The Power of the Cello

The San Diego Symphony Orchestra’s story has always been shaped by the people who believe in it—and for Ben and Nikki Clay, that story begins with a cello.

In 1927, the Symphony elected its first Board chair: cellist Ed H. Clay. His grandson, Ben, picked up the same instrument as a child, eager to honor his grandfather’s legacy. But when Ed heard young Ben play, he gently suggested to Ben’s father that perhaps another instrument might suit him better.

Even if performance wasn’t in his future, Ben’s love for music only deepened. As a boy, he attended concerts at the former Aztec Bowl at San Diego State University, sparking a lifelong passion for classical music. That passion grew into decades of service and leadership—most notably when Ben chaired the Symphony’s Board through its critical reorganization in the 1980s.

The cello, however, never left his heart. In 2000, Ben and Nikki joined the Symphony’s Partner with a Player program, which offers donors a unique chance to build personal connections with the musicians. They were paired with cellist Mary Oda Szanto, and what began as a program match turned into a treasured 24-year friendship.

With Mary’s recent retirement, the Clays once again turned to the cello. At Mary’s recommendation, they are beginning a new partnership with Nathan Walhout, now in his sixth year with the orchestra. Nathan’s wife, Nicole Chung, is also a gifted cellist and a substitute with the Symphony. The Clays look forward to meeting them both at an upcoming luncheon—a passing of the torch that keeps the music and relationships alive.

Beyond the concert hall, Ben and Nikki Clay are deeply woven into San Diego’s civic fabric. Together they founded Carpi & Clay, a nationally respected government relations firm with offices in San Diego, Sacramento, and Washington, D.C. For more than three decades, the firm has been at the forefront of many of the most important issues facing our city, state, and nation.

The Clays are also tireless advocates for San Diego’s cultural and economic vitality. Their leadership has extended to the San Diego Chamber of Commerce, the Economic Development Corporation, the Downtown San Diego Partnership, the Convention Center Board, and the San Diego River Conservancy, of which Ben is the Board Chair—just to name a few. And within the arts, they remain steadfast champions of the Symphony and its role in enriching the community.

For Ben and Nikki Clay, the power of the cello is more than just music—it’s a thread connecting generations, friendships, and a lifelong commitment to strengthening San Diego through both culture and community.