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    Pretty young things

    Dallas young professionals glam up for favorite autumn charity bash

    Stephanie Allmon Merry
    Nov 13, 2018 | 2:51 pm

    When shoes are kicked off in the first 20 minutes, it's the sign of a fun night ahead. So the strappy stilettos abandoned at the edge of the dance floor at 9:20 pm perfectly foreshadowed things to come at the 2018 Dallas Autumn Ball.

    Glamorous young professionals 650 strong dressed to impress — ladies in long, shimmery, cut-to-there gowns and men in black tie — and arrived at Hotel ZaZa on November 9 ready to party. And event co-chairs Madison McKay and Taylor Markey did not disappoint.

    Officially, Autumn Ball raises funds for Reading Partners of North Texas, which places community volunteers in low-income schools to help kids ages kindergarten through fourth grade master basic reading skills. Unofficially, it's the be-seen YP party of fall.

    Once guests got their IDs checked — it's strictly 21 and up — they posed for photos on the red carpet, nibbled passed apps, and fueled up at the top-shelf open bar. While many sipped bubbly from orange plastic Veuve Clicquot flutes, others opted for signature Patron margaritas, and some went straight for martinis.

    Those lucky enough to sport VIP wristbands mingled in an exclusive party lounge, where they filled their plates with mini burgers, fried chicken sliders, shoestring fries, and gruyere-garlic mac and cheese. But no one relaxed on the VIP couches for too long because the action was next door on the dance floor.

    Favorite party band Emerald City started playing when doors opened at 9 pm, and they didn't come up for air until 10:30. Like grown-ups at prom, the young adults danced and sang along to songs that were hits before many of them were born. Spice Girls' "Wannabe" got girlfriend groups moving, Chumbawamba's "Tubthumping" saw some twists and twirls, and House of Pain's "Jump Around" accomplished exactly that.

    Between songs, guests mugged for an interactive photo booth set up in front of a pretty white and gold balloon wall.

    When Emerald City took its final bow, the crowd hushed so Autumn Ball founder Adam Kraus could grab the microphone to announce that the event would be donating $30,000 to Reading Partners. Every $1,000 helps one child, he said.

    "For six years now, we have celebrated bringing young professionals [together] to raise money and awareness for a life-changing organization to impact kids right here in Dallas in a fun environment," he said. "It is a testament to our city that young people are carrying on that philanthropic mindset embedded here in Dallas."

    Without missing a beat, party planners handed out foam glow sticks to every guest, adding colorful movement to the ballroom. Headlining band Goldfish — an electronic duo from South Africa that has played festivals such as ACL and Bonnaroo — kept the dance floor grooving until the very last party-goers grabbed their gift bags and Ubered home.

    Founded in 2013, the annual Dallas Autumn Ball brings civic-minded young adults together in the name of giving back and celebrating charity in a festive, philanthropic environment. Since its inception, DAB has donated more than $150,000 to Dallas education organizations.

    Spotted having a great time this year were Aida Kurtanovic, Nejja Kurtanovic, Jenna Jenovich, Chelsea Groux, Amanda Paun, Sydney Betton, Monique Malooly, Nicki Tomlinson, Conrad Johnson, Akbar Dosani, Areebah Ajani, Jarrett Patton, Cassie Dickerson, Andrew Afifian, Donovan England, Maegan Houghton, Ed Devol, Sarah Baldwin, Camille Vandorpe, Arden Taylor, Bryan Casad, Jessica Schuermann, Cory Wiley, Marina Peterson, Daniela Gutierrez, Anderson Beene, Derek Brooks, Kaitlin Brashear, Vodi Cook, Andrew Welker, Nicole Marciano, Jill Berger, and Vincent Dvorian.

    Jerrett Patton, Cassie Dickerson, Andrew Afifian

    Jerrett Patton, Cassie Dickerson, Andrew Afifian
      
    Photo by WJNPHOTO
    Jerrett Patton, Cassie Dickerson, Andrew Afifian
    fundraisersgalasyoung-professionals
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    Meet the debs

    42 new Dallas Symphony debutantes begin 2026 Presentation Ball prep

    Stephanie Allmon Merry
    May 26, 2025 | 10:30 am
    DSOL Debutantes
    Photo by Gittings
    Meredith Burkhart, Ryan Brown, Margaret Thompson, Ellie Browne, Olivia Zambrano, Elena Zeballos

    The end of the schoolyear brought the beginning of the Dallas Symphony Orchestra League debutante year for 42 local young women.

    Just a few months after last year's DSOL debs "Texas dipped" into society (and raised big bucks for the symphony), the organization introduced a new class during Announcement Weekend festivities in Dallas. Their parties, philanthropy, and training will culminate with the 40th Presentation Ball on February 21, 2026 at the Morton H. Meyerson Symphony Center.

    The year will be one of special milestones for the DSOL. Not only will the League celebrate its 80th anniversary, the Presentation Ball will mark its 40th year, and the Dallas Symphony Orchestra will turn 125 years old.

    The mega-weekend began with the Announcement Party, emceed by Stan Gardner, on the evening of Thursday, May 15. Events continued with a Deb and Honor Guard Family dinner at a restaurant and couture gown presentations at local luxury department stores. (Per tradition, each deb will wear a white ballgown to her Presentation Ball.)

    The 2026 Presentation Ball is under the guidance of co-chairs Maggie Kipp and Kristin Hallam, along with DSOL President Claire Catrino. Hallam's in-laws, Fanchon and Howard Hallam, will serve as the honorary chairs. The Hallams are longtime passionate DSO patrons whose leadership gift was pivotal in launching the Kim Noltemy Young Musicians program – one of the initiatives supported by the Ball; they also have endowed the DSO Co-Concertmaster Chair.

    Catrino made her debut in 2011 and has been a part of the DSOL ball’s planning and organization ever since.

    “Our debutantes and their families will enjoy many wonderful events, make new friends and have one-of-a-kind experiences all while supporting the outstanding education and outreach programs of the Dallas Symphony Orchestra," she says with authority.

    2026 DSOL debutantesThe 2026 DSOL debutantes.Photo by Gittings

    Now, for the most important part. The 2026 debutantes are: Claire Francis Andrews, Madeline Grace Behrens, Claire Louise Bradshaw, Ryan EllaMarie Brown, Eleanor Baxter Browne, Meredith Lilly Burkhart, Catherine Sophia Cox, Larkin McKay Devening, Marbella Mora Duarte, Sophie Elizabeth Dybala, Kathryne Grace Eastin, Gisele MaryRose Enrico, Ashley Shannon Goldman, Stella Jane Grabham, MaKenna Loy Harvey, Elizabeth Ann Hautt, Jane Penny Hochman, Madeleine Christine Jenkins, Livia Grace Lange, Charlotte Bryant Lauten, Sue Sealy McGowin, Attales Grace Meyer, Elizabeth Catherine Nance, Madelyn Leigh Neuhoff, Carly Nicole Polka, Chloe Olivia Polka, Rachel Camille Rader, Sofia Marie Reyes, Marlo Elizabeth Rivas, Campbell Ann Schultz, Kathleen Brooks Searcy, Lindy Kate Smith, Sienna Alexis Stagen, Tessa Elizabeth Stephenson, Charlotte Spencer Stiles, Harper Catherine Tagg, Margaret Lee Thompson, Corinne Elizabeth Tinker, Georgia Bedell Williamson, Virginia Anne Wilson, Olivia Constance Zambrano, and Elena Catherine Zeballos.

    The Assembly, a group of former debutantes who assist the Symphony League by helping with event arrangements throughout the season, was represented by Emily Hea, Katie Kottwitz, Marena Gault (advisor) Isabella Cox, Danielle Ward, Kennedy Downing, and Catherine Hunt.

    Parents and notable attendees included The Hon. Clay and Ramsey Jenkins, David and Lee Thompson, Suzanne and Adam Stiles, Diane and Scott Sealy, Denton Bricker, longtime League member Barbara Paschall Averitt, Roger Gault (DSO Chairman of the Board of Governors) and Michelle Miller Burns (Ross Perot President and CEO of the DSO).

    DSOL Debutantes
      

    Photo by Gittings

    Meredith Burkhart, Ryan Brown, Margaret Thompson, Ellie Browne, Olivia Zambrano, Elena Zeballos

    The presentation of Dallas Symphony debutantes is a time-honored tradition for many of Dallas' most influential and philanthropic families. The debs are of college age and typically are graduates of Dallas-area high schools, but may be attending college out of the area.

    Participation is open to all young women. Much like a sorority, participants pay fees and participate in parties, fundraisers, classes, and other events throughout the year, all leading up to the Presentation Ball.

    The Presentation Ball, which was first held in 1987, is the largest fundraiser for the DSOL. Founded in 1946, the DSOL's mission is to support the Dallas Symphony Orchestra through service, education and fundraising activities. Since 1998, the League has contributed over $25 million in support of the Dallas Symphony Association’s Community Outreach and Education programs, which bring the symphony to thousands of young people and adults across greater Dallas.

    announcement weekenddallas symphony orchestrafundraisersgalaspartiespresentation ballsymphonysymphony debutantes balldebutantes
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