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Donor Spotlight: Susan and Peter Mallory
Tuesday, June 18, 2024
Susan and Peter Mallory keep a busy schedule, splitting their time between San Diego and South New Jersey, yet they remain deeply engaged in their communities and passions. Susan, a native San Diegan and former financial services executive and commercial banker, now serves on the boards of several organizations, including the Rancho Coastal Humane Society, Jackie Robinson Family YMCA, and the San Diego Symphony Foundation, as well as two corporate boards. Peter, a lifelong competitive athlete, historian, educator, and former CPA, shares his passions for rowing and history with Susan’s love for animals and their mutual adoration for music.
Musician Spotlight: Nathan Walhout, Cello
Friday, June 7, 2024
Cellist Nathan Walhout joined the San Diego Symphony in 2020. Prior to starting with the Symphony, Mr. Walhout was pursuing his Master’s degree at Rice University studying with Brinton Smith. Mr. Walhout graduated in 2019 with his Bachelor’s degree from the University of Michigan studying with Richard Aaron. Before college Mr. Walhout studied at the Music Institute of Chicago Academy with the late Gilda Barston.
Interview with Gerard Mcburney, Creative Consultant for Die WalkÜre and The Firebird
Tuesday, May 14, 2024
Behind the scenes at the San Diego Symphony, there are many talented individuals, less visible, but nonetheless essential to the process of creating some of the most exciting and enthralling classical music programs. One of these individuals is Gerard McBurney who is creative consultant to the San Diego Symphony. Gerard is a renown composer, writer and director who has worked with some of the top music organizations in the world — Lincoln Center in New York City, Chicago Symphony Orchestra, and the Royal College of Music in London to name a few.
Civic Playlist
Tuesday, May 7, 2024
for Yo-Yo Ma
Musician Spotlight: Aaron McCalla
Wednesday, May 1, 2024
1. Tell us about your musical journey and how you came to play with the San Diego Symphony.
Sound & Silence: San Diego Symphony's Interactive Elementary School Program
Thursday, April 18, 2024
Last month, KPBS San Diego got a behind the scenes look at the San Diego Symphony's free elementary school program "Sound and Silence" at Sandburg Elementary School in Mira Mesa, part of the San Diego Unified School District. 200 students were treated to a live performance by a San Diego Symphony woodwind quintet and got to participate in a lively and engaging Q&A with the musicians. This year's program culminates on April 19th, when 5,000 students from across the county will attend an interactive performance with the San Diego Symphony at The Rady Shell at Jacobs Park.
Donor Spotlight: Dr. Robert "Bob" Rubenstein and Marie Raftery
Monday, April 15, 2024
Some people may not think of a dental office as a particularly romantic setting, between the root canals, fillings, and X-rays. For Dr. Robert “Bob” Rubenstein and Marie Raftery, it is where they began their relationship 38 years ago. “He was a patient in the dental office where I was working,” said Marie. “He had a nice sense of humor and beautifully dressed, so when he asked me out, I thought, ‘this could be interesting.’” Marie and Bob come from two very different worlds. She grew up in Boston attending the symphony and the ballet, while he grew up in New Mexico attending the rodeo and listening to country western and mariachi. But one thing they both share is their love of music. “If you think back to Henry David Thoreau, said Bob, “even though people may march to the beat of a different drum, they still all have a beat.”
Volunteer Spotlight: Suanne Pauley
Wednesday, April 10, 2024
April is National Volunteer Month. To celebrate, we are turning the spotlight on one of our many wonderful and hardworking volunteers, Suanne Pauley. Suanne has been ushering with the San Diego Symphony since 2014 and finds fulfillment in donating her time to causes that connect her with the outdoors and with people. The San Diego Symphony thanks all of our volunteers who generously donate their time to help us make music possible.
Musician Spotlight: Ai Nihira Awata, Violin
Thursday, March 14, 2024
Born in Tokyo, Japan, Ai started the violin at age four in Seattle, Washington, with Mihoko Hirata. Ai later moved to Los Angeles, California, where she studied with Margaret Shimizu, Richard Schwabe and Henry Gronnier at the Colburn School of Performing Arts. Originally starting as a long-term substitute accompanying the Symphony on their China Friendship Tour in 2013, Ai eventually won a permanent spot in 2018. Read more about Ai below: