Mr. Blair was the founding President of the Ohio Foundation of the Arts, Inc., a statewide arts service corporation; and is a past President and Executive Committee Member of the Canton Symphony Orchestra, an association he has maintained for over 45 years. In 2019, the CSO honored him for his service to us and the Arts. He has received numerous awards and prizes for work in the arts and humanities including the Cleveland Arts Prize in July 2006 and Americans for the Arts award for state arts Advocacy. He is a recipient of the prestigious Distinguished Service Medal from The Ohio State University and the Heinlen Award from the Ohio State University Alumni Association for his work on behalf of his alma mater.
Mr. Blair is directly responsible for arts organizations existing in the capacity that they do statewide. His efforts have supported the enrichment of countless lives through art and music, for both those who receive and those who create it. He spent his entire life working to prove that access to the arts is a basic human right.
From all of us who are artists, advocates, administrators, and patrons… thank you, Bill. You fought the good fight for us all.
Chair
Jan enjoys all types of music, but classical is her favorite. She has served on the board of the CSO for many years, considering it to be a great fit for her interests. As an educator at Malone University for over twenty years, her efforts on the CSO education committee are especially important to her.
Member
Dr. Banks is a board certified medical doctor that specializes in infectious diseases. She practices at Mercy Health in Youngstown and has been a board member of the CSO for many years. She believes strongly that classical music, educational programming, and innovative concert experiences allows communities to grow and thrive.
Member
Lauren Capo is the morning show co-host & director of operations for Q92 Radio and has over 20 years of marketing experience. She loves music and wants to see the local community embrace live performance of all genres. “The Canton Symphony Orchestra has such a talented group of musicians and professionals working together that I’m honored to be a part of.”
Member
Linda Casey is the Chief Operating Officer for Post Acute Services at Aultman Hospital. She has spent her entire career of 44 years at Aultman in a variety of nursing and leadership roles. She is also an active volunteer in the community with the Women’s Board of Aultman Hospital and St. Michael Church.
Member
Member
Born and raised in Alton, Illinois, Charles Patrick Gillespie is a engineering graduate of the University of Iowa (where he met his future wife, Joan; now deceased.) Pat spent 38 years in marketing, materials management and program management within Goodyear, Goodyear Aerospace and it’s successors. Retirement afforded the time for indulging in his hobby of bike riding , and a little social service as a support group leader for the Acoustic Neuroma Association.
Member
Alison Jacob joined the CSO Board because, as a Canton native, she wants to help sustain the symphony as one of Stark County’s greatest cultural assets. As a counselor by profession, she knows how important the arts and music can be to personal growth and healing. “You don’t have to have musical talent to be here- just an open mind and heart!”
Member
A native of Canton, Joe Jadick has been involved with the Canton Symphony for over 30 years, first serving on the board in 1992. A graduate of the University of Mount Union, he is a retired IT professional from Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company. He is a local pianist and currently serves as organist and pianist for Trinity Lutheran Church in Kent.
Member
Tiffany Parker Kinnard is the Dean of Students at Walsh University, and brings more than 15 years of expertise in the division of Student Affairs having previously working in Residence Life, Student Conduct, and Multicultural Affairs. TK, as she is affectionately called, is also a community partner in Canton City Schools with the DIVA Leadership program focused on life skills, leadership development, and building confidence in young women.
Member
Elizabeth Good Knutson is Executive Director of Patient Experience at Aultman Hospital. She has also worked in a leadership capacity in the Emergency Department, Employee Education and Development, and Colleague Retention over the past 16 years. Elizabeth received her Master’s of Science in Nursing and Master’s in Business Administration from Case Western Reserve University, and has practiced nursing in San Diego, California, Cleveland, Ohio and Canton, Ohio. Elizabeth currently lives in Dalton, Ohio with her husband Joe.
Member
Jonathan is excited to serve as a trustee. He has had an interest in orchestral music for decades and is an amateur musician as a hobby. Jonathan graduated from Kent State University, is a system engineer for Oriana House in Akron Ohio, and resides in Canton. He also serves on the steering committee of Stark Pride as the co-chair of logistics and on his neighborhood association board.
Member
Bob Leibensperger has been a supporter of the Canton Symphony Orchestra for decades. Bob was co-chairman of the fundraising campaign to construct Zimmermann Symphony Center. Previously, he was the president of Timken Steel, pioneering several manufacturing processes that led Timken to success.
Musicain Representative
Margaret M. “Meg” Matuska has been a member of the second violin section of the Canton Symphony since 1999. She holds a Masters degree from the Cleveland Institute of Music. Meg works as a full-time church musician at Communion of Saints Parish in Cleveland Heights, and is happy to offer her perspective as the musician representative to the CSO board.
Member
Billy Patterson has had an interest in classical music since childhood. He graduated from Mississippi Valley State with a Bachelor of Science degree in Sociology. After graduation, he relocated to Canton, Ohio and was employed as a supervisor with Republic Steel. It was important for me to become acquainted with the Canton community and what it had to offer. He is married and is a father of three children and has five grandchildren.
Member
Bob Porter is Vice President for Gregory Industries, Inc., and has been with Gregory in Canton since 1999. He also has a diverse professional background, having previously worked in healthcare (hospital administration and physician recruiting); and prior to that, student personnel administration & collegiate football coaching at Ashland University. An avid golfer and lifetime student of the culinary arts; his friends & family call him BP or UB (Uncle Bob), and grandkids call him Papa!
Member
Danny Porter currently serves as the Senior Associate Director of Digital Communications at Kent State University. His track record of building grassroots campaigns and mobilizing large supporter bases is demonstrated through his contributions to Obama for America, Everytown for Gun Safety, the Ohio Democratic Party, and the Center for Strategic and International Studies. Notably, Danny also possesses a deep love and passion for choral singing, having performed with the CSO, Columbus Symphony, Choralis, Master Voices, and the Phoenix Boys Choir.
Chorus Representative
Robin has been singing with the Canton Symphony Chorus since 2016 and is honored to serve as its representative on the CSO board. She is passionate about CSO and the transformative power of music, connecting people and positively impacting lives. Robin is the CEO of Seaton Delta Consulting, providing strategic change management services for profit and nonprofit organizations for over 30 years.
Member
Mark has been involved in music since grade school, and entered piano tuning school in 1979, where he continued training with the Steinway Piano company in New York. He has been the piano tuner for the Cleveland Orchestra, Canton Symphony Orchestra, Steinway Piano Gallery of Cleveland, Kent state University Stark, Mount Union University and many other fine local teachers and students. Mr. Shengle feels it is an honor to be more involved in the Canton Symphony Orchestra.
Member
As a board member, Melissa Shiepis is passionate about spreading awareness for the amazing programs the CSO offers. With a background in music and a career in management/development, her goal is to help raise community awareness and involvement in the educational programs offered, from early childhood through adulthood. “Diversifying is so important, as music has the power to influence and shape young minds!”
Treasurer
Kathy is the Director of Rehabilitation Services at Cleveland Clinic Mercy Hospital. She has been on the Canton Symphony board and a member of the Finance Committee since 2018. She became Chair of the Finance Committee in 2020. She has always felt that support of the arts in our community is vital. “The Canton Symphony provides Stark County more than musical talent: it provides a community partner that helps strengthen our culture.”
Member
Jay Spencer is the Evidence Administrator for the Stark County Common Pleas Court. In a previous life, he was Senior Forensic Scientist for the Stark County Crime Laboratory. He has been a constant at the Canton Palace Theatre, being a volunteer for over 35 years. He is the House Organist at the Palace Kilgen Pipe Organ, performing at the Theatre regularly, and is a featured organist for Silent Films accompaniment in Ohio and Pennsylvania. Mr. Spencer is no stranger to the Palace stage, hosting the Stoogefest events, and Rocky Horror PIcture Show among others.
Member
Kyle L. Stone is the Stark County Prosecutor. Stone assumed office as Stark County Prosecutor on January 4th, 2021. Prior to this role, Prosecutor Stone was in private practice in the areas of criminal defense, family law, and personal injury. Prosecutor Stone enjoys spending time with his family and friends, specifically his daughter Keyana, and his granddaughter Brooklyn Nicole.
Member
Robin Zollinger is member of The Timken Company’s finance leadership team and an arts enthusiast. As a lifelong Stark County resident she is thrilled to be part of an organization that brings the work of top talented musicians to our community.