Stilian Kirov, Conductor
Anastasiya Poff, Piano

OPENING ACT LOBBY PERFORMERS
SYSO / Suburban Youth Symphony Orchestra
CONTACT: Mason Spencer, Executive Director
thesyso@gmail.com

This program is partially supported by a grant from the

Tonight’s performance is especially meaningful—it is not every day that a husband and wife share the stage.

Stilian Kirov and Anastasiya “Ana” Poff first met in New York through Ana’s brother, Alex. They crossed paths on several occasions, but it was after a concert—followed by a long dinner filled with conversation—that their story truly began. They have been together ever since.

They were married in New York on a stormy evening that turned into an unforgettable adventure, with many guests staying overnight. Unplanned, a little chaotic, and full of warmth, it became a perfect reflection of the spirit that continues to shape their lives.

Since then, life has carried them through New York, Memphis, and Seattle, where their son Sebastian was born. Today they live in Florida, where music remains at the center of family life—alongside busy schedules, rehearsals, sunshine, a dog, and three chickens who firmly believe they are in charge.

Performing together feels natural—an extension of a life built on shared music, partnership, and joy.

First Violin
Azusa Tashiro, Concertmaster
Lois and Stanley Birer
Elizabeth Huffman,
 Assistant Concertmaster
Ebedit Fonseca
Lilian Chou
Maria Arrua Gonzalez
Stephane Collopy
Pok Hei Hobart Shi
Brian Ostrega
Steve Winkler
Elizabeth Choi

Second Violin
Linda Veleckis,
Principal
Linda D. and Craig C. Grannon
Kamen Vatchev,
Assistant Principal
Anna Carlson
Caroline Slack
Matthew Weinberg
Munire Mona Mierxiati
Linda Lager
Samantha May

Viola
Rebecca Swan*,
Principal
Oana Tatu,
Acting Principal
Gerhard Haigis
Matthew Barwegen,
Acting Assistant Principal
Scott Gordon Dowd
Nick Munagian
Mara Gallagher
Jay Pike

Cello
Jacob Hanegan,
Principal
Brian and
Carolee Samuels
Emily Lewis Mantell,
Assistant Principal
Ingrid Krizan
Margaret Daly
Nazar Dzhuryn
Everardo Sanchez

BASS
Phillip W. Serna,
Acting Principal
Billie and Henry Hauser
Jason Neihoff,
Acting Assistant Principal
Lindsey Orcutt
James O'Toole

FLUTE
Cynthia Fudala,
Principal
Dr. Jerri E. Greer
Justina Chu

Oboe
Naomi Bensdorf Frisch,
Principal
Steve and Joey Buck
Christine Janzow Phillips

Clarinet
Claire Werling,
Acting Principal
Leonard Achtenberg and Steven Livesey
William Olsen

Bassoon
Matthew Hogan,
Acting Principal
Dr. Mel and 
Janet Muchnik
Randal Dennler

Horn
John Schreckengost,
Acting Principal
Barbara Sturges
Elizabeth Mazur-Johnson
Emma Sepmeier
Peter Jirousak

Trumpet
Jhoan García
Richard and Andrea Gibb
Greg Fudala

Trombone
Serdar Cizmeci,
Principal
Thomas Stark
Andrew Rózsa

Tuba
Sean Whitaker,
Principal
Dr. Michael Rogers

Timpani
Joseph LaPalomento,
Principal

PERCUSSION
Christian Hughes,
Acting Principal
Kathleen Field Orr

* indicates on leave

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