Safety Harbor Brunch
Tampa Friends held a wonderful Sunday Brunch in Safety Harbor on October 19th at the beautiful home of Sheryl Hofmann.
Petting Zoo Photos
Tampa Friends supported the TFO’s Petting Zoo at the New Tampa Performing Arts Center on SEP 13th. Many thanks to our volunteers – Linda & Joe Cassaly, Ann Sofia, and Beth & Tom Unnasch.
Tampa Friends Tune Up 2025
Tampa Friends held our Tune Up for the upcoming TFO season on Sep 10 at the Bellamy on Bayshore. We were honored to have Resident Conductor Chelsea Gallo as our guest, plus Erik Shinn, TFO’s VP of Orchestra Operations & Artistic Planning and Samantha Wright, Board Liaison. Our musical entertainment was Cellist Troy Chang. Many […]
2025 Annual Meeting
Tampa Friends held their Annual Meeting on June 4 at Monte Carlo Towers. Our speaker was Michelle Kim-Painter, VP Education and Community Impact for TFO. We also honored our retiring TFO Liaison, Ken Kwo as well as Sam Saporta, who is stepping down from the Tampa Friend’s Board.
TFO’s Bucket Brigade
Tampa Friends’ members participated in TFO’s Bucket Brigade to collect donations at River Tower Park on Saturday, May 31st. A huge audience attended to enjoy the orchestra with Chelsea Gallo,TFO’s Resident Conductor. For one selection, she turned the baton over to Victor Minke Huls, Associate Principal Cello, for his conducting debut.
Tea Party Photos
Our Afternoon Tea was held at the historic home and garden of Kathy Durdin. Our entertainment was TFO musicians Dan Urbanowicz (viola) and Yuan-Yuan Wang (violin).
Soiree at Avila
Our February event – Soiree in Avila – was held at the lovely home of Carol Balkcom and Ed Kaloust. Our entertainment for the evening was TFO Principal Clarinet Natalie Hoe. We were thrilled to have Music Director Michael Francis and his wife Cindy attend, as well as Principal Horn David Smith, and Bassist Jim […]
Fanfare for Michael
On December 5th, Tampa Friends held Fanfare for Michael to honor his 10 years as Music Director of The Florida Orchestra. The event was held at The Bay Club at Westshore Yacht Club where our musical entertainment was Simon Lasky, British composer and jazz pianist.
Harmony Across the Bay 2025
Harmony Across the Bay is a joint fundraising luncheon held by the three TFO guilds who support The Florida Orchestra. After the St. Pete Guild resurrected this event last year, Tampa Friends hosted the event in January 2025 with over 60 members from all three guilds attending. We were entertained by TFO Principal Cellist Yoni Draiblate […]
Pep Rally Photos
Members kicked up their heels at a Pep Rally to end the summer doldrums and jump in to a new Florida Orchestra season.