Staff

MARY STEFFEK BLASKE, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

Mary Steffek Blaske is responsible for the A²SO’s audience development, concert-related public relations, educational programs, and production. Steffek Blaske oversees the A2SO administrative staff in the execution of all Symphony Orchestra activities. Mary is a highly skilled nonprofit director with over 25 years of managerial experience. Steffek Blaske also possesses… Read more…

LORI ZUPAN, BUSINESS MANAGER

Lori Zupan is responsible for budgeting, tracking and managing all of the A²SO’s finances, as well as coordinating subscription ticket sales and producing the programs distributed to patrons at concerts. Zupan also works on Hearts for the Arts, our primary educational fundraiser. Lori is the A2SO’s longest serving employee, and… Read more

JENNIFER BALCH HALE, DIRECTOR OF DEVELOPMENT & DONOR SERVICES

Jennifer Balch Hale brings to the A²SO over 26 years of non-profit experience, and a specialization in donor relations, development, planned and endowment giving, and stewardship. Jennie is a true Ann Arbor “Townie” and an Ypsilanti fan at heart. She went to school at Bader Elementary, Tappan Middle School… Read more…

JIM LANCIONI, PERSONNEL MANAGER

Production Manager Jim Lancioni is responsible for auditioning and hiring the A²SO’s musicians, as well as renting and purchasing all music needed for performances. Jim obtained his Bachelor’s degree in Percussion Performance from the University of Michigan in 1978. He has been Ann Arbor Symphony Orchestra’s Principal Timpanist for over… Read More…

KARA SUDHEIMER, PATRON SERVICES MANAGER

Kara Sudheimer is responsible for giving customers welcoming contact, handling ticket orders, and preparing for special events. Ms. Sudheimer graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in Music Management from the University of Evansville in 1996, combining her musical knowledge and skill on violin (as well as several other instruments)…Read more…

KIRA WOODFIELD LEEPER, EDUCATION & ENGAGEMENT MANAGER

Kira Woodfield Leeper is responsible for the implementation of the Ann Arbor Symphony Orchestra’s educational and community engagement programs. Kira joined the A²SO as Production Coordinator in December 2015. Kira is a Metro-Detroit musician, educator and arts administrator. She attended Brigham Young University where she received a Bachelor of Music in Oboe Performance under…Read more…

ERIN CASLER, PRODUCTION COORDINATOR

YI-CHING CHEN, EDUCATION & VOLUNTEER COORDINATOR

Yi-Ching Chen is responsible for assisting in the implementation of the Ann Arbor Symphony Orchestra’s educational programs and she oversees the A²SO’s volunteer force. Yi-Ching joined the A2SO as an intern in the summer of 2017. She received her doctoral degree in Tuba Performance from the University of Michigan, where…Read more…

TYLER RAND, MARKETING & PUBLIC RELATIONS MANAGER

Tyler Rand brings over ten years of arts administration experience to the A2SO, with a special emphasis in classical music marketing and fundraising. He comes to the A2SO from Classical 90.5 WSMC in Chattanooga, Tennessee where he served in many roles, including On-Air Host, Music Director, and Social Innovation Manager. He is also an…Read more…

february, 2019

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2019sat02feb6:00 pmsat11:00 pmHEARTS FOR THE ARTS6:00 pm - 11:00 pm Barton Hills Country Club

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MARY STEFFEK BLASKE

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

Mary Steffek Blaske is responsible for the A2SO’s audience development, concert-related public relations, educational programs, and production. Steffek Blaske oversees the A2SO administrative staff in the execution of all Symphony Orchestra activities. Mary is a highly skilled nonprofit director with over 25 years of managerial experience. Steffek Blaske also possesses an extensive musical background as a performer in, and organizer of, several community musical events and organizations.

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LORI ZUPAN

BUSINESS MANAGER

Lori Zupan is responsible for budgeting, tracking and managing all of the A2SO’s finances, as well as coordinating subscription ticket sales and producing the programs distributed to patrons at concerts. Zupan also works on Hearts for the Arts, our primary educational fundraiser. Lori is the A2SO’s longest serving employee, and has been with the A2SO for almost 30 years, having joined our administrative team in 1988. Zupan received her Bachelor’s degree in Music from Oberlin College in 1980, and has been an active board member of various arts organizations since that time. An accomplished musician, Lori has provided professional piano accompaniments for church services, and musical theater productions. You can hear Lori play piano during the Ann Arbor Symphony Orchestra’s Hearts for the Arts fundraiser, as she donates her talent annually.

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JENNIFER BALCH HALE

DIRECTOR OF DEVELOPMENT & DONOR SERVICES

Jennifer Balch Hale brings to the A2SO over 26 years of non-profit experience, and a specialization in donor relations, development, planned and endowment giving, and stewardship. Jennie is a true Ann Arbor “Townie” and an Ypsilanti fan at heart. She went to school at Bader Elementary, Tappan Middle School, and Huron High School, and eventually graduated from DePaul University in Greencastle, Indiana. Jennie spent the years following her college career living in Washington DC, Alexandria, VA, Honolulu, HI, and Silverdale, WA, which never quite measured up to Ann Arbor. She jokes that Honolulu was pretty close though! Jennie decided that Ann Arbor was, in the end, the very best place to raise her daughter, Julia, and returned permanently several years ago. Jennie’s love of live music began when her daughter started singing before she could talk, and grew with the dozens of concerts and performances she attended over the years. In fact, Jennie’s first A2SO concert was Mahler’s 5th, in which her daughter performed with the Ann Arbor Youth Chorale’s Concert Choir. Since returning to Ann Arbor, Jennie’s been active in Washtenaw County at many organizations and most recently served as Growing Hope’s Development Director (where she will remain active as a volunteer). Jennie also worked with the Ann Arbor Area Community Foundation for 15 years, where she served in various capacities, including Development Officer. Throughout her career, Jennie has volunteered with a plethora of organizations, including Neutral Zone, Friends of the Pioneer Choirs, Ann Arbor Youth Chorale, the YMCA Teen Programming Committee and Strong Kids Campaigns, and the Eberwhite Elementary School PTO. In addition to continuing with Growing Hope as a member of their Advisory Committee, Jennie is also currently on the Board of the Friends of the Ann Arbor Skatepark, and serves as the Foundation Officer on the Ann Arbor Delta Gamma Alumnae Board. This fall, Julia starts her freshman year of college at DePaul University in Chicago, and Jennie’s only office supply request is that we keep her well-stocked with Kleenex.

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James Lancioni

Percussion / Timpani

Production Manager, Jim Lancioni, is responsible for auditioning and hiring the A2SO’s musicians, renting and purchasing all music needed for performances. Jim obtained his Bachelor’s degree in Percussion Performance from the University of Michigan in 1978. He has been Ann Arbor Symphony Orchestra’s Principal Timpanist for over 34 years, and was the driving force behind obtaining the symphony’s own set of timpani. Jim also plays in other area orchestras, teaches private lessons, performs as a freelance artist, and plays with his band, Coconut Radio. Jim lives in Chelsea with his wife g, and has two daughters and one grandson.

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KARA SUDHEIMER

PATRON SERVICES MANAGER

Kara Sudheimer is responsible for giving customers welcoming contact, handling ticket orders, and preparing for special events. Ms. Sudheimer graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in Music Management from the University of Evansville in 1996, combining her musical knowledge and skill on violin (as well as several other instruments) with her expertise in business. Prior to joining the A2SO, Kara served as both an intern and production manager at the Plymouth Symphony Orchestra, and also spent 10 years at a fine arts recording studio (where she worked closely with local talent, as well as Grammy Award winning artists), accumulating over a decade of business experience. In her spare time, Kara is a bell ringer in a handbell choir, and enjoys cycling and science fiction.

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KIRA WOODFIELD LEEPER

EDUCATION & ENGAGEMENT MANAGER

Kira Woodfield Leeper is responsible for the implementation of the Ann Arbor Symphony Orchestra's educational and community engagement programs. Kira joined the A²SO as Production Coordinator in December 2015. Kira is a Metro-Detroit musician, educator and arts administrator. She attended Brigham Young University where she received a Bachelor of Music in Oboe Performance under the mentorship of Dr. Geralyn Giovanetti. Because Kira’s first love has always been playing and teaching the oboe, she maintains a thriving private studio in the Metro Detroit area. Kira has previously served as an appointed City Arts Commissioner for the City of Livonia, and volunteer with the New Leaders Arts Council of Michigan & MCACA in support of youth-led arts and cultural programs through the review and distribution of grants in Michigan.

ERIN CASLER

PRODUCTION COORDINATOR

Erin Casler graduated from Northern Michigan University in 2012 with a degree in Entrepreneurship. Since moving to Southeast Michigan in 2014, she has held a number of positions with prestigious arts organizations, including the Ann Arbor Summer Festival, UMS, and now returns to the Ann Arbor Symphony Orchestra to resume her position of Production Coordinator. In her time away from the Symphony, Casler produced classical music events in world-famous venues across the globe, including Carnegie Hall, Walt Disney Concert Hall, the Orangerie, and St. Peter's Basilica. She currently holds the position of Group Sales Assistant with UMS. She also plays french horn and does graphic design for the Royal Oak Concert Band in her free time.

TYLER RAND

MARKETING & PUBLIC RELATIONS MANAGER

Tyler Rand brings over ten years of arts administration experience to the A²SO, with a special emphasis in classical music marketing and fundraising. He comes to the A^2SO from Classical 90.5 WSMC in Chattanooga, Tennessee where he served in many roles, including On-Air Host, Music Director, and Social Innovation Manager. He is also an experienced oboist, composer, and conductor. He holds a bachelor’s degree in music theory with an emphasis in oboe performance with additional studies in Spanish. Tyler is especially passionate about equity and access in the arts and is a member of the Composer Diversity Project. He has helped commission several works from living composers and is an advocate for new music. Outside of music, Tyler enjoys the study of languages, New England sports teams, and spending time in the outdoors with his Siberian Husky, Niko.

Pioneer High School Choirs

The Ann Arbor Pioneer High School A Cappella Choir is one of four curricular and nine extra-curricular choral ensembles at Ann Arbor Pioneer High School, the 2006 & 2011 National GRAMMY® Signature School. The A Cappella Choir has performed at the American Choral Directors Association Central Division Convention (2014), American Choral Directors Association Michigan State Convention (2014 & 2018), Michigan Music Conference (2013 & 2018), and Michigan Youth Arts Festival (2012, 2013, 2014, 2015 & 2017). In 2014 & 2015, they were selected as an Outstanding Choir and featured at the Gala Concert of the Michigan Youth Arts Festival. The Pioneer Choirs have collaborated with the Ann Arbor Symphony Orchestra and the Detroit Chamber Winds and Strings.