ARTIST SERIES OF SARASOTA

Presenting primarily classical music programming, featuring voice, piano, and other instruments with an emphasis on recitals and small ensembles.

Building our audience and supporters by offering performances of the highest possible standards of quality.

Being rooted in classical music, but also recognizing other musical genres, including the Broadway stage, motion pictures, cabaret and studio opera.

Utilizing small venues, informal presentation style, and performers recognized both nationally and internationally, with emphasis on presentation of emerging artists.

Taking responsibility for helping to assure the future of classical music by assisting young musicians who demonstrate career-quality potential in the field of music by committing significant resources to a scholarship fund and annual scholarship awards.

What is today known as the Artist Series of Sarasota was conceived in 1996 by Co-Founders Jerold Ross and Lee Dougherty Ross.

Jerold enjoyed a business career that included top management positions. His background in arts management includes service as a key member of the Board of an opera company and ownership of a classical music radio station.

Lee Dougherty debuted at age twelve as a piano soloist with the Norfolk, Virginia Symphony Orchestra and later performed the Rachmaninoff 2nd Piano Concerto with the Eastman Rochester Symphony. She graduated from Eastman School of Music with a double major in both piano and voice. She often accompanies guest artists on the Artist Series.

The two met in Milwaukee in 1976 and married in 1978. Lee's years of performance in New York resulted in friendships with many musical artists who would visit the couple in their Milwaukee home. They began to host musical soirees in their home with principal players of the symphony, conductor, soloists, local artists, music teachers and friends who enjoyed the affairs.

After relocating to Sarasota the couple saw the possibility of transporting the soiree concept here by offering their musical artist friends transportation costs and small honorariums (along with the opportunity to enjoy the community's fabulous weather and beaches) to perform intimate recital programs in Sarasota. The inaugural concerts were held in the lobby area of the Ross's beach-front condo. After four years, the programs had grown in popularity to the point where need for additional seating dictated a move and in 2001 the renamed ARTIST SERIES OF SARASOTA moved to the Beatrice Friedman Symphony Center in Sarasota's cultural district. In 2003 the Series moved to the larger Holley Hall within the Symphony Center and at the same time formalized its structure by seeking and attaining 501(c)(3) tax exempt status from the Internal Revenue Service.

As part of that process, a Board of Directors was established and the critical steps toward assuring the longevity of the ARTIST SERIES OF SARASOTA  were begun as the organization developed its long-term vision and goals.

ARTISTIC DIRECTOR

Lee Dougherty Ross

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

John Alan Fischer

BOARD OF TRUSTEES

Casey Colburn, President

(open), Vice President

Raphael Broth, Secretary

Jean Abrams, Treasurer

Trustees at large

 Patricia Anderson, Scott Anderson, Mary Elizabeth Carey, Roger Dirksen, Janice, Landauer, Phyllis Lowitt, Joy McIntyre, Barbara Staton, Joan Suddarth, Russell Wiltshire


EMERITUS COUNCIL
Deane Carroll Allyn
Betsy Bagby
Karen Berman
Scott George
Betsy Hinrichs
Katherine Lauder
Jerold Ross (co-founder)
Virginia Toulmin (deceased)
Dr. Harvey Webb, Jr.
Fred Wurlitzer

The Artist Series is proud to be a member of the Sarasota County Arts Council.
The Sarasota Visitors and Convention Bureau, and the
Greater Sarasota Chamber of Commerce