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 is bringing specialty Jacksonville Symphony Ensembles to Nassau County twice a season.
- ARIAS has reinstituted shuttle bus service from Amelia Island as well as Yulee to 8 classical music programs in Jacoby Symphony Hall for the Jacksonville Symphony’s 75th Anniversary season.
- ARIAS members will receive discounts on ARIAS sponsored events.
- ARIAS is resuming music education support for over 5000 Nassau County students. This includes Symphony Ensembles for elementary and middle school performances. The Instrument Zoo for 4th & 5th graders has been redesigned and was implemented in the spring of 2023.
- 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.
Patricia Clifford
Treasurer
Patti holds her MBA from George Mason University and passed the CPA exam in Virginia. Her accounting career has included stints in retail, health care, environmental engineering, non-profit organizations, the University of Tennessee, and government. After having visited her parents in Fernandina Beach for 10 years, she eventually moved here in 2004 as the Controller for the City of Fernandina Beach. Patti has been very active over the years serving at various times on the Board of several accounting chapters, Treasurer of her Homeowners Association, the Kraft Tennis Club, Amelia Lifelong Learning, Secretary of the neighborhood Architectural Review Board and volunteer with Fernandina Beach Main Street.
In her “spare time” Patti enjoys playing tennis, learning Mah Jongg, and waking up to her rescue dog, Zoe. She has a grown son living in California with whom she enjoys outdoor adventures.
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.