Tuesday, July 2, 2024 — The Ann Arbor Symphony Orchestra has officially welcomed four new members to its Board of Directors.
Travel management owner Chris Conlin, academic researcher Rajani Bhat, realtor David S. Malcolm, and dentist Peter VanBeck were elected at the orchestra’s Annual Meeting on Thursday, June 20, 2024.
“Our newest board members bring a wealth of insights and expertise to Ann Arbor’s resident symphony orchestra as we begin to prepare for our 100th anniversary in 1928”, A2SO Executive Director Sarah Calderini comments. “In addition to their experience, our board members’ fresh perspectives keep us agile and responsive in best serving our wonderfully supportive audiences throughout the region.”
Born in Mumbai, Rajani Bhat received her PhD in Polymer Chemistry from Rutgers in 2022, and is currently active as a postdoctoral fellow and Research Investigator at the University of Michigan. With a passion for South Asian and Carnatic music, Rajani notes that she “envisions a future where classical music not only thrives but also serves as a catalyst for social connection and artistic expression.”
A fourth-generation Ann Arborite, Chris Conlin grew Conlin Travel into a top 50 Travel Management Company in the US with close to $200 million in sales and over 100 travel industry employees. After its acquisition by JP Morgan in 2022, Chris continues to serve as Director of Enterprise Initiatives, as well as donate his time to local nonprofits like The American Red Cross, University Musical Society, Michigan Theatre Foundation, Greenhills School Trustee, Barton Hills Village Trustee, and others.
Realtor David S. Malcolm grew up in Ann Arbor and attended Ann Arbor Public Schools, Washtenaw Community College, and Eastern Michigan University. He serves on Ann Arbor’s Community Leadership Council for affordable housing, the Community Engagement Committee for the Ann Arbor Area Board of Realtors, and is heavily involved with Michigan Special Olympics, Reinhart Charitable Foundation, and other local charities.
Trained as a concert pianist, Peter VanBeck received a doctorate of musical arts and performed with several symphony orchestras across the US and Europe. Following in his father’s footsteps, he opened VanBeck Dentistry in 2021 after training at the University of Michigan School of Dentistry, and serves clients around Ann Arbor from his offices on Oak Valley Drive.
The 2024-25 A2SO Executive Board Members are: President, Lesa Huget; First Vice President, Jon Beebe; Secretary, Sarah Bishara; Treasurer, Daniel B. Clark; Past President, Carol A. Sewell; Artistic Affairs VP, Jane Arvidson Panikkar; Development VP, Sassa Akervall; Finance & Budget VP, Daniel B. Clark; and Policy VP, Diana Raimi.
The 2024-25 A2SO Board of Directors are: Rajani Bhat, Chris Conlin, Martha Darling, Andre Dowell, J. Robert Gates, David A. Gier, Richard D. Hendricks, Henry Johnson, Roderick J. Little, Brigitte A. Maassen, David S. Malcolm, William J. Maxbauer, Dan Merritt, Barbara Sturgis-Everett, Peter VanBeck, Elisabeth Vanderpool, Daniel Washington, and Remedios Montalbo Young.
The Ann Arbor Symphony Orchestra and Music Director Earl Lee perform at Ann Arbor’s Hill Auditorium on May 18, 2024, joined by soloists and the UMS Choral Union. (Photo: A2SO/Kelvin J. Baker).