What: The Dallas Symphony Orchestra League 34th Presentation Ball
Where: Morton H. Meyerson Symphony Center
The 411: The DSOL introduced 32 debutantes at the annual glittering ball on February 8. This year's event was helmed by chair Melissa Lewis, with Kim Brannon as DSOL president and Dr. Linda Burk and Dr. John Gilmore serving as honorary chairs.
“I was so honored to have guided these wonderful young women through the 2020 debutante season,” Brannon says. “Over the past nine months, our debutantes and their families enjoyed many wonderful events and made memories that will last a lifetime. They made new friends and had one of a kind experiences all while supporting the outstanding education and outreach programs of the Dallas Symphony Orchestra.”
The Presentation Ball has established traditions for many DSO families in the past 34 years, with several second- and third-generation families attending this year.
The 2020 debutantes were: Emily Baschab, Audrey Berner, Isabella Cox, Grace Crenshaw, Gracie Davis, Maddy Duvall, Maddie Esping, Eleanor Gambrell, Georgia Hallam, Hunter Hart, Kate Jones, Izzy Keene, Ellie King, Katie Kottwitz, Mary Kumpf, Avery Levoyer, Catherine Magee, Audrey Magnuson, Allie McWhorter, Shelby Nelson, Grace Olson, Annalea Pedigo, Beth Ryan, Kendell Sigel, Margaret Smith, Campbell Swango, Sara TaCito, Julia Tribolet, Savannah Troutt, Natalie Ward, Brynn Weakley, and Genny Wood.
Upon their presentation on stage, each deb showed off her best "Texas dip" in front of the appreciative crowd. After being escorted offstage by members of the Honor Guard, the young women celebrated with their families at an elegant dinner-dance in the Meyerson's lobby.
The ball is the largest fundraiser for the DSOL. More $11 million has been raised for the Dallas Symphony Orchestra through the annual event, which was created with the vision of longtime League member Tincy Miller, who chaired the first ball.
“The ball is all about family,” she says. “We are introducing people to the arts. We need the vibrancy of the next generation to come back (to Dallas) from college, raise their families and get involved in the arts.”
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 $20 million in support of the Dallas Symphony Association’s Community Outreach and Education programs, which help bring the Dallas Symphony Orchestra to thousands of young people and adults throughout Dallas.
Who: Generations of past ball participants and supporters, including James Hallam, Rebecca Hallam, Mari Epperson, Rene Edwards, Claire Catrino, Sarah Frazee, Laurie Lippincott, Amanda, Ryan, Brint Ryan, Spencer Hardin, Jane Gilmore, John Gilmore, Linda Gilmore, Mark Averitt, Susan Averitt Duvall, Don Averitt, Lisa Troutt, Kenny Troutt, Joe Brannon, Karen Cox, Kevin Cox, Connie Sigel, and Marc Sigel.
James Hallam, Georgia Hallam, Rebecca Hallam
Fly By Midnight.Photo by John Strange, Selig Polyscope Company
Carter Brown.Photo by Bryan Chatlien, Chatlien Photo
Landon Richie.Photo by Bryan Chatlien, Chatlien Photo
Liliana Villarreal, Kelley Robinson, Brandon Wolf, Dustin Vyers.Photo by Bryan Chatlien, Chatlien Photo
Cynt MarshallPhoto by John Strange, Selig Polyscope Company
Jason Lamoreaux and Black Tie Dinner beneficiaries.Photo by John Strange, Selig Polyscope Company