UMS 2021/22 Annual Report

2021/22 143rd Season 

AnnualReport

2 2021/22 Annual Report

LookingForward. 

First, we thank everyone for standing 

by us this past year, and we extend our 

deep gratitude for all of you who made 

this past season not simply possible, but 

also vibrant and meaningful. 

After the 2020/21 season, in which 

we presented no live, in-person 

performances, UMS returned to an 

appropriately scaled set of programming 

and events in the 2021/22 season. Just 

as the hybrid model defined workplaces 

around the world, our 2021/22 season 

presented both in-person and digital 

events, providing opportunities for 

audiences to experience artistry and 

connect with us at the level where they 

felt most comfortable. 

Presenting live events in an ongoing 

time of COVID created new operational 

challenges and financial pressures: 

security teams to assist ushers with 

checking vaccine status and ensuring 

that audiences wore masks; additional 

PPE costs for audiences, artists, and 

staff; and sourcing and purchasing many 

rapid tests to allow us to test artists 

before each performance. Of well over 

1,000 tests administered this season, 

only one came back positive, and that 

artist was able to be replaced with an 

understudy who had traveled with the 

company — a true success story! 

Throughout the season we were 

buoyed by the many letters, emails, 

and phone calls from audience 

members who were thrilled that the 

live arts were back. Many continued to 

appreciate our digital programs, while 

others had a newfound appreciation 

for being back together in person with 

their fellow audience members. 

As an organization, we believed we 

should embrace this moment to reflect 

and to begin our work imagining the 

future of UMS: not merely a future 

without a global pandemic, but how we 

envision our organization — what we 

do, why and how we do it, and to what 

effect — as we approach 2029, which 

will be our 150th season. Throughout 

the past year, a group of committed staff 

members worked with our full staff and 

board to develop a new and compelling 

vision for the future, one that will 

provide inspiration and guideposts to us 

throughout the next few years. More to 

come about this work and its implications 

for our future! 

Here at UMS, we all understand just how 

fortunate we are to be able to do this 

work, and to do it for, and in partnership 

with, audiences across our region and 

beyond. We hope you find this annual 

report helpful in understanding how 

we approached this crucial time, how 

committed we are to the traditions of 

UMS, and how we are evolving to meet 

the moment. 

Sincerely, 

Matthew VanBesien 

President, UMS 

LookingForward 

3

About UMS 

Our Mission 

To inspire 

individuals and 

enrich communities 

by connecting 

audiences and 

artists in uncommon 

and engaging 

experiences. 


Our Values 

Inclusiveness and 

Accessibility 

We seek the broadest possible participation 

in accomplishing our mission involving 

artists, audiences, and ourselves, celebrating 

different cultures, perspectives, and 

experiences. 

Respect and 

Transparency 

We treat every individual with courtesy and 

genuine concern; we celebrate contributions 

from different cultures and seek mutual 

understanding; we are straightforward, open, 

and honest in all of our professional and 

personal interactions with others. 

Innovation and 

Tradition 

We value the importance of nurturing, 

investing in and presenting new artistic work 

and ideas, understanding that not all attempts 

will be successful; at the same time, we 

celebrate and present the cultural and artistic 

legacy of the best traditional works of art. 

Participation and 

Collaboration 

We seek the active involvement of those 

who share our love of the arts, and we 

strive to establish partnerships with artists, 

individuals, groups, and organizations that 

will help us foster our mission. 

Leadership and 

Stewardship 

We expect to achieve sustained excellence 

in all aspects of our organization. We are 

a model for peers to emulate, and we, in 

turn, seek to learn and incorporate the best 

practices of each of them. We value those 

who contribute their time and resources and 

will manage UMS to provide a healthy and 

robust organization for all who follow. 

Commitment to 

Being an 

Anti-Racist 

Organization 

We are committed not just to “not being 

racist,” but to being actively Anti-Racist. We 

recognize our privilege as a respected arts 

presenter with a broad platform and will use 

our resources to champion the power of art 

to tell important stories about the breadth 

of the human experience, providing further 

opportunities for public discourse around 

socially-engaged artistic work. We will 

deepen our diversity, equity, and inclusion 

work internally and externally, moving beyond 

representation into meaningful action and 

advocacy. 


5

Programming 

After a full season with no live 

performances, 2021/22 returned 

with a partial season that opened 

with a recital by the extraordinary 

tenor Jonas Kaufmann, who made 

his UMS debut on October 12, 

2021, in our first live performance 

since March 2020. Of particular 

note for UMS history buffs was 

that back in October 1918, UMS 

had gone to extraordinary lengths 

to schedule the great tenor 

Enrico Caruso for a Hill Auditorium 

concert — a performance that was 

postponed to March 1919 because 

of the Spanish flu epidemic. 

Caruso’s rescheduled concert — 

much like Kaufmann’s — was an 

important cultural event in Ann 

Arbor. Kaufmann also enjoyed the 

parallel with Caruso a century later. 


With proof of vaccination and 

masks required, audiences 

were thrilled to be back in Hill 

Auditorium: 

On the one hand, [it 

was] quite normal, 

on the other, very 

special.” 

Being back at a 

live concert ranks 

as one of the 

most important 

milestones in our 

recovery from 

Covid.” 

I can’t describe 

the joy of it all! My 

whole family could 

not believe we were 

finally coming out of 

COVID to hear our 

favorite performer, 

Jonas Kaufmann. 

We can’t imagine 

ever having an 

experience like this 

again — coming 

out of a cultural 

lockdown into this 

spectacular cultural 

experience.” 


7

Programming 

Co-Commissions 

The 2021/22 season 

featured a number of 

works that UMS had a 

hand in creating. Every 

year, we work with the 

Music Accord consortium 

and with other presenters 

to provide financial 

support to artists who are 

developing new works. 

November featured a digital concert by the Spektral 

Quartet (below), performing Tarek Yamani’s new 

composition for string quartet entitled Berytus. The work 

was developed through UMS’s 2020/21 Digital Artist 

Residency program and was the first composition jazz 

artist Tarek Yamani had ever composed for string quartet. 

This world première event, which was co-commissioned 

with the Abu Dhabi Festival 2021, was filmed in Chicago 

and broadcast to over 4,000 viewers around the world. 


January brought a new UMS cocommission 

by choreographer 

Kyle Abraham and EDM artist Jlin, a 

production of Requiem: Fire in the Air 

of the Earth (left). This reimagining 

of Mozart’s Requiem explored one of 

the most canonical works of Western 

classical music from an explicitly 

Black perspective in an electronic 

opus that memorialized ritual, 

mourning, and rebirth. 

Also, in January, the Imani Winds 

and Catalyst Quartet joined forces 

for a performance of Sergeant 

McCauley, co-commissioned by UMS 

from Jessie Montgomery, who now 

serves as the Chicago Symphony 

Orchestra’s composer-in-residence. 

Finally, in April, Joyce DiDonato 

presented her new project, EDEN 

(below). Developed during the 

pandemic with support from UMS’s 

Digital Artist Residency program, 

EDEN explored the majesty, 

might, and mystery of nature in a 

groundbreaking and theatricalized 

recital program that included a 

guest appearance by the Ann Arbor 

Youth Chorale. 

In December, the Takács Quartet 

and baneoneón virtuoso Julien 

Labro presented three world 

premières by Clarice Assad, Bryce 

Dessner, and Labro himself. All 

three, including two that were 

co-commissioned by UMS, were 

recorded for our UMS Live Sessions 

series. 


9

Programming 

Fiddler on the Roof 

Perhaps the most ambitious project for the season 

was Fiddler on the Roof, featuring students from U-M’s 

celebrated musical theater program, professional 

Broadway performers, and the Grand Rapids Symphony. 

UMS brought together a creative team — music 

director Andy Einhorn, stage director Sarna Lapine, and 

choreographer Alison Solomon — to put together the 

semi-staged production, which featured John Williams’s 

Academy Award-winning orchestrations performed live for 

the first time in a transformed Hill Auditorium. 

Presented in partnership with The Philadelphia Orchestra, 

which presented the same cast and production on their 

subscription series two weeks after its Ann Arbor debut, 

the production gave students a unique opportunity to 

work with Broadway professionals, as outlined by Ella 

Olesen, who performed the role of Tzeitel, in a blog post 

relating her experience. 

The entire production and its related 

programs were made possible by many 

program partners who worked with UMS to 

provide contextual background opportunities, 

including virtual discussions about the 

historical and geopolitical context of Fiddler 

on the Roof, as well as a collection of Polish 

poster art spanning four decades. These 

activities were developed in partnership with 

The Copernicus Center for Polish Studies; 

the Center for Russian, East European, and 

Eurasian Studies; the Frankel Center for 

Judaic Studies; and the U-M Center for 

European Studies. 


And the entire production — including 

both the Ann Arbor and Philadelphia 

performances — simply could not have 

happened without the support of so 

many wonderful funders and donors: 

Lead Presenting Sponsors 

Menakka and Essel Bailey 

Ken and Noreen Buckfire 

Patti Askwith Kenner 

The Lester Family 

Presenting Sponsors 

Elaine and Peter Schweitzer 

Don and Judy Rumelhart 

Supporting Sponsors 

Herbert S. and Carol L. Amster 

Endowment Fund 

Tim and Sally Petersen 

Prudence and Amnon Rosenthal 

Endowment Fund 

Additional support from 

UMS Sustaining Directors 

Oscar Feldman Endowment 

Ilene H. Forsyth Theater Endowment 

Fund 

Detroit Public Television also previewed the event on its “Detroit 

Performs” program. 

Testing, Testing… 

In addition to audiences, UMS artists were 

also required to show proof of vaccination 

or a negative COVID test and wear masks 

except when performing. Over the course 

of the 21/22 season, UMS provided 

approximately 1,800 rapid tests, of which 

only one came back positive. 

That included 900 tests for the Fiddler 

on the Roof cast, musicians, and crew, 

who were all tested three times per 

week during the entire rehearsal and 

performance period in both Ann Arbor and 

Philadelphia. 

LookingForward 11

Programming 

Focus on Arts from the 

Arab World and Its Diaspora 

In addition to the digital commission by Tarek 

Yamani, the 2021/22 season included three 

concerts focused on artists from the Arab World and 

Its Diaspora. 

In February, Lebanese artist Ali Chahrour brought 

Layl (Night) to the Power Center for a single 

performance. March brought the long-awaited live 

debut of the National Arab Orchestra with Abeer 

Nehme to Hill Auditorium. In April, UMS moved east 

to Detroit, at a new performance and gallery space 

called Spot Lite. UMS worked with its Arab Advisory 

Group to plan this unique program, which featured 

local artists Tawil and Khoury with their new work 

Zombie Frequencies of the Palestinian Diaspora, 

followed by a second half with Morocco’s Kabaret 

Cheikhats in a tribute to Morocco’s famous female 

traditional folk singers. 


In addition to these in-person performances, UMS 

continued its ongoing collaboration with the Arab 

American National Museum for a streamed festival JAM3A, 

held over four days in September and featuring numerous 

Arab artists from around the world. 

LookingForward 13

Learning & 

Engagement 


The expansion of our popular You Can 

Dance–Outside! program to Ypsilanti 

marked one of the first events of 

the 2021/22 season. From August to 

October, regional dance artists led free 

outdoor workshops in Ypsilanti and 

Ann Arbor, ranging from jazz hip-hop 

fusion to West African dance. 

You Can Dance—Outside! was funded in part by 

UMS in the 

community 

We also announced 

transdisciplinary, Flint-based 

artist Ash Arder as our Flint 

Artist-in-Residence. Arder’s 

residence on the University of 

Michigan Flint campus included 

two public events: rock garden, 

a work-in-progress that will be 

part of their large-scale sculpture 

project Whoop House, and Solar 

Juke, a Detroit garden party 

and collaborative performance 

exploring environmental themes 

within African diasporan music. 

Ash Arder will continue as the 

UMS Flint Artist-in-Residence in 

the 2022/23 season. 

LookingForward 15

Programs // Learning & Engagement 

Parable Path 

A2YPSI 

In conjunction with UMS’s 

presentation of Toshi Reagon’s 

Parable of the Sower, UMS worked 

with many local and university 

partners to develop Parable Path 

A2YPSI, a series of events that 

connected community members to 

one another by exploring themes 

from Octavia Butler’s novel. Parable 

Path A2YPSI included: 


“Let’s Talk About Earthseed,” a community read with virtual book discussions facilitated by 

Truly Render (Booksweet), Dr. Tony Pressley-Sanon (Eastern Michigan University), and Paula 

Drummon (Ypsilanti District Library) 

An Art & Afrofuturism Virtual Panel 

featuring scholars and authors 

Naomi Andre, Tananarive Due, John 

Jennings, and Susan Morris, and 

moderated by Christopher Audain. 

Activities for high school students 

included an extended theater 

residency with the AP English class 

at Detroit School of Arts (DSA) and 

a workshop for the Pioneer High 

School (Ann Arbor) Book Club. 

Students from DSA, Thurston High 

School, and Marygrove all attended 

the public performances of Parable 

of the Sower. 

This event was presented in partnership with the 

U-M Institute for the Humanities and the U-M Arts 

Initiative. 

The Infinite Detail of This Place & Time, a unique event at the Ypsi Freighthouse, where audience members 

foraged and collected items from the area, which were then turned into assemblages that were projected 

as a visual score for the musical group Virago to interpret sonically. This event was presented in partnership 

with the A.W.E. (Area Wilds Exploration) Society. 

LookingForward 17


The U-M Institute for the Humanities’ “Octavia Butler Week,” 

which included activities for both undergraduates and community 

members alike: a scavenger hunt; a panel discussion with U-M 

faculty from Afroamerican and African Studies, English, and the 

School of Education; and a “Parable Paint Night” where attendees 

created art centered around themes of Afrofuturism, climate 

activism, and science fiction. 

A Michigan Engineering Common Read of Parable of the Sower, 

which included a book discussion for Engineering students, 

faculty, and staff. 

Activities for high school students included an extended theater 

residency with the AP English class at Detroit School of Arts (DSA) 

and a workshop for the Pioneer High School (Ann Arbor) Book 

Club. Students from DSA, Thurston High School, and Marygrove all 

attended the public performances of Parable of the Sower. 


By the 

Numbers 

23 

events associated with the production of 

Parable of the Sower 

A Parable Party and Open Mic at NOW Studios 

All of these activities were presented in addition 

to the three public performances of Parable 

of the Sower in the Power Center. We are 

extraordinarily grateful to the following sponsors 

who made both the performances and Parable 

Path A2YPSI possible: 

Lead Presenting Sponsors 

UMS Board Co-Chair Lisa D. Cook and UMS Board Co-Chair 

Rachel Bendit and Mark Bernstein 

Presenting Sponsor 

Funded in part by 

National Endowment for the Arts 

976 

total attendance for Parable Path A2YPSI 

& related event (excluding performances) 

336 

students registered for Michigan 

Engineering’s Black History Month 

Community Read of Parable of the Sower 

2,961 

total performance attendance 

19 

U-M class groups attending performances 

700 

students attending through class groups 

3high school class groups attending 

performances 

LookingForward 19


Partnerships 

Every year, UMS works with 

dozens of partners to extend the 

impact of the performing arts, 

not all of which are visible to the 

public. In addition to the many 

partners already cited above, 

the 2021/22 season featured 

numerous other connections 

to both arts organizations and 

community groups in our region. 


Arab American National Museum 

UMS provided financial and 

promotional support for JAM3A, 

a free, four-day virtual music and 

arts festival celebrating Arab 

talent, community, and identity. 

Corner Health and the CDC 

Foundation 

The Corner Health Center in 

Ypsilanti and UMS received a 

grant from the CDC Foundation 

to use the arts for a series of 

monthly workshops to build 

vaccine confidence for youth. 

Using improvisational theater, 

hip hop, spoken word, and dance 

as a means of self-expression, 

communication, and self-care, 

these activities were designed 

to offer different ways for youth 

to connect, communicate, and 

create. 

Michigan Opera Theatre / Detroit 

Opera 

UMS co-presented BLISS, a 12- 

hour production that repeated 

three sublime minutes of The 

Marriage of Figaro with the same 

cast and orchestra in a durational 

performance at the Historic 

Michigan Building Theater in 

Detroit. 

LookingForward 21


Ann Arbor Youth Chorale 

Members of the Ann Arbor Youth Chorale 

joined Joyce DiDonato for the final scene of 

EDEN in April, part of DiDonato’s initiative to 

build a youth choir in every city where she 

toured the project. The AAYC worked with a 

teaching artist who helped them use their 

voices and creative projects to gain a deeper 

understanding of nature and their direct 

impact within the world. DiDonato was so 

taken with the group’s performance that she 

invited them to perform with her in Chicago 

as well. 

22 2021/22 Annual Report

Masterclasses & Other Class Visits 

Throughout each season, UMS partners with many 

individuals and units of the University of Michigan. A 

prominent partner is the U-M School of Music, Theatre 

& Dance, with whom UMS collaborated to bring 13 

coachings with Philadelphia Orchestra musicians, as well 

as masterclasses with the Imani Winds, Ali Chahrour, and 

the soloists from Handel’s Messiah; a clowning workshop 

with the creator of HOME; and class visits with the 

Catalyst Quartet, Caleb Teicher, the Jazz at Lincoln Center 

Orchestra, and Wendell Pierce. 

LookingForward 23


K-12 Activities 

Although many school districts 

would not allow field trips 

during the 2021/22 season due 

to COVID considerations, UMS 

was still able to serve the K-12 

community through a variety of 

means. 


School Day Performances 

In Person & Digital. In addition to 

offering digital-only School Day 

Performances of Mariachi Vargas 

de Tecalitlán and Acrobuffos, UMS 

was able to offer both in-person 

and digital performances by the 

Imani Winds and Ballet Folklórico 

de México, as well as virtual School 

Day Performance+ workshops for 

Ballet Folklórico de México. The 

Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra 

launched our in-person School Day 

Performance series with their “Big 

Band Holidays” program. 

One teacher from Trenton, MI, who brought her 

students to the Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra 

performance wrote, 

“I want to thank [UMS] for 

scheduling the Jazz at Lincoln 

Center Orchestra and putting 

together such a delightful 

event. This was a life changing 

experience for a lot of my students. 

Many have not had an opportunity 

to see live performers in an 

auditorium setting. Thank you for 

all that you do.” 

LookingForward 25


Performance Playground 

We continued to build out our 

digital resources for schools 

and families featuring regional 

artist facilitators. New videos and 

accompanying materials focused 

on West African dance, theater, 

Stepping, bassoon, and Jingle 

Dress dancing. 

Caleb Teicher Family 

Performance 

A swing dance performance 

presented for families culminated 

in many kids on stage dancing 

with family members and the 

professional dancers of Teicher’s 

company. 


THANKS TO THE MANY 

FUNDERS WHO MADE OUR K-12 

PROGRAMS POSSIBLE: 

DTE Energy Foundation Educator of the Year Award 

King Elementary and A2V+ Virtual Academy’s Laura Wayne 

was honored with the 2021 DTE Energy Foundation 

Educator of the Year Award. The award recognizes and 

celebrates educators who value the importance of arts 

education and create a culture for the arts to flourish in 

their school communities. 

Among other inspirational projects, Ms. Wayne 

collaborated with the music teacher at STEAM/Northside 

to have students create a “Musicscape” in the school 

garden. Using clay and a variety of design techniques, Ms. 

Wayne helped students create mobiles that were hung in 

and around the garden. The beautiful sounds were heard 

by everyone in the school and neighborhood and inspired 

Carpenter Elementary administrators to replicate the 

project at their school. 

“I trust what my students can do. There are no mistakes, 

only learning,” she said. 

This award program is made possible with support from: 

David and Kiana Barfield Family 

Foundation 

Elaine A. Bennett 

David and Jo-Anna Featherman 

Stephen and Rosamund Forrest 

David and Phyllis Herzig Endowment 

Fund 

Prudence and Amnon Rosenthal K-12 

Education Endowment Fund 

Richard and Norma Sarns 

LookingForward 27

Programs // Digital 


The success of our 

all-digital programming 

year in the 2020/21 

season led us to 

continue to develop 

new programs in 

2021/22 that would 

allow us to reach 

audiences near and far. 

UMS Live 

Sessions 

Our UMS Live Session series 

featured bespoke, shorter 

concerts from artists on our 

mainstage series, filmed without 

audiences to provide unique 

camera angles for an at-home 

experience. Live Sessions with 

EDM artist Jlin, tenor Nicholas 

Phan, the Takács Quartet and 

Julien Labro, the Imani Winds 

and Catalyst Quartet, local DJ 

Tammy Lakkis, and songwriter 

Elvis Perkins (who performed 

the live music in HOME) reached 

over 11,000 viewers across the 

country, many of whom first 

discovered UMS during our digital 

pandemic programming. Each 

Live Session aired for a month at 

no charge to viewers. 

11,000 

viewers across the country 

LookingForward 29

Programs // Digital 

UMS Connect 

With at-home video technology now 

ubiquitous, our Learning & Engagement 

team developed a new series, UMS Connect. 

Through these in-depth interviews with 

artists on our mainstage series, we were 

able to provide deeper insight and context 

into performances with the Takács Quartet 

and Julien Labro, Kyle Abraham and Jlin, 

Ali Chahrour, Joshua Redman (with his 

Moodswing Reunion project), and Geoff 

Sobelle and the creative team behind HOME. 

Over 1,400 people watched these episodes, 

which in many cases took the place of preperformance 

talks. 


Digital (and In-Person!) 

School Day 

Performances 

An estimated 26,000 students across 

Michigan experienced our School Day 

Performances through in-person or virtual 

attendance. Two of three live performances 

were streamed and available on demand, 

and the series expanded to include two 

digital-only performances, which served to 

greatly broaden access to our K-12 offerings. 

Whether attending in-person or watching on 

demand, all classrooms had access to a free 

learning guide with even more opportunities 

to connect with the genre and the artists. 

Digital Artist 

Residencies 

And as we wrapped up our Digital Artist 

Residencies, we aired the video documentary 

The Making of “The Four Journeys,” which 

traced the development and creation of a 

new work for Cleo Parker Robinson Dance, 

which was supposed to have been presented 

live and in-person during the 2020/21 

season. That event, combined with the 

Tarek Yamani / Spektral Quartet premiere 

and the development of a new website for 

performance artist Brian Lobel focused on 24 

Italian Songs, reached another 10,000 viewers 

during the course of the season. 

LookingForward 31

Donor Impact 

Donor 

Impact 

UMS Donors at a pre-concert reception before the season opened 


Forever Fund 

In addition to annual support, many donors 

choose to leave a legacy to UMS through a 

planned gift. Whether large or small, such gifts 

allow us to continue to provide programs that 

reach deep into our community. Planned gifts can 

be used to support ongoing operations or as an 

endowment to honor a loved one in perpetuity. 

Bob and Darragh 

Weisman 

Sally Cushing 

Bob and Darragh Weisman met at Michigan 

in 1957, when he was a junior and she was a 

sophomore. When she passed away in 2021, he 

was inspired to establish an endowment to both 

honor Darragh and to provide a “forever gift” to an 

organization that has meant so much to them. 

Longtime UMS attendees will certainly remember 

Sally Cushing, who worked at UMS from 1969- 

2010. Before Sally passed away in September 

2021, she named UMS as the beneficiary of her life 

insurance policy, further reinforcing her incredible 

commitment to the organization full circle. 

The stories behind those who leave bequests 

or planned gifts to UMS are always incredibly 

moving, from a choir director who attended for 

over 30 years to an automobile repair facility 

manager in California who last attended in the 

early 1970s. We are grateful to all who have 

recognized UMS’s impact in their lives by 

choosing to leave a planned gift. 

For more information on how you can leave 

a legacy that supports UMS forever, contact 

Marnie Reid at 734-647-1178. 

LookingForward 33

Donor Impact 

Tiffany Ford 

The University of Michigan Credit Union and its president Tiffany Ford 

were recognized by Americans for the Arts in Fall 2021 with its Arts + 

Business Partnership Award. Each year, AFTA recognizes businesses 

of all sizes from around the country for exceptional innovative and 

sustained collaborations with the arts. In 2016, the U-M Credit Union 

created a $1.5 million endowment to create the University of Michigan 

Credit Union Arts Adventures Program, which provides support to 

both UMS and the U-M Museum of Art to create arts experiences and 

learning opportunities for students and families. 

Matthew VanBesien, sponsor Matt Lester, 

sponsor Patti Kenner (who also underwrites 

the Bert’s Ticket program), and Philadelphia 

Orchestra CEO Matías Tarnopolsky before 

the Fiddler on the Roof performances in 

Philadelphia 

Matthew VanBesien with Peter and Elaine 

Schweitzer, who sponsored Fiddler on the 

Roof in Concert, A Moodswing Reunion, and 

Caleb Teicher SW!NG OUT, sponsored in 

memory of Frank Legacki 


Abe Jarjoura, Versell Smith, Therese Basha Jarjoura, Manal Saab, and Ghassan Saab at 

UMS’s season-opening celebration 

Elaine A. 

Bennett and 

Anthony Reffells 

with UMS staff 

members 

Ryan Davis and 

Will Smith 

LookingForward 35

Student Impact 

Student 

Impact 

When many people think of UMS’s impact on students, 

they often think about performance attendance or masterclasses. 

But UMS’s impact extends beyond those experiences in numerous other ways. 

UMS Student Employees 

Virtually every UMS department, and our Patron Services 

Office in particular, employs students to assist with 

internal operations, and we typically hire 20-30 students 

to work with us each year. 

In the 2021/22 season, we celebrated one student 

employee who graduated after spending all four years 

of her undergraduate experience — including a year of 

remote work during the pandemic — working with UMS. 

Kristin Hanson, who grew up in Croswell, MI, graduated 

from the U-M School of Music, Theatre & Dance with a 

BFA in Dance and minors in History of Art and Performing 

Arts Management and Entrepreneurship. For four years, 

she worked with our Learning and Engagement (formerly 

Education & Community Engagement) team, assisting on 

a wide variety of projects. Kristin served as the student 

speaker for the SMTD commencement and is now working 

in Engagement and Outreach for SMTD as well as with the 

University’s Medical Arts initiative. 


Athletics and Arts Have a Lot in Common 

One highlight of the season was Wynton 

Marsalis meeting with a group of student 

athletes for a conversation about 

commonalities between performing 

artists and high-level athletes. Swim 

coach Mike Bottom wrote to UMS after 

the event, saying “In our time with Wynton, 

we were able to reaffirm the understanding 

the moving in excellence is hard work, and 

that there is no substitute for practice. His 

deep understanding of life echoed a truth 

that there is a melody of goodness that 

plays alongside those who aspire and act 

to reach their human potential.” 

Student Attendance 

During the 2021/22 season, students 

comprised at least 20.3% of our total 

audiences at events, saving nearly $250,000 

on tickets. Student tickets are only $12 or 

$20 depending on seat location, and we’re 

grateful to the following sponsors who help 

underwrite the cost of student tickets: 

Stephen and Rosamund Forrest Student Ticket Endowment Fund 

Wallis C. Klein Endowment Fund 

In addition, nearly 1,000 undergraduate 

students attended a UMS event at no cost 

through the expansion of the Bert’s Ticket 

program. The program was created in the 

2013/14 season and named for Bert Askwith 

(1911-2015), who graduated from LSA in 1931 

and promised every first-year student a free 

ticket to a UMS performance. During the 

2021/22 season, we expanded the program 

to include all undergraduate students. We 

are grateful to Patti Askwith Kenner for her 

support of the Bert’s Ticket program. 

LookingForward 37

People 

People 

New Staff Members at UMS 

We welcomed several new staff members during 2021/22: 

Justine Sedky joined as our 

Development Administrative 

Assistant after spending over three 

years in our Patron Services Office 

as a ticketing assistant. Justine 

received her Master’s degree in 

Flute Performance from U-M. She 

works with our development team in 

many facets, including overseeing 

donor events. 

Nina Renella started as UMS’s 

Front of House Assistant Manager, 

overseeing our volunteer usher 

corps for all performances. 

Nina graduated from U-M with 

a Bachelor’s degree in Clarinet 

Performance and a minor in 

Performing Arts Management and 

also worked in our Patron Services 

Office for several years. 


Scott Baker joined UMS as our 

Business Systems Analyst in 

November, supporting the Tessitura 

CRM and its many operational 

components. He came to UMS 

after positions at the United Way of 

Washtenaw County, Michigan Radio, 

and the University of Michigan’s 

IT department. He received a 

Bachelor’s degree in Business 

Administration from Eastern 

Michigan University. 

Salina Naranjo became UMS’s 

Senior Accountant in Fall 2021 

after working in accounting for 

various organizations in the New 

York area. She grew up in Texas, 

where she completed a Bachelor’s 

degree in Accounting and Business/ 

Management at the University of 

Texas San Antonio. 

Additionally, two staff members — 

Alexandria Davis and Anné Renforth — were 

elected by their peers to serve on the UMS 

leadership group. This initiative grew out of efforts 

to increase transparency about UMS operations at 

the staff level, an outgrowth of the internal work 

that UMS started during the 2020/21 season as 

part of our focus on becoming a more inclusive, 

anti-racist organization. 

LookingForward 39

People 

Board Updates 

Board Co-Chair Lisa Cook resigned her position at the end of the 2021/22 season, when she 

became a member of the Federal Reserve Board of Governors. Lisa wrote, “It has been an honor 

and a pleasure to work with the capable, hardworking, and passionate board members, staff, 

and community of the University Musical Society. As a result [of being confirmed as a Governor 

on the Federal Reserve Board], I was asked to step down from all boards. As I step down, I wish 

you, fellow board members, and the staff all the best in continuing to be good stewards of this 

extraordinary organization and to uphold its worthy and evolving mission. I look forward to 

observing UMS’s progress!” 

Lisa joined the UMS Board in 2014 and served as chair of the Finance Committee before 

becoming co-chair with Rachel Bendit. We are grateful to her for her many years of service and 

support of UMS and wish her all the best in Washington D.C. 


At its annual meeting in June 2022, 

the UMS Board elected two new 

members: Neil C. Hawkins, president 

of the Fred A. and Barbara M. Erb 

Family Foundation, and Louise Taylor, 

now retired after 35 years as a career 

diplomat in the U.S. Foreign Service 

focused on cultural affairs. 

Board Officers were all re-elected 

for the 2022/23 season: Rachel 

Bendit (chair), Brian Willen (vice 

chair), Rob VanRenterghem 

(treasurer), and Christina Kim 

(secretary). 

At the same meeting, we bid farewell to Stephen Henderson, Linh Song, and Vic Strecher, who 

all completed two terms on the Board, as well as outgoing Ambassadors Chair Michael Lee. 

Mary Campbell and Susan Alcock also stepped down from the board, as did ex-officio member 

and University of Michigan Provost Susan Collins. We thank them all for their service. 

LookingForward 41

Shaping the Future 

During the 2021/22 season, staff and board at UMS worked with ZingTrain in a visioning 

process to help us imagine where we would like to be as an organization in 2029, when we 

celebrate our 150th season. Throughout the year, a writing team took the big ideas from the 

staff and worked with the board in developing a living document that will serve as a guidepost 

as we push ourselves to be even more responsive to the issues of our time and the needs of 

our audiences. While not a radical departure, we recognize that we must continue to build 

and to reach higher, while also acknowledging where we have not realized our potential as a 

cultural resource and partner for our entire community. 

The guiding principles of this new vision are: 

Creativity and Responsiveness 

Belonging and Respect 

Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, Justice, 

and Anti-Racist Work 

Our continuing commitment to Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Justice is paramount as UMS 

evolves. Through this vision, we continue our focus on programming and audiences served, 

while looking to expand and diversify our audiences, deepen our relationship with the 

University of Michigan and enrich campus experiences, champion our region and partners, and 

continue to tell our story, all while taking care of the needs of our staff, valuing our volunteers, 

supporting a financially strong and nimble organization, and committing to continued growth 

and evolution. 

We are so excited about our future — and we know that you will be too. 


I just wanted to write to say what a wonderful staff you have 

manning the phones at the UMS box office. Over the course 

of the last year, I have had to make numerous changes to my 

subscription tickets because of Covid-19 hesitancy or for other 

reasons. At all times, the person I have spoken with has been 

extremely helpful, and also could not have been nicer. I realize that 

my requests could be multiplied by 100s, and this has probably 

been a very trying year for all of you, but there has never been a 

sense of that in dealing with your staff.” 

Email from Jim Keller and Mary Ellen Hoy 

Philadelphia Orchestra music 

director Yannick Nézet-Séguin 

closed his concert with U-M alumna 

and principal tuba player Carol 

Jantsch performing “The Victors.” 

Earlier in the concert, Jantsch 

performed Wynton Marsalis’s tuba 

concerto, which had its world 

premiere just a few months earlier. 

Joyce DiDonato at a reception after 

EDEN, where she talked about her 

goal of creating children’s choirs in 

every city where she is performing 

the work. 

LookingForward 43

UMS Supporters 

UMS 

Supporters 

Thank you to our 

community of 

donors who made 

generous gifts to 

UMS over the past 

year July 1, 2021 – 

August 1, 2022. 

These gifts were given in 

support of the UMS Annual Fund, 

UMS Forward Fund, UMS Student 

Experiences, and other special 

initiatives. 

Every gift is important to UMS. 

Due to space constraints, we 

have recognized supporters of 

$250 and above in the following 

listing. An entire list of UMS 

supporters can be found at 

ums.org/support. We apologize 

in advance for any omissions 

or errors. Please contact us 

at umsgiving@umich.edu or 

734.647.1175 with corrections. 


Anonymous 

Dr. Diane Agresta 

Debra Aidun 

Roger Albin and Nili Tannenbaum 

John Alexander and Carolyn King 

All Seasons Senior Living 

Michael Allemang and Janis Bobrin 

Richard and Mona Alonzo 

Christine W. Alvey 

Helen and David Aminoff 

Carol Amster 

Barbara A. Anderson 

Neil P. Anderson 

Catherine M. Andrea 

Dave and Katie Andrea 

Carmen and Chris Andrianopoulos 

Paul M. Angell Family Foundation 

Ann Arbor Area Community Foundation 

Elaine and Ralph Anthony 

Harlene and Henry Appelman 

Gaard and Ellen Arneson 

Bob and Martha Ause 

John and Lillian Back 

Stuart Baggaley and Amy Seetoo 

Menakka and Essel Bailey 

Laurence R. and Barbara K. Baker 

Lisa and Jim Baker 

Reg and Pat Baker 

Lynn Baldwin and Tim McIntyre 

Christopher and Lesli Ballard 

Emily W. Bandera, M.D. 

Bank of Ann Arbor 

Karen Bantel and Steve Geiringer 

John and Ginny Bareham 

David and Monika Barera 

David and Kiana Barfield 

Richard M. Barron 

Liz Barry and William A. Hathaway 

Robert and Wanda Bartlett 

Lois and David Baru 

Frank and Lindsay Tyas Bateman 

Lydia Bates 

Rajeev Batra and Priscilla A Spencer 

Anne Beaubien 

Gorman and Andrea Beauchamp 

Astrid B. Beck 

Christina Bellows and Joe Alberts 

Rachel Bendit and Mark Bernstein 

Elaine A. Bennett 

Ronald and Linda Benson 

Rosemary R. Berardi and Carolyn R. Zaleon 

Ramon and Peggy Berguer 

Andrew and Lisa Bernstein 

Sheldon and Barbara Berry 

Suzanne A. and Frederick J. Beutler 

John Billi and Sheryl Hirsch 

Sara Billmann and Jeffrey Kuras 

Joan Binkow 

Maurice and Linda Binkow 

Dr. Elizabeth S. Bishop 

Mary E. Black 

John Blankley and Maureen Foley 

Bobbie and Don Blitz 

Mark and Laura Bomia 

Howard and Margaret Bond 

The Jonathan and Sara Bonesteel Foundation 

Charles and Linda Borgsdorf 

Paul Borman 

Grace Jordison Boxer 

Dr. and Mrs. Ralph R. Bozell 

Susan Bozell Craig and Family 

R.M. Bradley and C.M. Mistretta 

Joel Bregman and Elaine Pomeranz 

Charles Bright and Susan Crowell 

David and Sharon Brooks 

Catherine Brown 

Christie Brown and Jerry Davis 

Pamela Brown 

Stephen and Faith Brown 

Marco and Melissa Bruzzano 

Robert and Jeannine Buchanan 

Ellen and Brian Buggy 

Tom and Lori Buiteweg 

Lawrence and Valerie Bullen 

Alan J. Burg and Kenneth L. Hillenburg D.D.S., M.S. 

Charles and Joan Burleigh 

Tony and Jane Burton 

Sarah Calderini 

Lou and Janet Callaway 

Sally Camper and Bob Lyons 

Valerie and David Canter 

Thomas and Colleen Carey 

Jack and Susan Carlson 

Jenny and Jim Carpenter 

Carrilon Fund of the New York Community Trust 

Carolyn M. Carty 

Angela Cesere and Rob Thomas 

Karen and Charlie Chapell 

Samuel and Roberta Chappell 

Anne Chase 

Cynthia Chase 

Patricia Chatas 

Camilla Chiapuris 

Felix and Ann Chow 

Mark Clague and Laura Jackson 

Cheryl and Brian Clarkson 

Carl Cohen 

Ellen and Hubert Cohen 

Jonathan Cohn and Daniela Wittmann 

John Coleman 

Mary Sue and Kenneth Coleman 

George Collins and Paula Hencken 

Commission on Middle Eastern American Affairs 

(State of Michigan) 

Community Foundation for Southeast Michigan 

Roger and Midge Cone 

Conlin Travel/Chris and Dana Conlin 

Angelos and Kathy Constantinides 

Dr. Lisa D. Cook 

Anne Cooper 

Jeff Cooper and Peggy Daub 

Arnie and Susi Coran 

Paul Courant and Marta Manildi 

Richard D. and Nancy M. Cowan 

Katherine and Clifford Cox 

Mac and Nita Cox 

The Cozad Family 

George and Ann Crane 

Peter and Julie Cummings 

Christopher Dahl and Ruth Rowse 

Dennis Dahlmann and Patricia Garcia 

Amal and Gregory Dalack 

Marylee Dalton and Lynn Drickamer 

Timothy and Robin Damschroder 

Susan T. Darrow 

Ellie and Ed Davidson 

Ryan Davis 

David L. DeBruyn 

David Deromedi 

Monique and Dennis Deschaine 

Macdonald and Carolin Dick 

Alison and Keith Dickey 

Andrzej and Cynthia Dlugosz 

Jim and Patsy Donahey 

Sharon and Dallas Dort 

John Dryden and Diana Raimi 

DTE Energy 

Don and Kathy Duquette 

Grace Duren 

Ed and Mary Durfee 

Swati Dutta 

Gavin Eadie and Barbara Murphy 

James Eder and Kim Redic 

Barbara and Edward Lynn 

Rosalie Edwards/Vibrant Ann Arbor Fund 

Charles and Julia Eisendrath 

LookingForward 45

UMS Supporters 

Paula and Tony Elliott 

Joan H. Engel 

Thomas and Alice Fabiszewski 

Harvey and Elly Falit 

Bonnie Fauman and the estate of 

Michael Fauman 

David and Jo-Anna Featherman 

Michael and Ann Feeney 

Steve Feenstra and 

Pamela Ruiter-Feenstra 

Fei Fei and John Metzler 

Penny and Ken Fischer 

Susan R. Fisher 

Arnold Fleischmann 

Kathleen Fleming 

Esther Floyd 

Larry and Dorothy Fobes 

Jessica Fogel and Lawrence Weiner 

Ford Motor Company Fund 

George W. Ford 

Ruth C. Forrest 

Stephen and Rosamund Forrest 

Paul and Jennifer Fossum 

David Fox and Paula Bockenstedt 

Betsy Foxman and Michael Boehnke 

Dan and Jill Francis 

Randall and Ellen Frank 

Sara and Michael Frank 

Charles and Julie Frayer 

Judy and Paul Freedman 

Bernard Friedman and Sarah Mack 

Leon and Marcia Friedman 

Susan L. Froelich and Richard E. Ingram 

Philip and Renée Woodten Frost 

Carol Gagliardi and David Flesher 

Drs. Alec Gallimore and Reates Curry 

Barbara Garavaglia 

Chris Gardiner and Cynthia Koch 

Gwyn and Jay Gardner 

Mr. and Mrs. Martin J. Gargaro 

Sandra Gast and Greg Kolecki 

Thomas and Barbara Gelehrter 

Beverley and Gerson Geltner 

Chris Genteel and Dara Moses 

Ronald Gibala and Janice Grichor 

Zita and Wayne Gillis 

Sid Gilman and Carol Barbour 

David and Maureen Ginsburg 

Heather and Seth Gladstein 

Steve Glauberman and 

Margaret Schankler 

Anne and Paul Glendon 

Thea Glicksman 

Patricia and John Glidewell 

Drs. Vijay and Sara Goburdhun 

Tom and Kathy Briggs Goldberg 

Martha and Larry Gray 

John and Renee Greden 

Dr. Leslie M. Green 

Richard and Linda Greene 

Linda Gregerson and Steven Mullaney 

John R. Griffith and Sharon R. Quiroz 

Nicki Griffith 

Arthur W. Gulick 

Hanley M. Gurwin 

Stephen and Jessica Gushee 

Catherine Gust Estate 

Susan Guszynski and Gregory Mazure 

Susan and Richard Gutow 

Robert and Karen Hahn 

Randall and Nancy Caine Harbour 

Alan Harnik and 

Professor Gillian Feeley-Harnik 

Cayenne Harris 

David N. Harris 

Clifford and Alice Hart 

Larry Hastie 

D Craig Hausman and 

Holly Heaviland, PhD 

Neil and Annmarie Hawkins 

Dan and Jane Hayes 

Anne Heacock and Stephen Fisher 

Joel and Jacqui Heidelbaugh 

Stephen Henderson 

Norman and Debbie Herbert 

Alfred and Therese Hero 

David and Phyllis Herzig 

Margaret Higley 

Paul and Nancy Hillegonds 

Anne Hiller 

Timothy Hofer and Valerie Kivelson 

Dr. Jeffrey and Maxine Hoffman 

Carol and Dieter Hohnke 

Maurita Holland and Roger Chard 

Fulter and Rebecca Hong 

Honigman LLP 

Robert and Barbara Hooberman 

Victor J. Horbaniuk Estate 

Paul Hossler and Charlene Bignall 

James S. House and 

Wendy Fisher House 

Joel Howell and Linda Samuelson 

Che Huang 

Linda S. Hubbard 

William and Sarah Hufford 

Jane H. Hughes 

Greg and Carol Hulbert 

Jim and Colleen Hume 

Richard and Lesley Hume 

Ann D. Hungerman 

Eileen and Saul Hymans 

Anthony and Marilyn Iesulauro 

Mr. Stuart A. Isaac 

Richard and Suzette Isackson 

Dr. Joachim Janecke 

Ibrahim and Therese Jarjoura 

Wallie and Janet Jeffries 

Steven Jensen and Mark R. Grace 

Feng Jiang and Lydia Qiu 

Henry and Billie Johnson 

Mary and Kent Johnson 

Sue and Kevin Johnson 

Timothy and Jo Wiese Johnson 

Mattias Jonsson and Johanna Eriksson 

Jim Joyce and Emily Santer 

Mark and Madolyn Kaminski 

Elizabeth Kassab 

Barbara Kay 

Fred and Susan Kellam 

Anna-Maria and 

Stephen Kellan Foundation 

Jim Keller and Mary Ellen Hoy 

Deborah Keller-Cohen and Evan Cohen 

Charles Kelly and Allison Sugiyama 

James A. Kelly and Miriam C. Noland 

Sally Kennedy 

Patti Askwith Kenner/ Indian Trail 

Charitable Foundation 

Bonnie and Robert Kidd 

Paul and Leah Kileny 

Charles and Christina Kim 

Edward Kimball 

Catherine and William King 

Tom and Connie Kinnear 

Rich and Myra Klarman 

Shira and Steve Klein 

Wally and Robert Klein 

Phil Klintworth 

Carolyn and Jim Knake 

Michael Koen 

Rosalie and Ron Koenig 

Joseph and Marilynn Kokoszka 

Dr. and Mrs. Jerry Kolins 

Linda Korobkin 

Barbara and Michael Kratchman 

Samuel and Marilyn Krimm 

Marvin Krislov 

Donald and Jeanne Kunz 

Tim and Kathy Laing 

Jane Fryman Laird 

Stephen and Pamela Landau 

Lucy and Ken Langa 

Anne T. Larin 

John K. Lawrence and Jeanine A. DeLay 

Ted and Wendy Lawrence 

John and Theresa Lee 

Kathy Legatski 

David Leichtman and Laura A. McGinn 

Richard LeSueur 

Dr. Earl Lewis and Susan Whitlock 

James and Melissa Lewis 

Marie Lewis 

Carolyn and Paul Lichter 

Richard and Carolyn Lineback 

Daniel Little and Bernadette Lintz 

Kay and E. Daniel Long 

William and Lois Lovejoy 

Fran Lyman 

Tim and Lisa Lynch 

Marjorie Lynn 

Marilyn and Frode Maaseidvaag 

Louis and Carol MacCini 

John MacKrell 

Dr. Donald and Mrs. Jane MacQueen 

Jayne Maerker 

Preeti Malani and Mark Zacharek 

Joseph Malcoun and Caitlin Klein 

Prof. William Malm and 

Jutta Gerber-Malm 

Warde and Chrislan Manuel 

The Mardi Gras Fund 

Betsy Yvonne Mark 

Deborah and David Marmor 

W. Harry Marsden 

Ann W. Martin and Russ Larson 

J. Martin and Tara Gillespie 

Martin Family Foundation 

Michael and Kristie Martin 

Sandra Lau Martins 

Masco Corporation 

James E. Maslanka and 

Catherine E. Giebel 

Mary M. Matthews 

Jerry A. and Deborah Orr May 

Regent Emerita Olivia P. Maynard 

Martha Mayo 

Laurie McCauley and Jessy Grizzle 

Margaret and Harris McClamroch 

Doug and Cate McClure 

W Joseph McCune and 

Georgiana M Sanders 

Griff and Pat McDonald 

Theresa and Tony McDonnell 

Erin McKean and Steve Sullivan 

Carole and Dennis McNamara 

Marilyn Meeker 

Dr. Gerlinda S. Melchiori 

Mellon Foundation 

Mrs. Robert E. Meredith 

Lynne Metty 

Mike and Rachelle Michelon 

Michigan Engineering 

Michigan Medicine 

Michigan Arts and Cultural Council 

John and Sally Mitani 

Candice and Andrew Mitchell 

Bert and Kathy Moberg 

Dagmar Moore 

Emily Moore-Marshall and Tim Marshall 

Paul Morel and Linda Woodworth 

Mr. and Mrs. Donald L. Morelock 

Melinda Morris 

Genevieve and James Morrissey 

The Mosaic Foundation 

(of R. & P. Heydon) 

Cyril Moscow 

Agnes Moy-Sarns and 

David Sarns/SI Company 

Mullick Foundation 

Lisa Murray and Michael Gatti 

Hillary Murt and Bruce Friedman 

Drs. Louis Nagel and Julie Jaffee Nagel 

National Endowment for the Arts 

Thomas and Barbara Nelson 

New England Foundation for the Arts 

Jan Barney Newman 

Dan Nicoli 

John and Martha Nitz 

William Nolting and Donna Parmelee 

Christer and Outi Nordman 

Outi and Christer Nordman 

Rob and Quincy Northrup 

Arthur S. Nusbaum 

Caroline and Mitchell Nussbaum 

Fola Odetola 

Old National Bank 

Old National Bank Foundation 

Beverly Olson 

Constance K. Olson 

Gil Omenn and Martha Darling 

Elizabeth Ong 

Susan and Mark Orringer 

Elisa Ostafin and Hossein Keshtkar 

Marysia Ostafin and George Smillie 

Liz and Mohammad Othman 

Carlos Palomares and Julia Owens 

Karen Pancost 

William and Hedda Panzer 

Karen Park and John Beranek 

Michael and Leslee Perlstein 

Stephen R. Perrin 

Tim and Sally Petersen 

Emily Peterson and Anish Wadhwa 

Wesen and William Peterson 

Mark and Margaret Pieroni 

Elaine and Bertram Pitt 

Donald and Evonne Plantinga 

PNC Foundation 

Susan Pollans and Alan Levy 

Stephen and Bettina Pollock 

Tom Porter 

Rachel Portnoy and Adam Eichner 

Mary Post 

Linda Powell and James Taylor 

Prof. Sara A. Pozzi 

Diana Pratt 

Rick and Mary Price 

John and Nancy Prince 

James Read 

Bonnie Reece 

Jeff and Katie Reece 

Anthony L. Reffells 

Donald Regan and Elizabeth Axelson 

Ray and Ginny Reilly 

Malverne Reinhart 

Retirement Income Solutions 

Floretta Reynolds 

Lou and Sheila Rice 

Douglas and Robin Richstone 

Larry and Sally Robson 

Vivian D. Roeder 

Felix and Caroline Rogers 

John Roos 

Doug and Nancy Roosa 

Huda Karaman Rosen 

Jeri Rosenberg and Vic Strecher 

Stephen Rosenblum and Rosalyn Sarver 

Prue Rosenthal 

Diana and Aaron Rosenzweig 

Daria and Erhard Rothe 

Rosemarie Haag Rowney 


Carol D. Rugg and 

Richard K. Montmorency 

Don and Judy Rumelhart 

Ghassan and Manal Saab 

Linda and Leonard Sahn 

Amy Saldinger and Robert Axelrod 

Dick and Norma Sarns 

Michael and Kimm Sarosi 

Maya Savarino 

Mike and Annmarie Savitski 

Albert J. and Jane L. Sayed 

Bonnie R. Schafer 

Mary A. Schieve 

David Schmidt and Jane Myers 

Ann and Tom Schriber 

Jane and Edward Schulak 

Richard Schultz 

Elaine and Peter Schweitzer 

Ruth Scodel 

John Scudder and Regan Knapp 

Larry and Bev Seiford 

Suzanne Selig 

Harriet Selin 

Erik Serr 

Ellie Serras 

Joe and Yvonne Sesi/Sesi Lincoln 

Matthew Shapiro and Susan Garetz 

Elvera Shappirio 

Janet Shatusky 

Patrick and Carol Sherry 

Nina Silbergleit 

Edward and Kathy Silver 

Carl Simon and Bobbi Low 

Frankie and Scott Simonds 

Anne and Knut Simonsen 

Sue and Don Sinta 

Brooks Sitterley 

Jurgen Skoppek 

Barbara Furin Sloat 

Carl and Jari Smith 

Rodney Smith and Janet Kemink 

Sidonie Smith and Greg Grieco 

Susan M. Smith and Robert H. Gray 

Will and Megann Smith 

Richard Soble and Barbara Kessler 

Cheryl Soper 

Cynthia Sorensen and Henry Rueter 

Juanita and Joseph Spallina 

Becki Spangler and Peyton Bland 

Gretta Spier and Jonathan Rubin 

Jeff Spindler 

Katherine R. Spindler 

Mary C Spires 

Michael B. Staebler and Jennifer R. Poteat 

Andrea and Gus Stager 

Gary and Diane Stahle 

Steve Stancroff and Tamar Springer 

Daniel Stankey 

Nancy and James Stanley 

Daniel and Susan Stepek 

Rick and Lia Stevens 

Cynthia J. Stewart 

Mary Stockwell 

Eric and Ines Storhok 

Gail Ferguson Stout 

Karen and David Stutz 

Edward and Natalie Surovell 

Cordelia B. Sweetland 

Suzanne Tainter and Kenneth Boyer 

Louise Taylor 

Stephan Taylor and Elizabeth Stumbo 

William Tennant 

Denise Thal and David Scobey 

David and Margaret Thompson 

Nancy Thompson 

Sarah Thompson 

Carrie and Peter Throm 

Keturah Thunder-Haab 

Mary Tift 

Peter Toogood and Hanna Song 

Michael and Marcia Torrey 

Louise Townley 

Harry A. & Margaret D. Towsley Foundation 

Jeffrey and Lisa Tulin-Silver 

Claire Turcotte 

Ilene and Norman Tyler 

Alvan Uhle 

Fawwaz Ulaby and Jean Cunningham 

Susan B. Ullrich 

University of Michigan 

University of Michigan Arts Initiative 

University of Michigan School of Music, 

Theatre & Dance 

University of Michigan Credit Union 

Joyce A. Urba and David J. Kinsella 

Alison and Matthew Uzieblo 

Paul and Marcia Valenstein 

Bram van Leer 

Jack and Marilyn van der Velde 

Carol VanBesien 

Matthew VanBesien and Rosie Jowitt 

Sara E. Vander Voort 

Karla and Hugo Vandersypen 

Rob and Cynthia VanRenterghem 

Richard and Shelley Walinski 

Elizabeth A. and David C. Walker 

H. Carl Walker and Abigail E. Rogers 

Bob and Liina Wallin 

C. Glen Walter and Edite B. Walter, MD 

Margaret Walter 

Grace Wang 

Shaomeng Wang and Ju-Yun Li 

Jo Ann Ward 

Paul Ward and Laura Lamps 

Arthur and Renata Wasserman 

Harvey and Robin Wax 

WDF Director Discretionary Philanthropic 

Fund of the United Jewish Foundation 

Richard and Madelon Weber 

MaryLinda and Larry Webster 

Mr. and Mrs. Richard C. Weiermiller 

Richard and Gretchen Weir 

Eileen Lappin Weiser 

Robert O. Weisman 

Edward and Colleen Weiss 

James and Karen Westphal 

Robert Westveer 

Julie Wheaton 

Mary Ann Whipple 

Amy White 

James B. White and Mary F. White 

Kathy White 

Mac and Rosanne Whitehouse 

Max Wicha and Sheila Crowley 

Dianne Widzinski 

Peter and Karen Wildman 

David and Anne Wilhoit 

Brian Willen and Monica Hakimi 

Sandy and Jon Willen 

Robin Wilson 

I. W. Winsten 

Lawrence and Mary Wise 

Max and Mary Wisgerhof 

Charles Witke and Aileen Gatten 

Steven and Helen Woghin 

Charlotte A. Wolfe 

Dr. and Mrs. Peter WK Woo 

Douglas Wood and Kay Holsinger 

Eric Woodhams 

Richard Woodhams 

The Worsham Family Foundation 

Frances A. Wright 

Mary Jean and John Yablonky 

Joel Young 

The Zelenock Family 

Tribute 

Gifts 

From July 1, 2021 – August 1, 2022, 

various gift to UMS were made in 

honor or in memory of the following 

individuals. 

Raymond and Janet Bernreuter 

Margaret Bond 

Laurence A. Boxer 

H.R. Crane 

Sally Cushing 

Fr. Timothy Dombrowski 

Ken Fischer 

Susan R. Harris 

David Herzig 

Christa Janecke 

David Kennedy 

Frank Legacki 

Paul and Ruth McCracken 

Louis Michelon 

Anne Parsons 

Elva Rosenzweig 

Janet R. Shaprio and Irving Shaprio 

Alyce Sigler 

David and Karen Stutz 

James W. Toy 


Darragh H. Weisman 

Robert O. Weisman 

Lynn B. Welchli 

Clayton Wilhite 

LookingForward 47

FY22 Financials 

FY22 

Financials 

During our 143rd season, we returned to a smaller season of in-person performances and 

programming while continuing to present UMS offerings in the digital space. We’re grateful to 

the committed staff, dedicated board and volunteers, and generous donors and investors who 

helped to make this season possible. 

Our complete audited financial statements are available on our website at ums.org/about/ 

financial-statements, with a top-line summary on the next page. For comparison purposes, 

we have included both FY20 (with the final two months of performances canceled due to the 

pandemic) and FY21 (a season that included no in-person performances), in addition to the 

most recent statements reflecting FY22. 

Our positive bottom line from operations during FY21 and FY22 was due to the incredible 

loyalty of our donors and supporters, strong financial stewardship of our staff and board, 

and support from federal relief programs, specifically the Paycheck Protection Program and 

Shuttered Venues Operating Grant program. Our overall change in net assets showed a gain of 

$4,065,113, largely due to unrealized gains on our board-designated endowment and donorrestricted 

endowment funds. 

The FY22 statements are representative of UMS’s overall position of financial strength due 

to the deep commitment of our audiences and donors. Nevertheless, as we look ahead, we 

anticipate that the coming years will be challenging for the organization, with continued 

uncertainty due to the ongoing pandemic and its impact on both artist tours and attendance at 

live performances. 

We are extraordinarily grateful to all who continue to support UMS during these uncertain times. 

Sincerely, 


President, UMS 

Rachel Bendit 

Chair, UMS Board of Directors 


OPERATING RESULTS FY22 FY21 FY20 

Ticket Revenue (1) $1,252,681 $-0- $2,449,250 

Other Earned Revenues $455,943 $146,495 $480,896 

Net Investment Income $1,185,385 $1,095,257 $1,083,035 

Gifts and Grants (2) $4,242,080 $3,107,899 $3,734,791 

Gifts and Grants Released from Restrictions (3) $209,954 $601,740 $100,085 

University of Michigan (4) $1,685,000 $1,526,000 $1,070,000 

Operating Revenue $9,031,043 $6,477,391 $8,918,057 

Concert Expenses & Related Programs (5) $5,408,917 $2,807,801 $5,684,862 

Administrative Expenses (6) $2,069,183 $1,843,990 $1,677,273 

Development Expenses $1,277,161 $1,183,987 $1,262,940 

Operating Expenses $8,755,261 $5,835,778 $8,625,075 

Net Surplus/(Deficit) from Operations $275,782 $641,613 $292,982 

NET ASSETS (including Endowment Funds) FY22 FY21 FY20 

Beginning Balance - Net Assets $36,244,606 $27,130,411 $27,250,950 

Changes in Net Assets: 

Gifts and Grants $1,026,491 $494,082 $1,106,872 

Gifts and Grants Released from Restrictions (3) ($209,954) ($601,740) ($100,085) 

Net Investment Income $48,059 $60,014 $50,240 

Net Unrealized Gain/(Loss) on Investments Without Donor Restrictions $839,017 $2,445,489 ($444,613) 

Net Unrealized Gain/(Loss) on Investments With Donor Restrictions $2,085,718 $6,074,737 ($1,025,935) 

Net Surplus/(Deficit) from Operations $275,782 $641,613 $292,982 

Total Change in Net Assets $4,065,113 $9,114,195 ($120,539) 

Ending Balance - Net Assets $40,309,719 $36,244,606 $27,130,411 

(1) FY20 Includes ticket donations from events canceled due to the coronavirus pandemic. (2) This line also includes $458,432 from the Paycheck Protection Program 

in FY20 and $362,800 in FY21. Both FY20 and FY21 amounts were forgiven. FY22 reflects $1,628,106 from the Shuttered Venues Operating Grant program. (3) 

Represents gifts and grants received in prior years whose purpose or timing conditions were met. (4) Represents discretionary support provided by the U-M Offices 

of the President and Provost, as well as other University units. (5) Includes digital artist residencies and digital programming expense for FY21 when there were no inperson 

performances. (6) Includes estimated market value of in-kind subsidized lease costs for office space. This amount totals approximately $143,000 in FY20 and 

FY21, and $137,548 in FY22. 

LookingForward 49

21/22 Calendar 

21/22 

Calendar. 

September 2021 

BLISS (in association with Michigan 

Opera Theatre) 

October 2021 

Jonas Kaufmann 

November 2021 

Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra with 

Wynton Marsalis: Big Band Holidays 

December 2021 

Takács Quartet with Julien Labro 

Handel’s Messiah 

January 2022 

A.I.M: Requiem: Fire in the Air of the 

Earth with Kyle Abraham and Jlin 

Imani Winds with Catalyst Quartet 

February 2022 

Ballet Folklórico de México de Amalia 

Hernández 

Ali Chahrour: Layl (Night) 

Fiddler on the Roof in Concert 

March 2022 

The Philadelphia Orchestra (two 

performances) 

National Arab Orchestra 

Octavia E. Butler’s Parable of the 

Sower with Toshi Reagon 

Benjamin Grosvenor, piano 

Caleb Teicher: SW!NG OUT 

Sahra: An Evening of Performance 

with Tawil & Khoury and Kabaret 

Cheikhats 

EDEN with Joyce DiDonato and Il 

pomo d’oro 

A Moodswing Reunion with Joshua 

Redman, Sullivan Fortner, Christian 

McBride, and Brian Blade 

HOME 

Sheku Kanneh-Mason and Isata 

Kanneh-Mason 

Digital Offerings 

A Travel Guide for Talking Hearts with 

Yo-Yo Ma, Michigan artists, and U-M 

students 

JAM3A – A Virtual Music Festival 

Cleo Parker Robinson Dance 

Ensemble: The Making of “The Four 

Journeys” 

Acrobuffos: Air Play 

Tarek Yamani and Spektral Quartet 

Mariachi Vargas de Tecalitlán 

Sermon: Davóne Tines and the 

Philadelphia Orchestra 

Imani Winds with Catalyst Quartet 

School Day Performance 

Ballet Folklórico de México de Amalia 

Hernández School Day Performance 

Live Session: Nicholas Phan, tenor 

Live Session: Takács Quartet with 

Julien Labro 

Live Session: Imani Winds with 

Catalyst Quartet 

Live Session: Jlin 

Live Session: Tammy Lakkis 

Live Session: Elvis Perkins 


UMS Staff 

Matthew VanBesien, 

President 

Administration & Finance 

Carmen Rodriguez, 

Vice President, Finance 

and Administration 

Jessica Adamczyk, 

Executive Assistant to 

the President 

Salina Naranjo, 

Senior Accountant 

John Peckham, 

Information Systems 

Manager 

Scott Baker, 

Business Systems 

Analyst 

Development 

Ryan Davis, 

Vice President and Chief 

Development Officer 

Susan Bozell Craig, 

Director of Development 

Rachelle Michelon, 

Annual Giving Manager 

Lisa Michiko Murray, 

Associate Director 

of Development, 

Foundation & 

Government Relations 

Margaret Reid, 

Associate Director of 

Development, Major Gifts 

and Planned Giving 

Justine Sedky, 

Development 

Administrative Assistant 

Will Smith, 

Assistant Manager, Major 

Gifts 

Education & Community 

Engagement 

Cayenne Harris, 

Vice President, 


Engagement 

Alexandria Davis, 

Community & Audience 

Programs Manager 

Terri Park, 

Associate Director of 


Engagement, K-12 

Programs 

Maddy Wildman, 

University Programs 

Manager 

Marketing & 

Communications 

Sara Billmann, 


Marketing & 


Jacob Gibson, 

Marketing & 


Associate 

Samantha Williams, 

Marketing & Media 

Relations Manager 

Eric Woodhams, 

Director of Digital Media 

Patron Services 

Christina Bellows, 

Director of Patron 

Services (through April 

2022) 

Rochelle Clark, 

Ticket Services 

Associate 

Bridget Kojima, 

Group Sales and 

Promotions Associate 

Nina Renella, 

Front of House Assistant 

Manager 

Anné Renforth, 

Ticket Services Assistant 

Manager 

Production/Programming 

Michael Kondziolka, 


Programming & 

Production 

Jeffrey Beyersdorf, 

Production Director 

(through April 2022) 

Alex Gay, 

Assistant Production 

Manager (through July 

2022) 

Anne Grove, 

Artist Services Manager 

Mark Jacobson, 

Senior Programming 

Manager 

Mary Roeder, 

Programming Manager 

UMS Choral Union 

Scott Hanoian, 

Music Director and 

Conductor 

Kathleen Operhall, 

Chorus Manager 

Student Employees & 

Part-Time Assistants 

Naeema Ali, 

Patron Services Student 

Assistant 

Bryan Allen, 


Assistant 

Anya Baldus, 


Assistant 

Jesse Bruer, 


Assistant 

Ashton Gibson, 


Assistant 

Kristin Hanson, 


Engagement Student 

Assistant 

Marisa Honig, 


Engagement Student 

Assistant 

Olivia Johnson, 


Assistant 

Evan Kiel, 


Assistant 

Cecilia Morales-Barraza, 


Assistant 

Bella Olson, 


Assistant 

Nathan Rodriguez, 


Assistant 

Jacob Rogers, 


Assistant 

Justine Sedky, Patron 

Services Assistant 

(through December 

2021) 

Monique Wheeler, 


Assistant 

Keri Zhang, 


Assistant 

UMS 2021/22 

Board of 

Directors 

Rachel Bendit, 

Co-Chair 

Lisa D. Cook, 

Co-Chair 

Brian Willen, 

Vice Chair 

Rob VanRenterghem, 

Treasurer 

Christina Kim, 

Secretary 

Susan E. Alcock 

Karen Bantel 

Kiana Barfield 

Marco Bruzzano 

Mary Lincoln Campbell 

Karen Chapell 

Christopher Conlin 

Timothy R. Damschroder 

Alec Gallimore 

Linda Gregerson 

Stephen Henderson 

Ibrahim Jarjoura 

Barbara Kaye 

Timothy G. Lynch 

Preeti N. Malani 

Chrislan Fuller Manuel 

Timothy G. Marshall 

Michael C. Martin 

Peter Schweitzer 

Versell Smith, Jr. 

Linh Song 

Gail Ferguson Stout 

Victor J. Strecher 

Alicia Torres 

Ex-officio Members: 

Geoffrey Chatas, 

Executive Vice President 

Mary Sue Coleman, 

President, U-M 

Susan M. Collins, 

Provost, U-M 

David Gier, Dean, 

School of Music, Theatre 

& Dance, U-M 

and Chief Financial 

Officer, U-M 

Tim Petersen, past chair 

Jeanice Kerr Swift, 

Superintendent of Ann 

Arbor Public Schools 

Representatives to the 

Board: 

Norman Herbert, 

UMS Sustaining 

Directors 

Prudence Rosenthal, 

UMS Sustaining 

Directors 

Michael Lee, 

UMS Ambassadors 

UMS 

Ambassadors 

Ambassador Executive 

Committee 

Michael Lee, 

Chair 

Cathy King, 

Vice Chair and 

Membership Committee 

Co-Chair 

Lisa Armstrong, 

Treasurer 

Beth McNally, 

Secretary 

Jay Kain, 

Membership Committee 

Co-Chair 

Kirsten Williams, 

School Day Performance 

Volunteer Chair 

Athena Papageorgiou, 

Member-At-Large 

Elena Snyder, 

Immediate Past Chair 

Ambassador General 

Membership 

Arlene Barnes 

Astrid Beck 

Sue Beel 

Todd Beel 

Elaine Bennett 

Mike Dergis 

Janet Galardi Popper 

Joan Kadis 

Nancy Karp 

Kathy Kiehl 

Leah Korth 

Garrett Lefkowitz 

Rita Malone 

Daria Massimilla 

Sharon Peterson Dort 

Pat Rideout 

Jill Ross 

Ellen Sapper 

Andrew Schneider 

Pam Tabbaa 

Sarajane Winkelman 

LookingForward 51

2014 National Medal of Arts Recipient 

@UMSPRESENTS 

UMS.ORG——734.764.2538

UMS 2021/22 Annual Report

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