ABOUT
ARIAS is a 501(c)(3) organization affiliated with the Jacksonville Symphony. The mission is to increase awareness of the Jacksonville Symphony in Nassau County, encourage Nassau County resident attendance at performances in Jacoby Symphony Hall and enhance Music Education in Nassau County Schools.
- ARIAS plans to bring a Jacksonville Symphony Ensemble to Nassau County for a public concert twice a year.
- ARIAS is diligently working to bring the Jacksonville Symphony to visit Amelia Island for a concert as part of its 75th Anniversary (‘24/25 Season).
- ARIAS members receive discounts for bus transportation from Amelia Island to select Symphony performances in Jacoby Symphony Hall.
- ARIAS members receive discounts on ARIAS sponsored events on Amelia Island.
- ARIAS provides music education support for over five thousand Nassau County students. This includes the New Modified Instrument Zoo for elementary schools, Symphony Ensembles for elementary and middle school performances, and the new Conductor in Our School program for High School students.
- ARIAS supports the Jacksonville Symphony through contributions and Board representation.
ARIAS Board Members
Sherilyn Van Orden
President
Sheri hails from Philadelphia but raised her family in Albany, NY. She has lived in NYC, NJ, MO, and VA before moving to Fernandina Beach in 2012. Sheri holds a BS in Marketing and an MBA and spent her entire career in marketing and sales. Her lifelong avocation has been in music and has sung with a number of auditioned choral groups as well as served on their boards, development and search committees. Since 2014, she has sung with the Jacksonville Symphony Chorus and is currently on the Jacksonville Symphony Development Committee. She has two grown sons and 6 grandchildren. Retired since 2017, Sheri enjoys spending time with her family, church activities, the cultural arts, travel, and architecture.
Alwynne Lamp
Secretary
Alwynne has served on the ARIAS board since 2018, several years after arriving in Fernandina from South Florida. From her childhood in Australia and several years as a teen in London, she developed a love for classical music through piano lessons, choral singing and opportunities to attend excellent concerts. She is a retired school counselor who has enjoyed singing alto with the Amelia Island Singers and the Jacksonville Symphony Chorus. She has two adult daughters, one of whom is an opera singer. In addition to her musical interests, Alwynne works occasionally as a proctor for the School District of Nassau County and enjoys photography, gardening and travel.
Lyle Thompson
Education Chairman
Lyle has been an ARIAS Board member for a number of years. As a retired school music educator, Lyle works directly with the Nassau County Schools to promote all areas of music education. In our community, Lyle is a performing musician in both vocal and instrumental music. He is a member of the Nassau Community and Jazz Bands, sings with choirs, and is the director of the Handbell Choir at Amelia Baptist Church. In addition, he can often be found playing in the pit orchestra at the Amelia Musical Playhouse.
Jeanne Conner
Event Chairman
Jeanne is currently a freelance harpsichordist, having given organ and harpsichord recitals throughout Florida since 1972. She has a B.M. and M.M. from the Eastman School of Music and for two years studied organ with Jean Langlais in Paris, France and harpsichord at the Paris Conservatory. Jeanne is a retired church organist, college instructor and private teacher. She also had a second career as a real estate appraiser, serving as the compliance officer for the residential appraisal division of Bank of America. Supporting good music and talented musicians in North Florida enhances the quality of life for everyone in our area and is extremely important to her.
MARY ANN ROOD
COMMUNICATIONS
Mary Ann is a writer and consultant with background that includes branding, advertising, public relations, direct marketing, corporate communications, employee communications, consumer affairs, cause-related marketing, crisis communications, community and public affairs.
She has worked in both the agency and corporate settings, including as director of communications and public affairs for Ocean Spray Cranberries. After moving to Fernandina Beach in 2018 she continues to serve clients across the country, as well as many local volunteer organizations and activities. She is a lifelong symphony enthusiast starting with her childhood love of flute playing. She also spent many years studying in ballet studios, beginning in childhood in Des Moines and then in Minneapolis, Chicago and Boston.
Susan Kosciulek
At-large and former Instrument Zoo
Susan was a longtime volunteer for Instrument Zoo and was in charge of school scheduling and volunteer scheduling for many years. It was always such fun to watch the 4th graders be introduced to musical instruments. She is a snowbird who spends time in Florida and a suburb of Chicago. Susan has a degree from Northwestern University. She has primarily worked in sales for industrial cutting tool companies before retirement. She is an active volunteer with many local organizations.