About us
Making Music in Benzie County and Beyond
The Benzie Area Symphony Orchestra was established in 1980 by Julia Kurtyka, a professional violinist and string teacher in the Frankfort Public Schools. BASO offers local community musicians a chance to rehearse, learn and perform and foster a love of music in Northwest Michigan. The orchestra is most active in the summer and early fall.
Since its founding, the orchestra has been graced by the batons of four prominent musicians and educators: Don Smith (1985-1999), Dorothy Kunkel (1999-2007), John Beery (2008-2014), and Tom Riccobono (2015-present)
The Benzie Area Symphony Orchestra is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that relies on donations and grants to serve the community. For more information about supporting our musical mission, please contact us.
Staff & Board of directors
Staff
Tom Riccobono - Conductor and Musical Advisor
Autumn Kirby - Music Librarian
Theresa Kelley - Operations Manager
Heather Deegan - Historian
Board of Directors
Jim Bekkering - President and Chair
Elizabeth Blondia
Malcolm Brannen
Chris Hintz - Website Coordinator and Writer
Laura Hood - Vice President
Marcia Korwin - Secretary
Ann Kullenberg - Treasurer
Candace Wiebener - Concertmaster, Adjunct Member
Nancy Williamson - Adjunct Member