Donor Spotlight: Lisa and Michael Witz

A Season of Harmony and Giving 

For Lisa and Michael, the holidays have always been about gathering close, not around the television, but around connection through live music. 

Growing up in Tomales, a small Northern California town near Marin County, Lisa’s family did not own a TV, but instead sat by the fire, read, and listened to the radio together. Her dad’s record player filled the evenings with the crackle of vinyl and the hum of music. Those simple, shared moments taught her early on that life’s richest gifts aren’t material; they’re the ones that bring people together. 

Lisa attended UC Davis, and Michael went to UC Santa Barbara. They met in college while studying abroad in Spain—Lisa in Granada, Michael in Madrid—and their love story began amid centuries-old architecture, cobblestone streets, and the rhythms of flamenco and street music. When they returned to Spain years later with their children, they revisited those early memories by attending a flamenco performance in a tiny, ancient, and sweltering venue in Granada. The experience reminded them of how powerful live music can be—intimate, raw, and uniting.  

Their connection to the San Diego Symphony runs more deeply than attendance: It reflects who they are as people—curious, creative, and community-minded.  

“We didn’t grow up with classical music,” Michael says, “but we love how the Symphony blends contemporary and classical, through movie soundtracks, popular music, and creative programming. It’s innovative, and it reaches a broader audience.” 

That innovation is what first drew them in and what keeps them coming back. From the Noel Noel concerts to seeing Leslie Odom, Jr. perform last December at the newly renovated Jacobs Music Center, Lisa and Michael have found that every concert—especially the holiday concerts—feels like a celebration.  

“The Symphony isn’t stuck in old ways,” Michael adds. “It’s evolving, just like music itself.” 

This holiday season at the San Diego Symphony, they’ll be attending Home Alone in Concert at The Rady Shell at Jacobs Park™, a performance that perfectly combines their love for film, family, and live music.  

“It’s such a fun way to celebrate the holidays,” Lisa shares. “We love bringing friends and family along, it’s amazing to see people’s reactions when they experience The Rady Shell for the first time. There’s really nothing like it.” 

The couple’s relationship with the Symphony also reflects their belief in giving back to the community. As Summer Partners with the San Diego Symphony, Lisa and Michael are proud to support an organization that mirrors their values—creativity, education, and connection.  

“The Symphony’s innovative spirit inspires us,” Lisa says. “It makes us want to contribute to that same sense of growth and possibility, whether it’s through the arts, the environment, or education.” 

This season, Lisa and Michael will gather with their extended family and exchange gifts the old-fashioned way, by drawing names and focusing on the joy of giving thoughtfully. “For us, it’s really about quality time,” Lisa says. “We value experiences more than things, whether that’s a concert together, a family dinner, or a walk through town. Those are the memories that stay with you.”   

From the warmth of a record player in a childhood home, to a flamenco hall in Granada, to the open-air brilliance of The Rady Shell at Jacobs Park, their story is one of harmony—a reminder that the greatest gifts are the ones that bring us together.