

Program Designed to Attract and Build Arts Leaders of the Future
Sixteen Dallas Leaders Selected as First Class

Dallas, TX (April 23, 2021) – The Dallas Symphony Orchestra today announced the first cohort of members in its Leadership Development Program. With a curriculum tailored to meet the needs of today’s young professionals and featuring behind-the-scenes access to the Dallas Symphony, the Leadership Development Program is a new, 12-month program featuring workshops and meetings, including music and arts 101, that is designed to expand the experience of the next generation of business and nonprofit leaders, designed in collaboration with cultural anthropologist, Dr. Sharon Washington.

This first group of leaders reflects the many facets of Dallas’s thriving business and arts industries and come from diverse backgrounds and experiences.

Participants are: Nicole Bernard, Texas Instruments, Employee Communications Manager for the Analog Signal Chain; Patricia Blasquez, Dallas Regional Chamber, Director, Regional Marketing & Talent Attraction; Jesse Bultongez, RSM US LLP, Senior Associate, Business Tax Services; Adriana Castaneda, City of Dallas, Director of Office of Bond & Construction Management; Rachel Cernosek, TWU, Music Therapy Masters Student; Angela Chapman, Bright Legacy Enterprises, LLC, CEO; Juan Galván, Downtown Dallas, Inc., Manager, Community Engagement; Glyne Griffith, SiriusXM / Pandora / Stitcher, Senior Manager, Diversity & Inclusion; Morgan Hunt, Roberts Law Firm, Associate Attorney; Ashley LaFrance, PNC, Assistant Vice President, Credit Products Group; Patrick Means, Vice President – Branch Manager, Dallas Park Cities; Carson Nunnally, The Richards Group, Brand Manager; Dr. Kelly Rinehart, Roberts Law Firm, Associate Attorney; Tyler Rucker, PNC, Treasury Management; Chelsea Sánchez, UTD, Graduate Researcher; Sarah-Michelle Stearns, Greenberg Traurig, LLP, Associate; and Danielle Woolery, TWU, Coordinator of Instrumental Studies.

Program participants will have networking opportunities with Ross Perot President & CEO, Kim Noltemy, and the members of the Dallas Symphony Board of Governors. The program will feature speakers from around the country who are experts in their field. Participants will also have the opportunity to attend concerts, meet DSO musicians and network with key DSO constituents. Topics for discussion will include Dialogue, Deliberation, Debate and the Art of Powerful Questions; Adaptive Leadership and Board Leadership; Implicit Bias and Race & Racism; Backstage at the Performing Arts and more.

“We are delighted to launch this program with these incredible leaders here in Dallas,” said Kim Noltemy, Ross Perot President & CEO of the Dallas Symphony. “Whether someone hopes to join a nonprofit arts board in the future, or are simply interested in taking the next step to be an inclusive leader in their corporation, we hope the inaugural class of the Leadership Development Program will work to build a devoted, inclusive board and audience, one leader at a time.”

“In the past four decades, Dallas has been transformed by demographic shifts. That remarkable change has put Dallas at the forefront of a call to build something that has not existed before: a truly inclusive and equitable arts network. This program is an important first step toward that goal,” said Dr. Sharon Washington, cultural anthropologist and designer of the program.  “I look forward to the continuing growth of this program as it creates new opportunities for the future of Dallas.”

ABOUT THE DALLAS SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA
The Dallas Symphony Orchestra, under the leadership of Music Director Fabio Luisi, presents world-class orchestral music at the Morton H. Meyerson Symphony Center, one of the world’s top-rated concert halls. As the largest performing arts organization in the Southwest, the DSO is committed to inspiring the broadest possible audience with distinctive classical programs, inventive pops concerts and innovative multi-media presentations. In fulfilling its commitment to the community, the orchestra reaches more than 243,000 adults and children annually through performances, educational programs and community outreach initiatives. The DSO’s involvement with the City of Dallas and the surrounding region includes an award-winning multi-faceted educational program, community projects, popular parks concerts and youth programming.

During the pandemic, the Dallas Symphony was the first major U.S. orchestra to present socially distanced concerts with live audiences during the 2020/21 Season. Furthermore, the orchestra has offered more than 200 outdoor chamber concerts in neighborhoods throughout the Metroplex since the summer. The DSO continued online music lessons to more than 200 students as part of its Young Strings and Young Musicians programs and increased its online dissemination of concerts through a newly designed website and on social media.

The DSO has a tradition dating back to 1900 and is a cornerstone of the unique, 118-acre Arts District in Downtown Dallas that is home to multiple performing arts venues, museums and parks – the largest district of its kind in the nation. The DSO is supported, in part, by funds from the Office of Arts & Culture, City of Dallas.

MEDIA CONTACTS:
Denise McGovern | Vice President of Communications | Dallas Symphony Orchestra
d.mcgovern@dalsym.com | 214.718.7094

Kristen Turner | Communications Manager | Dallas Symphony Orchestra
k.turner@dalsym.com | 214.871.4063


DSO Leadership Development Class – 2021/22


Nicole Bernard

Nicole Bernard currently leads the employee communications team for the Analog Signal Chain business within Texas Instruments (TI). A passionate people and process-oriented leader, Nicole has managed global media relations, crisis and public policy communications, executive communications, employee engagement, web platforms and social media programs since joining TI after graduating with a bachelor’s degree in advertising from the University of Texas at Austin in 2013.

Nicole has a heart for equity, inclusion and volunteerism – working to meet needs within the community as an active member of the Junior League of Dallas and co-chairing the Diversity and Inclusion team within TI’s Communications & Investor Relations Department. Nicole is also an avid supporter and creator within the arts community. In her own time, she is the founder and chief maker at her local ceramics project (NB Makes) and sings as a soloist with the Texins Jazz Band.

Patricia Blasquez

Patricia Blasquez leads marketing efforts to promote the Dallas Region and recruit companies and in-need talent to the area. In this role, she also manages the Say Yes to Dallas campaign.

Prior to the Dallas Regional Chamber, Blasquez was Policy & Communications aide to former Dallas Mayor Mike Rawlings. She played a key role in managing crisis communications, including during the July 7, 2016, attack on Dallas law enforcement and Hurricane Harvey relief in 2017. She also oversaw the expansion of Dallas Arts Week to Dallas Arts Month, a move that helped Rawlings earn the National Award for Local Arts Leadership from the Americans for the Arts (AFTA) and the United States Conference of Mayors (USCM). She served as the city’s liaison for immigration matters until the establishment of the Office of Welcoming Communities and Immigrant Affairs in 2017. Blasquez previously worked at VisitDallas, the International Rescue Committee, and The Center for American and International Law.

She holds a bachelor’s degree in international political economy from the University of Texas at Dallas and a master’s degree in strategic public relations from George Washington University.

Jesse Kombo Bultongez

Jesse Kombo Bultongez has worked in public accounting for going on four years. He is a Senior Associate in the business tax practice at RSM US LLP. Jesse serves middle market clients with tax compliance services and consultation regarding complex tax issues. He focuses primarily on partnership taxation of private equity funds, hedge funds, real estate, health care and PE portfolio companies. Prior to RSM, he was part of the accounting team in the Department of Biophysics at UT Southwestern Medical Center.

Jesse serves as treasurer on the board of the Dallas Symphony Young Professionals. He earned a Bachelors in accounting from the University of North Texas and a Masters in accounting from Texas Woman’s University.

Adriana Castaneda

Adriana Castaneda joined the City of Dallas in March 2018, and currently serves as the Director of Bond and Construction Management, overseeing and managing the City of Dallas 2017 Bond Program totaling $1.05 Billion in capital projects. She also assumes responsibility and manages three prior bond program projects with over $400 million in construction costs, and has committed to completing all bond projects in 2023.

In her current role, Adriana has successfully managed and supported the recent completion of 6 spray grounds and 3 aquatic parks. She has been extensively involved with City partners, including Parks for Downtown Dallas in the development of four of the City downtown parks and the phase II of Klyde Warren Park. Additionally, she has been instrumental in working with internal and external partners on Northaven Trail and the Bachman Aquatic Park and has been focused on moving the construction activities for Vickery Park Branch Library, Forest Green Branch Library, Myerson Symphony Center and Dallas Museum of Art.  In the area of Public Safety, Adriana is leading the future construction of two replacement fire stations (Fire Stations 36 and 46) and a new fire station (Fire Station 59). In addition, she works closely with Dallas Fire & Rescue in the design and construction of both Fire Station 19 and Fire Station 41.

Prior to joining the City of Dallas, Adriana served in leadership positions for private and public sectors in California for over seventeen years covering the areas of economic development, affordable housing, program administration, and public works. Adriana holds a Bachelor of Arts in Criminology, Law, and Society from the University of California, Irvine, and a Master of Public Administration from San Diego State University.

Rachel Christine Cernosek

Rachel Christine Cernosek is a flutist with eleven years of experience and a graduate student studying music therapy. In May of 2020, Ms. Cernosek graduated from Texas Christian University with a Bachelor’s in Music (Flute Performance) and a Minor in Psychology. During her time at TCU, she participated in numerous solo, collaborative, and ensemble performances as a student of Dr. Shauna Thompson, taught private flute lessons at a local high school for two years, and even had the opportunity to shape young lives through music as a Creative Arts Intern with Cook Children’s Medical Center. She now works as a graduate assistant to Dr. Pamela Youngblood at Texas Woman’s University where she assists with undergraduate flute lessons. Rachel is currently pursuing a Master’s in Music Therapy at TWU. She aspires to work with children with cognitive and developmental disabilities or in pediatric medical care centers, and she looks forward to future endeavors as a performing artist and educator.

Angela Chapman

Angela is the CEO of Bright Legacy Enterprises, LLC and Affiliated Companies where she leads the companies in real estate acquisitions, financing, and human resources. Previously, she spent over 15 years working in Professional Employment Organizations where she has managed Texas operations as a Human Resource Consultant partnering with business owners, developing annual healthcare/life and payroll designs. 

Ms. Chapman is a graduate of Texas A&M University with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Health Administration. She is an Endowed Century Club Member and provides Aggie scholarships each year to students in need.  

Angela has made an impact in the areas of Arts, Education, and Children Welfare. Currently, she serves on the Board of Directors of the Dallas Black Dance Theatre. She is a past Co-Chair of their largest fundraiser. Other philanthropic associations include North Texas Food Bank, American Heart Association, American Diabetes Association, and a DISD volunteer.

Juan Galván

Juan Galván began his singing career with Dallas Symphony Orchestra before his professional debut at the Winspear Opera House. During eight years at the AT&T Performing Arts Center, he worked in corporate fundraising while performing with The Dallas Opera. For the past three years, he has been programming Dallas’ downtown parks and community events with Downtown Dallas, Inc. A few key projects that Juan has launched have been: Trick-or-Treat on Downtown Streets, Discover Downtown Dallas Movie Series, and the Stocking Stroll.

Glyne Griffith

Glyne Griffith has a professional background in diversity, entertainment, marketing, and technology, with corporations such as SiriusXM, Nissan, General Motors, and Broadcast Music Incorporated.  

Griffith currently serves as Senior Manager, Diversity & Inclusion for SiriusXM and its family of brands, including Pandora and Stitcher. Griffith is a Certified Diversity Professional (CDP) and holds a Corporate Social Responsibility certification (CSR). Griffith is passionate about the role that arts and entertainment can play as a catalyst for unity and social impact. 

Griffith is a vocalist with the Dallas Symphony Chorus. His artistic background also includes piano, acting, and songwriting, with original compositions featured on a film soundtrack and top Billboard-charting album.   Griffith is in the final months of securing his Doctor of Business Administration degree with an emphasis in Organizational Leadership, has a Master’s in Entertainment Business, and a Bachelor’s in Electrical Engineering. Griffith is a devoted husband and father of two. 

Morgan Hunt

Morgan Hunt grew up locally in the suburb of Colleyville. She went on to pursue higher education at Colorado State University where she played on the women’s basketball team. After two years, Ms. Hunt transferred back home to the University of Texas at Arlington. At UTA, Ms. Hunt was heavily involved in the NCAA Student Athlete Advisory Committee where she excelled in community service and practiced leadership skills as one of UTA’s first class of leadership officers. Ms. Hunt also served as captain of the women’s basketball team for UTA’s 2014-2015 season. After graduating cum laude from UTA, Ms. Hunt went on to attend The University of Texas School of Law. During law school, she competed in multiple interscholastic mock trial tournaments and was an officer for the Delta Theta Phi Law Fraternity, Intl. In 2019, Ms. Hunt moved back to the Dallas Area where she now practices antitrust law.

Ashley LaFrance

Ashley LaFrance is an assistant vice-president in PNC’s Corporate Banking Credit Products Group. She joined the bank through her summer internship in 2017, after which she accepted a full-time position in the Commercial and Corporate Banking Development program. She graduated the Development Program in February 2021 and transitioned into her current role where she is responsible for providing fundamental financial and credit analysis on, and portfolio management for, the Dallas and Austin portfolios.

Ashley graduated magna cum laude from the University of Georgia in 2018, where she was a student in the Honors Program and the Terry College of Business. She holds a bachelor’s degree in finance and a minor in French. Throughout her four years at UGA, she was an active member of UGA Miracle, a philanthropy benefitting Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta. She enjoys being an involved member of her community and looks forward to working with the DSO.

Patrick Means

Patrick brings experience that is varied across many different aspects of personal financial planning and investing.  He is responsible for maintaining a high level of excellence at his branch with a team of investment professionals who partner with their clients to understand their goals, create a personalized plan, and provide investing guidance.

Patrick received his MBA degree from the Leon Hess Business School at Monmouth University, and has an undergraduate degree in Economics from Rutgers University in New Brunswick, New Jersey.  In 2020, he received his Certified Wealth Strategist® designation.

He is an active champion of financial literacy to our youth and previously served as the Charles Schwab Relationship Ambassador for the Boys & Girls Club of the Austin Area.

Dr. Kelly Rinehart

Dr. Kelly Rinehart, Associate Attorney with Roberts Law Firm, PA, is a Texas native and longtime fan of the orchestral and symphonic arts. Before she began her work as an attorney, Dr. Rinehart accumulated professional experience as a licensed therapist with a PHD in counseling and psychology. Dr. Rinehart is also known by her more familiar title, Chaplain. As a leader within the Army community, she served as a Chaplain for twenty years, including four tours in the Middle East. Dr. Rinehart equates leadership with influence. Her leadership motto remains: “As a leader, you must be more committed to courage and to character, than to your own comfort.” Dr. Rinehart believes her time of service in the military taught her invaluable lessons on the importance of working with people who look differently, speak differently, and believe differently than you. “Diversity joined by shared value makes any team a stronger team.”

Tyler Rucker

Tyler has been a part of PNC’s Treasury Management Group since 2018. In his current role, he collaborates with Treasury Sales Officers to support the treasury needs of Fortune 1000 companies headquartered in Texas and throughout the Southwest. Tyler is an active member of the Dallas Association of Financial Professionals and recently obtained the Certified Treasury Professional certification. 

Tyler graduated from Tennessee State University with a bachelor’s degree in Economics with a concentration in Math and a minor in Business administration. He is an active member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity Inc and Alpha Kappa Psi Business Fraternity. Outside of work, he enjoys playing music, traveling and learning French. 

Chelsea Sánchez

Chelsea Sánchez is currently a graduate student studying biological data sciences at UT Dallas and serves as the University Liaison and Secretary for the Dallas Symphony Orchestra Young Professionals Board. The University Liaison works in conjunction with other board members to create opportunities for college-aged students to be more comfortable with classical music settings through education and volunteering. Chelsea has always had a deep passion for classical music and is a devout fan of the DSO. Her favorite classical music sub-genre is baroque and her favorite composer is J.S. Bach. Before moving to Dallas, she played violin for several years in various church orchestras. She has played violin for more than 10 years and serves as a violin teacher in her community part time at a private music studio. Chelsea believes that equal access to quality classical music education and music experiences should be a vital aspect of everyone’s life and that creating opportunities to engage with our community begins with like-minded individuals volunteering to help those around us disseminate our love for music.

Sarah-Michelle Stearns

An adventure-seeker and “do-er” by nature, Sarah-Michelle Stearns is always out and about. In her day job, she enjoys learning new areas of the law and helping her clients navigate complex legal issues. Outside of work you can find her exploring new spots in Dallas. As a native Dallasite, she is an avid supporter of local concerts and theater productions. Admittedly, she does also enjoy traveling to Austin to cheer on THE Texas Longhorns, too. Overall, Sarah-Michelle is excited to learn more about the arts in Dallas and is proud to continue her leadership journey with the DSO Leadership Development Program.

Danielle Woolery

Danielle Woolery is Associate Professor of Music and Coordinator of Instrumental Studies at Texas Woman’s University, where she teaches clarinet and coursework in music education, performance, and pedagogy. She holds degrees from University of Miami, where she was a Teaching Assistant and Henry Mancini Institute Fellow, Webster University, and University of North Texas. Dr. Woolery shares expertise regularly at several prominent institutions and meetings, including conferences associated with national music organizations. She publishes practitioner-based articles through various avenues and serves on the editorial board of the NACWPI Journal. With research focused on clarinet pedagogy in the field of music education, Dr. Woolery won first prize twice at the International Clarinet Association Research Competitions in Italy and Belgium. An avid clarinetist, she has performed in a variety of settings across the United States and abroad. Dr. Woolery currently serves as President of the National Association of College Wind and Percussion Instructors. 

Carson Nunnally

Carson learned to read music before she learned to read words. Beginning the violin at age 5 can do that to a girl. Safe to say that from an early age, she was destined to work in a creative industry.

That destiny was reinforced by attending Vanderbilt University, where Carson majored in communication studies and minored in violin performance and corporate strategy, an experience that helped cement her appreciation for the intersection of business and creativity.

At The Richards Group, Carson has helped a wide range of diverse clients succeed strategically and creatively including Famous Footwear, Boston Market, Ruth’s Chris Steak House, Scripps Health, Sewell Automotive Companies, Volunteers of America, P.F. Chang’s, Sub-Zero Wolf and Cove, and Orkin Pest Control. Carson is also a leading member of She@TRG, an ally group within The Richards Group with a mission to encourage, support, and inspire women to advance their skills and leadership potential.

When she’s not at the office, Carson’s seeking out even more ways to develop her creativity. She currently plays first violin in the North Texas Symphony Orchestra, dabbles in watercolor painting, and on weekends can be found hiking in a state or national park somewhere.

That might seem like a lot. But Carson knows that when you were born to do something, you’ll have a lot of fun doing it.