The Symphonettes is a Miami based charitable organization founded in 1966 that is made up of approximately 85 high school girls dedicated to enriching and promoting the arts in the South Florida community. Its members usher at concerts, volunteer at local events and raise money to give back to various groups. The Coral Gables Community Foundation, a 501(c)(3) organization, is its fiscal sponsor, enabling it to function as a nonprofit organization.
Distribution of Raised Funds
The Symphonettes distributes donations to ten or so individual music related organizations as well as seven different public schools in Miami-Dade county, and provides two scholarships for students in Florida International University’s music program. Funds for this are raised via various events and initiatives including its Fall Fundraising, Big Little Sister Meeting, Spring Garage Sale, Father Daughter Picnic, Mother Daughter Tea, Silent Auction, and Fashion Show.
Past Presidents
1966-1967: Marty Miller Raiss
1967-1968: Frosty Wenzel Grey
1968-1969: Liz Chesney Cameron
1969-1970: Janie Miller Kerestes
1970-1971: Laney Bonner Dowlen
1971: Claudia Stokes
1972: Kathy Shelley Blomqvist
1972-1973: Jane Vessels
1973-1974: Cathy Crispin Keller
1974-1975: Debbie Caldwell Downey
1975-1976: Ann Sutherland
1976-1977: Catherine Huston Lorie
1977-1978: Betsy Mathieson
1978-1979: Libbey Convey Astrachan
1979-1980: Pam Kridel
1980-1981: Laura Hicks Roberts
1981-1982: Mary Ouida Plyler
1982-1983: Liz Ludwig James
1983-1984: Jennifer Dowling Dougherty
1984-1985: Kelly Capen
1985-1986: Morgan Park
1986-1987: Lynn Ludwig
1987-1988: Frances Quillian
1988-1989: Christy Glass
1989-1990: Tracy Glass
1990-1991: Devon Hale
1991-1992: Kirsten Oman
1992-1993: Catherine Irvin
1993-1994: Amy Harrison
1994-1995: Corey Krissel
1995-1996: Lynley Walker
1996-1997: Carrie Brumbaugh
1997-1998: Christine Gelb
1998-1999: Melanie Zachar
1999-2000: Rebecca Williams
2000-2001: Sarah Schwartz
2001-2002: Caroline Underwood
2002-2003: Allison Shuffield
2003-2004: Bailey Battle
2004-2005: Molly Hart
2005-2006: Sarah Johnson
2006-2007: Grace Hill
2007-2008: Deanna Parrish
2008-2009: Lily Larson
2009-2010: Ivana Gonzalez
2010-2011: Carson Zachar
2011-2012: Caroline Murphy
2012-2013: Catherine Levy
2013-2014: Julie Goldstein
2014-2015: Kelly Moran
2015-2016: Jeanine Szomstein
2016-2017: Anne Florence Hawkins
2017-2018: Rhona He
2018-2019: Rachel Seipp
