DPAA Celebrates Artistic Growth and Organizational Momentum at Annual Meeting

Annual meeting highlights artistic collaboration, community reach, philanthropic support, and leadership transitions

DAYTON, OH (June 22, 2026) —The Dayton Performing Arts Alliance (DPAA) concluded the 2025–2026 Season at its June 18 Annual Meeting of the Board of Trustees, highlighting artistic achievement, community impact, and organizational momentum across the Philharmonic, Opera, and Ballet.

The meeting celebrated Keitaro Harada’s inaugural year as Music and Artistic Director of the Dayton Philharmonic Orchestra. His visionary and explorative approach elevated both the orchestra and the concertgoing experience, bringing fresh energy and creativity to the stage. From featuring internationally acclaimed guest artists to inviting audience members on stage during performances, Harada fostered a dynamic and deeply engaging connection between musicians and the community. His first season reflected a bold artistic vision that honored tradition while embracing innovation, expanding audiences and reinforcing the orchestra’s role as a vibrant cultural force in Dayton.

The season also featured several standout collaborative performances that highlighted the power of artistic partnership across the Dayton community. Rhythm of the City, created in collaboration with Dayton Contemporary Dance Company, delivered an electrifying celebration of funk music and movement that captivated audiences. Another major highlight, Directors Presents: American Soundscapes, brought all three DPAA art forms together on the Schuster Center stage in a dynamic showcase of artistic unity and creativity. Both productions were crowd-pleasing successes that energized audiences, strengthened community connections, and demonstrated the exciting possibilities that can only be found in Dayton.

The Dayton Performing Arts Alliance reached more than 67,000 students and adults through its Learning and Community Engagement programs in the 2025–2026 Season. This included 444 in-school presentations by DPAA’s Philharmonic ensembles, Opera Artists in Residence, Ballet Studio Company, and Ballet School performers, as well as 23 additional community engagement events. DPAA’s participatory programs continue to thrive, with 184 students enrolled in Youth Orchestras and Q the Music; 289 students and adults participating in Ballet School programming (in 47 weekly classes); and 171 active EnCorps volunteers supporting this vital work.

In addition to its artistic and educational achievements, the Dayton Performing Arts Alliance celebrated significant progress behind the scenes as it continued building on a strong foundation of financial stewardship. Since fiscal year 2019, contributed support has grown substantially, reflecting continued community investment in DPAA’s mission, leadership, and long-term vision. These accomplishments underscore DPAA’s momentum and  commitment to sustaining  a vibrant future for the performing arts in Dayton.

Board of Trustee Officer Elections
The Board of Trustees elected the following Officers for the term beginning​ July 1, 2026​: ​Joseph Zehenny​, Chair; Patricia McDonald​, Vice Chair; Rodney Veal, Secretary; Rev. Joshua Ward​, Assistant Secretary; Timothy Riordan​, Treasurer; and Patrick Martin, Assistant Treasurer. The Board also honored past Chair Dr. Ed Tomme by naming him an Emeritus Trustee and recognized Kathleen Clawson and Neal Gittleman with the title of Artistic Director and Music and Artistic Director Emeritus.

Welcoming New Trustees
DPAA welcomed four new members to its Board of Trustees. These trustees will serve a two-year term, beginning on July 1, 2026.

Chandler Martin – Chief of Staff, Accelevation
Chandler Martin is Chief of Staff at Accelevation and an organizational leader with over 15 years of experience in technology, operations, and human capital. A graduate of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, he began his career at Red Ventures, where he held leadership roles across sales, workforce management, and human capital, later serving as Chief of Staff to the CEO. Before joining Accelevation, Martin spent five years at Zocdoc as Senior Director of People, leading global teams across recruiting, learning and development, and workplace experience. He previously served on the board of the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Library and now lives in the Dayton area with his wife and two daughters.

Dr. Laura Middleton – Clinical Child and Pediatric Psychologist, Dayton Children’s Hospital
Dr. Laura Middleton earned a PhD and MA in Clinical Psychology with a specialty in Behavioral Medicine from the University of Kansas and completed postdoctoral fellowships at the University of Washington and Madigan Army Medical Center. She is a Clinical Child and Pediatric Psychologist at Dayton Children’s Hospital, where she has worked for nearly 12 years providing therapy, assessments, and support for children with behavioral, emotional, developmental, and medical challenges. She also serves as a Clinical Assistant Professor at Wright State University. Passionate about community service, Dr. Middleton currently serves as president of the Oakwood Board of Education and volunteers with several local organizations. She and her husband, a retired Air Force pilot now with American Airlines, have two daughters and have called Oakwood home since 2012.

Dr. Schneata Shyne Turner – Retired, United States Air Force
Dr. Schneata Shyne-Turner is a visionary leader and accomplished musician with a PhD in Organization & Management (Human Resources). She brings expertise in governance, workforce development, and diversity leadership, along with decades of experience as a composer, choir director, and producer. During her career with the U.S. Air Force, she led organizational development and inclusion initiatives that strengthened leadership accountability and institutional culture. Deeply committed to the performing arts and community engagement, Dr. Shyne-Turner has collaborated with the Dayton Philharmonic Orchestra on original compositions, produced large-scale community events, and directed choirs across civic and faith-based organizations. Known for building collaborative partnerships, she combines strategic leadership with artistic vision to advance inclusive cultural programming and strengthen community connections throughout Dayton.

Jamie Fisher – Interim Dean of Intervention, National Heritage Academies
Jamie Fisher is an experienced nonprofit and education leader with expertise in social work, program development, and organizational leadership. She serves as Interim Dean of Intervention at National Heritage Academies, where she leads multidisciplinary teams, oversees student intervention strategies, and supports organizational operations and compliance. Previously, she held leadership roles at Agape for Youth, directing programs and leading fundraising initiatives. Fisher earned an MBA from Youngstown State University and a BA in Social Work from Wright State University. A licensed social worker and member of Leadership Dayton’s Class of 2026, she is dedicated to community engagement, collaborative leadership, and improving outcomes for children and families across the Dayton region.

Returning Trustees and Board Transitions
In addition to electing new trustees, DPAA re-elected several current trustees to additional terms on the Board of Trustees. Elected to a second two-year term were Libby Ballengee, Ashley Bethard, Jim Butler, Xavier Johnson, Patrick Martin, Peggy McQuiston, Shannon Joyce Neal, Tim Riordan, John Tate, and Abbie Trittschuh. Michael Howard and Rodney Veal were elected to a third two-year term, while Ron Anderson, Barbara O’Hara, and Joseph Zehenny were elected to a fourth two-year term. All terms begin July 1, 2026.

The Board also recognized outgoing Trustees MK Haddad, Scott Jones, Burt Saidel, and Rick Thie for their dedicated service and meaningful contributions to DPAA and its mission.

Honoring Kathleen Clawson’s Legacy
The Annual Meeting also celebrated the impactful tenure of Kathleen Clawson, Artistic Director of the Dayton Opera. Clawson announced her intention to step down in February of 2026. Clawson has been a transformative leader for Dayton Opera, directing productions since 2008 and serving as Artistic Director since 2021. Under her leadership, ticket sales increased by 112%, driven by an audience-focused artistic vision that introduced new productions, Dayton Opera premieres, and performances featuring internationally acclaimed artists. Clawson leveraged industry relationships to bring star talent to Dayton while fostering strong community connections among returning performers. A champion of inclusion, diversity, equity, and accessibility, she expanded opportunities for underrepresented artists and created welcoming entry points for new audiences through productions such as South Pacific and Sweeney Todd. Deeply committed to education and mentorship, she elevated Dayton Opera’s Artists in Residence program and nurtured emerging vocal talent. Her leadership leaves a lasting legacy and a strong foundation for incoming Artistic Director Chandler Johnson, who will build upon that momentum while guiding Dayton Opera into its next chapter.

Artistic Appointments and Departures
In addition to recognizing Kathleen Clawson’s departure, the DPAA Board of Trustees also recognized with gratitude other personnel who retire in June 2026, including the following longtime members of the Dayton Philharmonic Orchestra: Phil Enzweiler (violin, 47 years); Betsey Hofeldt (violin, 38 years); Mark Hofeldt (cello, 38 years); and Todd Fitter (horn, 42 years). These esteemed musicians were honored for their decades of artistry and dedication during the Masterworks concerts on June 5 and 6.

As the Philharmonic honors these remarkable careers, it also looks ahead to the 2026–2027 Season with the appointment of several outstanding new musicians who will continue the orchestra’s tradition of artistic excellence. New appointments include Koko Watanabe, Assistant Concertmaster; Will Stevens, Second Oboe; Krista Weiss, Second Clarinet/E-flat Clarinet; Sarah Yarbrough, Fourth Horn; Eli Ross, Principal Trumpet; and Adam Almeter, Principal Trombone.

The season also marks a significant transition for Dayton Ballet, as longtime dancer Isaac Jones retires after nine years with the company. A dedicated artist and respected leader both on and off the stage, Jones brought passion, discipline, and artistry to every performance and leaves a lasting impact on the Dayton Ballet community.