Board
Dr. Roberts joined the Board in 2023, bringing with him a strong commitment to sustaining both public and private support for the Orchestra. With his background as a former semi-professional musician in several regional orchestras on the West and East Coast, he deeply appreciates the important role that groups such as the PCSO play in the artistic life of the community.
Neville Wellman is a contractual CFO and seasoned management professional with over 25 years of experience in strategic planning, finance, and operations. He thrives as a mentor to others to share his knowledge and experience to empower all levels of the organization with a focus on mission, vision, and sustainability. Neville is a collaborator with senior management and boards in areas of responsibility for internal controls, budgeting, annual audit and tax returns, legal and regulatory matters, and long-term planning. He has been active in stabilizing organizations and providing leadership to promote sensible growth.
When not consulting, Neville enjoys traveling the world and experiencing new cultures with his wife. At home, he is an avid gardener, chef and cat enthusiast.
Barb brings a life-long love for music to the PCSO Board, having grown up hearing the Chicago Symphony Orchestra and being a season subscriber in other cities where she’s lived. After moving to the Portland area almost a decade ago and enjoying its many opportunities to hear live classical music, she and her husband have found PCSO to be their clear top choice. She’s been impressed by the orchestra’s efforts to diversify both its audiences and its programming and welcomes the opportunity to further support the orchestra’s mission of making classical music more accessible.
Aliza Fox has been on the PCSO Board since Fall 2021. Being on the lookout for a new board seat, she wanted to be discerning and find a role that aligned with her passions. Music was introduced to her at an early age, and she began playing piano at just four years old. Developing proficiency, she pursued piano performance studies at Portland State University. While Aliza eventually changed majors and shifted her career path (now a private banker), music has remained a constant in her life. Upon learning of the opportunity to join PCSO, Aliza recognized it as the perfect fit. Little did she know that she would be joining such a remarkable group of individuals and becoming part of the rich history of PCSO.
Gail joined the PCSO Board as the Orchestra Representative in early 2023. After relocating to the Portland area in 2009, she embarked on a quest to find her musical community, eventually leading her to the PCSO. Since joining as a playing member in 2013, she has found immense joy in being part of the orchestra. Gail appreciates the opportunity to work with the wonderful people on the Board, who make it possible for this fantastic orchestra to exist, and bring tons of exciting and beautiful music to our community.
Jason has been active in the performing arts his whole life, and professionally for over 30 years. He has sung and played piano since he was a child, and as a theatre professional, performed in and produced many musicals. As Co-Artistic Director of a theatre company, Jason collaboratively selected the plays to be performed, was primarily responsible for all fundraising, oversaw and helped create all marketing plans, and handled all contracting for union actors and sub-contractors.
Jason recently obtained an MA in Organizational Leadership from Gonzaga University, which affirmed the interpersonal skills he developed in his career in theatre, while expanding those skills and creating new understanding in how to serve organizations’ planning and development needs.
Jason currently serves as President of the Board of his temple, Congregation Kol Ami. He recently moved up to this position after serving as Vice President and Treasurer. When he was treasurer, he reconceptualized the temple’s annual gala, resulting in the congregation’s most successful gala ever, exceeding fundraising goals by over $20,000. As President, he oversees strategic planning through the growth of the congregation, as well as the daily operations of the temple.
Jason lives in Tualatin, OR with his wife, Kirsten, and his two sons Ethan (19) and Leif (10). Kirsten’s job as a flight attend allows them to travel frequently-a perk the whole family enjoys. He enjoys good food, good coffee, good wine, and good conversations with good friends.
Curt moved to Portland in 1980 upon college graduation. Having grown up in a newspaper family, Curt secured a job in publishing and spent 25 years in various positions ending as Senior VP of Marketing, TV Guide//News Corp. The position required extensive travel and time away, when his son arrived in 2000 Curt started scaling back while also funding a startup retail business. After retiring from TVG, Curt worked as the GM of the home furnishing stores until 2012. Curt raised his son and guided him through school years resulting in his college graduation. Over the years Curt has served on several boards. Curt served on the PCPA (Portland’5) board including a year as president. He remains active in the community and with social causes and the arts.
John has been a member of the Portland Columbia Symphony Orchestra since 2013. He thoroughly enjoys the opportunities to perform with the orchestra, finding it a fulfilling experience. In the Summer of 2022, John joined the PCSO Board intending to help further the mission of the orchestra for both its audience and its musicians.
Sponsored by Col. Mary J. Mayer, USAF (Ret)
Carol joined the PCSO Board when the Pandemic was in full swing in 2020. Anticipating retirement and having spent many years working with performing and fine arts organizations nationwide, she sought a way to stay involved and contribute meaningfully to the arts. After attending the PSCO Gala in 2020, Carol felt sure she had identified the opportunity she wanted to pursue. At the Gala, it had deeply impressed Carol with the high quality of the Orchestra and the warm and welcoming atmosphere she encountered. Seeing PCSO’s potential to deliver an enriching concert music experience to a broader Portland audience, she felt compelled to join the Board to assist with their efforts.
Ann first learned of PCSO when she auditioned and won the English horn position in the orchestra. After joining the Board in 2011, Ann took some time away and is now serving her second stint. In PCSO, Ann recognized the potential for bringing classical orchestral music to people in a more personal and approachable manner. Witnessing the orchestra’s growth in artistic vision over the past 20 years has been a rewarding experience for her. Ann eagerly anticipates what the next 20 years will bring for the orchestra.
Chalayne served on the Board years ago and savored the music, friendships, and unique experiences she found through PCSO. The opportunity arose for her to rejoin the Board, and she has been delighted to observe how the orchestra has advanced in the intervening years. She looks forward to stimulating concerts and conversations as she serves her term as Treasurer.
Steven Byess is a dynamic and passionate conductor, hailed by critics as “masterful and brilliant,” “creating the epitome of instrumental elegance,” and capturing “the full spirit and vitality of the score perfectly.” Recognized for his musical versatility, multi-faceted presence on the podium, and passion for music education, he is devoted to promoting a life-long love and enthusiasm for music and the arts.
Steven is celebrating his 10th season as Music Director of the Portland Columbia Symphony Orchestra. Also, he serves as the music director of the Arkansas Philharmonic Orchestra and the North Mississippi Symphony Orchestra. He conducted the U.S. premiere of Russian violinist Alexander Markov’s Rock Concerto at Carnegie Hall in New York. He was selected by Walt Disney World Entertainment to conduct the 2000 NFL E*TRADE Super Bowl Halftime show, where he performed for a television audience of 88 million fans.
As a passionate advocate for the arts, Steven is sought after for his speeches on the arts, music, and education and has organized collaborations with numerous choruses, chamber music ensembles, and festivals. He wrote and co-directed a PBS presentation, Count On It!, designed to connect music and mathematics for children grades K-3. Since 2013, he has shared this passion with over 85,000 children around the country as a conductor of the Carnegie Hall Weill Music Institute Link Up orchestral education concerts.
A prolific conductor of opera from grand to contemporary, his performances include Puccini’s La Bohème and a critically acclaimed production of Robert Ward’s The Crucible at the International Vocal Arts Institute in Tel Aviv, Israel; Puccini’s Madama Butterfly with Greensboro Opera; Bizet’s Carmen with Emerald City Opera (Colorado); Copland’s The Tender Land, Sullivan’s H.M.S. Pinafore and The Pirates of Penzance, and a collaboration with composer Ricky Ian Gordon on his opera “27” with Intermountain Opera (Montana); and Weill’s Street Scene and Sullivan’s The Pirates of Penzance with the Eastman School of Music Opera Theatre. Steven has been a guest conductor at the Pine Mountain Music Festival in Michigan for their productions of Le tragédie de Carmen (Bizet/Brook), a highly acclaimed production of Leonard Bernstein’s Candide, collaborating with the composer’s daughter Jamie Bernstein, and Mozart’s Die Zauberflöte.
Steven is the former associate music director of the Ohio Light Opera, where he conducted over 80 productions and 21 commercial recordings, including repertoire ranging from well- to little-known operas and operettas to blockbuster classic American musical theater works.
In the 2023-2024 season, Steven will conduct over 60 symphonic performances around the U.S., including 12 premieres, and will also conduct ballet productions of The Nutcracker, Giselle, and Coppélia, and the Finals Round of the Cleveland International Piano Competition – Youth Division in July 2023.
Maestro Byess’ podium is sponsored by Grant & Gretchen Hatton and Lindsay & Christopher Kolar
Leading arts organizations to achieve programmatic and financial success is Kevin Irving’s reputation, earned over more than 30 years in the field. A rare dancer whose performance career spanned multiple disciplines, Kevin’s professional history is marked by bold leaps, increasing responsibilities, positive outcomes, and a dynamic personality that aims to help people connect with each other and to their community.
Following a performance career that included work with luminaries such as Alvin Ailey, Twyla Tharp, and notables from classical and contemporary ballet, Irving was invited to join Spanish choreographer Nacho Duato, as rehearsal director and later Associate Director of Compañía Nacional de Danza, in Madrid. He later went on to direct The Göteborg Ballet in Sweden for five years and is credited with turning around the company during his tenure. After returning to the USA in 2007, Irving established a non-profit, I-DANCE, which connected American choreographers and teachers with dance communities in South and Central America.
In 2013 he became the third Artistic Director of Oregon Ballet Theatre, a position that earned Kevin renown in the Northwest arts community. While at OBT, he launched the successful junior company (OBT2), doubled Education/Community Engagement initiatives, led a full re-branding effort, and won praise for multiple artistic and organizational collaborations that produced new audiences. Seventy percent of new ballets commissioned during his tenure were by female or BIPOC-identified choreographers, reflecting Kevin’s attention to the evolution of ballet as an art form in the 21st Century.
Kevin and his partner (now husband) of 31 years, choreographer Nicolo Fonte, enjoy Portland and the Pacific Northwest lifestyle. They combine an active life in the arts with many fresh air activities that involve their cherished mini-pinscher Ziggy.
Photo by Michael Slobodian
Mark provides full service banking relationships to high-net-worth individuals and families in Portland. An experienced business and private banker who began his career in 2008. he is highly respected across various commercial sectors, including nonprofit, healthcare, manufacturing, and professional services. He forges close relationships with clients to understand their unique needs and develop customized solutions that help them meet their business and financial goals.
Mark holds a bachelor’s degree in management from the University of Iowa Tippie College of Buainess, and a degree in culinary arts, hospitality administration and management from the New England Culinary Institute.
Mark has served on a number of not for profit boards in the arts and humanity arenas and is an avid fan of classical music as well as just about all music genres.