Artistic Operations
Janet Nyquist, General Manager, ext. 222
Prior to coming to LBSO, Janet worked as general manager of the symphony orchestras in San Antonio and Phoenix. By training, she’s a pianist, organist and church choir director with music degrees from Samford University in Alabama and the University of Texas, Austin. She loves to travel, and visiting family and friends is at the top of her itinerary

Kari Regan, Manager of Special Events and Operations, ext. 228
The arts have been an important part of Kari’s life since she was five years old. That’s when she first began to study ballet at the Long Beach Ballet Arts Center. Those early steps led to a lifelong love for the arts—especially ballet and dance. Kari’s time as a performer and student with the Long Beach Ballet gave her the great opportunity of touring both China and Taiwan. Coming to LBSO as a part-time employee, assisting with Crescendo and the Toyota Symphony Golf Classic, Kari moved from education and operations manager to manager of special events and operations in July 2007. She enjoys working with the wonderful LBSO musicians, orchestra staff and the incredibly hardworking volunteers.

Lindsay Pearson, Education Coordinator
Lindsay grew up in a musical house right here in Long Beach, and started piano when she was only four. She added violin when she was 8 (later switching to the viola), and was a student of the LBSO’s very own Allan Carter until she went on to earn her Bachelor’s of Music in Viola Performance from CSULB, as a student of John Hayhurst. She has been very fortunate in her performance opportunities, which have taken her all over the country and the world, from the Max M. Fisher Music Hall (home of the Detroit Symphony), to the Cairo Opera House. Lindsay greatly enjoys her teaching, and is very excited to be giving back to the LBSO’s education programs, as she received so much from them growing up as a student in Long Beach. Lindsay enjoys traveling, hiking, biking, movies, and all different kinds of music and food.

Allan Carter, librarian, ext. 231
In addition to being a longtime resident and fan of California, Allan has been a violinist with LBSO since the early 1970s. Shortly thereafter he took on the job of librarian/stage manager and then focused on being the symphony’s librarian. Besides performing and shuffling music, Allan enjoys teaching the next generation of young violinists and violists. His wife, Stephanie, a former member of LBSO, teaches middle school music in Long Beach. Their son, Doug, is leading the family into jazz via his piano playing.

Ryan Lee, production/stage manager
Working with the LBSO is Ryan's first venture into production management of an Instrumental group; however his prior experience includes many theatrical ventures. He has a triple degree from California State University, Long Beach with focuses in Business Management and Organization Management as well as a degree in Theater Arts. The arts have been a part of Ryan's life from a young age including playing in bands, orchestras, and choirs all his life. He enjoys the opportunity he has to work with such talent artists and all those who help to support the art as well.

Finance and Administration
Donna Thrall, Director of Finance and Administration, ext. 236
Having worked at LBSO for 15 years, Donna is one of the organization’s two longest-serving staff members. After a day of balancing numbers and handling personnel matters, she often goes line dancing. “Somehow dancing puts everything back into perspective,” Donna reports.

Sophia Ramirez, Accounting Assistant, ext. 225

Box Office
Florita Davis, Box Office Manager, ext. 232
Currently in her 17th season at LBSO, Florita is the woman to speak with when you want tickets for Classics or POPS! concerts. She personifies the orchestra’s “welcoming spirit.” Florita says: “I’m fun-loving, strong and, at times, a force to be reckoned with! My nickname around here is Flojo because I’ll go the extra mile for our patrons. I love to fish, eat and hang out with my family and friends. If you ever need me, just holler, ‘Hey, Flojo!’”

Maria Toutai, Administrative Assistant, ext. 220
As a child growing up in Fontana, Maria learned to play the piano and flute. Obviously talented, she won spots in her school’s honor band and honor choir. “My love of music truly brought me to LBSO,” she says. Maria, who moved to Long Beach in 2007, adds that “living here now is a joy, and I still play piano.” This too: “In the box office I hope to learn a fourth of what Florita Davis already knows!”

Marketing and Advertising
Rick Berry, Marketing Manager, ext. 233
Rick is a life-long Long Beach resident, trumpet player, and marketing professional who has enjoyed attending Long Beach Symphony Orchestra concerts since childhood. He has an MBA from Pepperdine and a Certificate in Nonprofit Arts Management from CSULB. Rick has always been active in the community, as past president of the Long Beach Community Band, by logging over 1000 volunteer hours in the Education Department at the Aquarium of the Pacific, and by currently serving on the Board of Directors of Arts & Services for the Disabled, Inc. An avid organic gardener and sustainability advocate, he enjoys living and working in downtown Long Beach, and rides his bicycle to the office most every day. For balance, Rick practices yoga daily and plays jazz trumpet in and around Long Beach.

Development
Susan Swinburne, Director of Development, ext. 226
Susan is an incorrigible classical music junkie, and also enjoys blue grass, classic rock, Celtic music and bagpipes. She feels tremendously lucky to feed her music habit by working at Long Beach Symphony. Music has surrounded Susan all her life; she began studying piano at the age of six, and sang in choirs and school chorales through her school years. After college and a decade banking, Susan has worked in the performing arts since 1994 and says, “our donors at LBSO are wonderful. It’s personal – they love the orchestra and know the musicians. We couldn’t do it without them!” These days, when she is not at the symphony, Susan is studying French or chasing after Oscar, her very boisterous Wheaten Terrier.

Ruth Braden, Development Associate, ext. 227
Ruth, a native of Birmingham, Ala., began her conservatory studies in piano at age 8. She began her flute studies at age 11 and later held the position of principal flute in the Alabama Youth Symphony Orchestra as well as at her high school in Vestavia Hills. Ruth received her bachelor’s degree at the University of Southern Mississippi in flute performance with a minor in business administration. After graduating she interned as a music agent with CHL Artists of Beverly Hills and later worked in artist management. Her hobbies include flute and choir, running, salsa dancing and enriching her life with live performances all over Southern California.