Leadership Councils

The Houston Symphony’s Leadership Councils are membership groups comprised of business, education and community leaders who advise the Symphony on how it can better connect with communities in Greater Houston.

The Houston Symphony’s African American Leadership Council is a membership group comprised of business, education and community leaders who advise the Symphony on how it can better connect with the Black community in Greater Houston. Their guidance assists the Symphony in providing meaningful musical experiences to that community through a number of education and community partnerships and performances, thereby expanding its impact on this community, and improving the overall diversity of the symphony’s audience. Specific initiatives include numerous free summer and holiday concerts performed by the Houston Symphony at churches and schools in the community, and the Music Literacy Workshop series.

Council Members

Juan Crawford, Chair
Tanya Debose, Community Liaison
Stepheny Scott, Secretary
Patrick Brooks
Ruth Collins
Pastor Willie Collins
Irene Garcia
Burnell Hines
Albert Lemons
Ray Mackey
Lt. Paul Smithers
Robert Thomas
Terence Washington
L.J. Woodard
Jessie Woods
Davis Zuniga

The Houston Symphony’s Hispanic Leadership Council is a membership group comprised of business, education and community leaders who advise the Symphony on how it can better connect with the Hispanic community in Greater Houston.  Their guidance assists the Symphony in providing meaningful musical experiences to that community through a number of education and community partnerships and performances, thereby expanding its impact on this community, and improving the overall diversity of the symphony’s audience.

Specific initiatives include numerous performances at cultural festivals and free or low-cost concerts performed by the Houston Symphony, including its annual Fiesta Sinfónica concert.

Council Members

Chair John Steven Cisneros, Ed.D
Carolina Arenas
Laura Cervantes
Genaro Cibrian
Manuel Delgado
Irma Diaz-Gonzalez
Maria Duran
Alejandro Gallardo
Carlos Lopez
Elena Macias
Daisy Perez
Ed Schneider
Abraham Silva
Gary Stone
Soledad Tanner

Founding Chair Art Vivar

Support Our Community Initiatives

Support our initiatives to provide low-cost or free student concerts in Jones Hall, musician classroom visits, and school residencies.