2025 Opening Weekend Gala
Saturday, October 11, 2025
12:00 AM
Thank you for supporting the 2025 Opening Weekend Gala!
This year’s Gala, held on October 11, 2025 and chaired by Teresa Fink and Stephen Varenhorst, featured a thrilling double bill of Carmen and Boléro, choreographed by The Ruth and A. Morris Williams, Jr. Artistic Director Angel Corella. Inspired by the passion and artistry of Spain, the program showcased the extraordinary artists of Philadelphia Ballet and the beloved music of Georges Bizet and Maurice Ravel, brought to life by the Philadelphia Ballet Orchestra under the direction of The Louise and Alan Reed Music Director Beatrice Jona Affron.
The program also featured a special awards ceremony hosted by Nydia Han of 6abc. The 2025 Barbara Weisberger Award was presented to Arthur M. Kaplan in recognition of his distinguished service as a longtime Trustee and friend of Philadelphia Ballet. Martha Koeneman, The Greapentrog Principal Pianist, received the David F. Hoffman Award for Artistic Achievement in honor of her extraordinary commitment and musical legacy as she begins her 53rd season with Philadelphia Ballet. A festive black tie dinner in the Grand Belle Ballroom at the Bellevue Hotel followed the performance.
Proceeds from the Opening Weekend Gala benefit Philadelphia Ballet’s work onstage and in the community.
Please contact [email protected] for questions about the 2025 Opening Weekend Gala.
PHILADELPHIA BALLET GRATEFULLY ACKNOWLEDGES THE FOLLOWING SUPPORTERS OF THE OPENING WEEKEND GALA
PRESENTING SPONSORS
Varenhorst Architects
Teresa Fink and Stephen Varenhorst
ANGEL SPONSORS
Deborah and Kurt Hilzinger
David F. Hoffman and Mary MacElree
Victoria B. Mars and David Spina
GOLD SPONSORS
Blank Rome
– Leigh Ann and Emmerich Buziak
– Amy and Anthony B. Haller
Sarah and Brad Marshall
Shelly and Marty Power
Louise H. Reed
James and Stacy Sarvis
Friend of Philadelphia Ballet
ANGEL SPONSOR – COUPLES
Arthur M. Kaplan and R. Duane Perry
Neal W. Krouse and Karl Fong
Marla and Rich Milgram
Lawrence Scholler – in memory of Mary Ann Scholler
Slingshot Ventures
– Charlie Hess and Jan Valentic
SILVER SPONSORS
Gün Akkor and Raffaella Fabiani Giannetto
Judith Broudy
Harry and Karen Lavallen
Mr. and Mrs. Eric W. Noll
John and Emalee Welsh
CORPORATE SPONSORS
6abc
Accenture
– Talia Tomarchio
Aramark
– Tamsin and Scott Fast
– Melissa Merkel
– Angela Tassie
Buchanan Ingersoll & Rooney PC
– Lloyd and Ebony Freeman
First National Bank
– Luke Hirneisen and Liz Aaron-Hirneisen
Stateside
Turner Construction Co.
Virtisse
– Irene W. Gage and Dr. Pat L. Gage, and Christine Wilson
ANGEL SPONSOR – INDIVIDUALS
Dr. James L. Goodwill, III
Dr. Janet F. Haas and Mr. John Otto Haas
Carolyn C. Newsom
Irene Sanz
Alex and Janine Zozaya
VIP TICKETS
Lisa and Audrey Bell
Cindy Bolt
Janet Cauley
Barbara Eberlein and Jerry Wind
Jamie Gibbins
Drs. Francis and Mandana Hunter
Drs. Jason Karlawish and John Bruza
Dan Kempson and Zachary Altman
Rachel Kieser and Mr. Ronaldo Ribeiro
Michael C. Lillys
Kitsie O’Neill
Orion General Contractors
Peter Maruca
Liz Ray
Eileen P. Rosenau
John F. Salveson
Vikki Sloviter and Justin Wheeler
Keith R. Straw
Bernadette Tate
Michael and Irene Varenhorst, Danni Varenhorst, McKenzie Varenhorst, Reagan Varenhorst, and Sam Vogel
Dr. Robert J. Wallner
Sandra and Earl Waxman
Elayne Weisberg
Karen Paul Zimmer, MD, MPH and Norman M. Powell, Esq.
PATRON TICKETS
Alyse and James Bodine
Susan W. Catherwood
Evelyn Ebo
James Fratto and Jeanne Sigler
Coeli Hilferty
Ian and Sarah Hincken
Jeanne Ruddy and Victor Keen
Drs. Elizabeth Knighton and Kevin Duffy
Martha Morse
North Cypress Rentals
Macleod Carre and Robert Odorizzi
William O’Connor and George H. McNeely IV
Bryan Park
Melissa and Albert Parker
Jessica Cosmé Platt and Aren Platt
Betsy and Jake Ramage
Jan S. Shaeffer and Dennis Bianchi
Dr. Jeffrey Smith and Mrs. Meredith Lewis
R. William Thomas
Vincent Vadot and Veronique Bonnet-Vadot
Beverly Wexler
Friend of Philadelphia Ballet
YOUNG FRIENDS TICKETS
Danielle Bourgeon
Erin Colgan and Ryan Orth
Rodrigo Daly Guris and Kelly Chambers
Danielle Hankin and Christopher Young
Miriam Harden
Phoebe Loh
Jeanne Michele Mariani and Drew Crivelli
Robert Marsch and John Wright
Vanessa McGrath
Erika and Max Morgan
Jasmine Moore
Nika Nassif
Meredith Noll
ALUMNI TICKETS
Jennifer Borish
Alexei Borovik
Alexei Charov and Natalia Charova
DONORS
Hilary Alger and Chris Sanchirico
Amy Barrickman
Carol Beringer
Artist Sponsor
Dr. Jan Boswinkel
Dr. and Mrs. Neal E. Bozentka
Evelyn Cintron and Jeffrey Totaro
The Frank L. and Sarah Miller Coulson Foundation
Sarah Miller Coulson
Alice Donavin Day and George S. Day, PhD
Artist Sponsors
Aubrey DesPortes
Artist Sponsor
Allen R. and Judy Brick Freedman
Dr. Janet F. Haas and Mr. John Otto Haas
Tom and Debra Harder
Artist Sponsors
Harlequin Floors
Chrissy Ott
Artist Sponsors
Barbara D. Hauptfuhrer – in honor of Louise H. Reed
Drs. Francis and Mandana Hunter
Artist Sponsors
Leslie Kruhly
Artist Sponsor
Margaret Marsh and Howard Gillette
Tammy and John Murabito
Artist Sponsors
Rita and Larry Salva
Artist Sponsors
Michael and Lavinia Smerconish – in honor of Teresa Fink and Stephen Varenhorst
Arthur and Julia Solmssen
Helena and Eric Sultan
Artist Sponsors
Vanguard Charitable
Toni Stifano-Walton and Marc Walton
Artist Sponsors
Stephanie M. Warakomski
Sandra and Earl Waxman
Artist Sponsors
John and Emalee Welsh
Artist Sponsors
Beverly Wexler
Tracy A. Wenzinger and Jon-Paul Barr
A. Morris Williams, Jr. and Elaine Woo Camarda
Friends of Philadelphia Ballet
Artist Sponsors