The Dallas Symphony Orchestra League 2022 Debutantes were introduced at the 36th Annual Presentation Ball which was held on February 12, 2022 at the Morton H. Meyerson Symphony Center.
The Honorary Chair for the Ball was Sherwood Wagner, a longtime supporter of the DSO and the Dallas community. The Presentation Ball Chair was Elizabeth Gambrell and DSOL President is Venise Stuart. Elizabeth and Venise knew well what to expect during the debutante season. Elizabeth’s daughter Eleanor made her debut in 2020. Venise was Presentation Ball Chair in 2015 and also had an Honor Guard son, Marcus.
“The Ball was the culmination of a season of events which started in May, 2021,” said DSOL President Venise Stuart. “It has provided an opportunity for these young debutantes and their honor guard escorts to experience the excitement and beauty of our world-class Dallas Symphony Orchestra and become our city's next generation of symphony and arts supporters.”
There were numerous parents who have had debutante daughters and honor guard sons in prior years.
Janie and David Condon’s daughter Grace was the third debutante in the family to be presented.
Margaret and Barry Hancock’s daughter Katherine made her debut and the family knows the debutante season well. Daughter Mary Margaret made her debut in 2016 and son James was an Honor Guard in 2020. However, their history with the Presentation Ball dates even further back starting with the first ball held in 1987 when Barry was an Honor Guard. He met Margaret the next year when she made her debut and they were married a few years later. With Katherine’s debut, all the family members have participated.
The Presentation Ball was created with the vision of long-time League member Tincy Miller, who also chaired the first ball.
“The Presentation Ball brings families and friends together, with friendships old and new creating a Camelot experience to carry you a lifetime,” said Tincy. “We do not remember the days, we remember the moments. This is a Camelot moment.”
The 2021-2022 debutantes are: Nora Arnold, Virginia Baker, Bailey Beaird, Cambridge Bender, London Boscamp, Abigail Brannon, Riley Cheek, Grace Condon, Amelia Cox, Erin Daugherty, Eliza Davis, Katherine Downing, Katherine Edwards, Katie Elliott, Virginia Fielder, Sydney Goodiel, Katherine Hancock, Emily Hea, Reva Henderson, Ava Heppner, Julia Hicks, Stephanie Hirschbrich, Sophie Hung, Madigan Jacoby, Grace Judin, Claire Koonsman, Story Langston, Ashley Laughlin, McKinley Lawson, Brooke Marvel, Ashlyn Meuse, Anna Mikeska, Kate Murray, Ashlee Newton, Abbey Perry, Mary Tarver Reid, Anna Robinowitz, Annie Sawers, Bella Scott, Sarah Smith, Lydia Szuwalski, Margaret Thompson, Samantha Ungerman, Ella Varel, Annie Walker, Elizabeth Walsh, Tory Wicklund, and Kelsey Wittmann.
The Presentation Ball, which was first held in 1987, is the largest fundraiser for the DSOL. Over $12 million has been raised for the Dallas Symphony Orchestra through the annual event.
Founded in 1946, the DSOL's mission is to support the Dallas Symphony Orchestra through service, education and fundraising activities. Since 1998 the League has contributed over $20 million in support of the Dallas Symphony Association’s Community Outreach and Education programs, which help bring the wonder of the Dallas Symphony Orchestra to thousands of youths and adults in the Dallas Metroplex.
Photos by Gittings