Forty years of Presentation Ball History.
For forty years, the Dallas Symphony Orchestra League Presentation Ball has stood as one of Texas’ most enduring and elegant traditions. In 2026, it did far more than honor history. It made it.
This year also marked 80 years of League leadership and 125 years of the Dallas Symphony Orchestra. Milestones like that do not happen by accident. They happen because many generations choose to protect and elevate something that matters. The evening honored that legacy while clearly signaling strength, momentum, and new dynamic energy.
Claire Catrino graciously stepped into the role of League President during this anniversary season. She recognized Michelle Miller Burns, The Ross Perot President and CEO of the Dallas Symphony Orchestra, and Roger Gault, Chair of the DSO Board of Governors, acknowledging the vital partnership between the League and the Orchestra.
Under the direction of Ball Co Chairs Maggie Kipp and Kristin Hallam, this ruby anniversary year delivered record underwriting dollars raised and a level of enthusiasm that could be felt the moment guests entered the room. Red was chosen intentionally for the 40th year. Bold. Confident. Celebratory.
Forty four debutantes were presented with honor, accompanied by their Honor Guard, continuing a tradition that remains one of the most meaningful in our city. And yet the evening did not feel nostalgic. It felt alive. The energy was over the top. The dance floor stayed full until well after midnight. This was not simply about looking back. It was about moving forward with clarity and conviction.
What made this year different was not just the numbers, though they were historic. It was the leadership. It was the alignment. It was the presence of some of the most influential families in Texas standing behind an institution that has shaped the cultural fabric of Dallas for more than a century.
The Presentation Ball has always represented grace and tradition. In 2026, it also represented discipline, strength, and momentum.
A ruby anniversary, yes. But more importantly, a record setting, future defining year.
Long time symphony supporters Fanchon and Howard Hallam were the Honorary Chairs. Howard has maintained a distinguished and enduring relationship with the Dallas Symphony Orchestra (DSO) for nearly four decades, having served on the Board of Governors since 1987, including terms as President and later as Chairman of the Board from 1990-1995. Fanchon and Howard’s leadership gift was instrumental in establishing the Kim Noltemy Young Musicians Program, one of the programs that the Ball supports. The Hallams endowed the DSO Co-Concert Master Chair and is the named sponsor for Basically Beethoven Hallam Concerts.
Master of Ceremonies Stan Gardner formally introduced each of the debutantes, who performed the traditional Texas Dip bow—a full court bow, perfected under the guidance of Densil Adams and Mia Davis. Each debutante was accompanied by an Honor Guard escort, highlighting the deep-rooted traditions that make this event so special.
Steve Kemble along with Junior from Garden Gate and Tom Addis made the Meyerson a ruby-toned dream of palest pinks to deepest burgundies. Many longtime supporters said they had never seen the Meyerson looking more gorgeous. The pink and burgundy dance floor was put to great use late into the evening!
Family legacies were woven throughout the 40th celebration year. Claire Catrino, herself a 2011 debutante leading the League during this milestone year, is the first past debutante to be President of the League. Through the years, Fanchon and Howard Hallam’s children and grandchildren have been Debutantes and Honor Guard. For this special evening, three Hallam Family Honor Guard participated: Hite Hallam, Hale Hallam and Benton Lynch. Debutante mom Lee Thompson was presented in the second year of the Presentation Ball and husband David was her Honor Guard Escort. They watched as their second daughter Margaret made her debut and the Cox family also celebrated a second debutante daughter with Cate’s debut. The Stiles family saw the presentation of a third daughter Charlotte, a testament to the meaningful traditions that continue through generations.
Belinda and Lance Hancock experienced a full-circle moment watching their son, Mark, serve as an Honor Guard, 40 years after Lance served in the inaugural group of Honor Guards at the very first Presentation Ball. Co-Chair Kristin Hallam’s husband James, is a former Honor Guard, and they watched with pride as their twin sons carried the tradition forward as well.
Special recognition goes to Barbara and Don Averitt who have assisted the debutantes since the first ball and have been instrumental with helping to maintain continuity and tradition for the event. And to the Ball Committee Nancy Gopez, Sarah Mills, Annabel Toole, Stephanie Hunt, Mari Epperson, Christine Winn, Belinda Hancock, Nancy Labadie, Marena Gault, Sandy Ammons and Sharon Ballew. And very special thanks go to the supportive partners James Hallam, John Griffiths and Michael Catrino.
Following the formal presentation, the Debutantes and Honor Guard assembled on stage for a final tribute to their Presentation Season. The debutantes then joined their fathers on the dance floor for the cherished Grand Waltz, a moment of elegance and sentiment. A formal seated dinner and dancing with music by the Jordan Kahn Orchestra concluded the unforgettable evening.
In a grand symphony of legacy, elegance, and generosity, the 2026 DSOL Presentation Ball was a true celebration of the Dallas community’s enduring commitment to music, tradition, and the future.
The 2026 Debutantes: Claire Francis Andrews, Madeline Grace Behrens, Claire Louise Bradshaw, Ryan Ella Marie Brown, Eleanor Baxter Browne, Meredith Lilly Burkhart, Jaya Fields Cagle, Catherine Sophia Cox, Larkin McKay Devening, Marbella Mora Duarte, Sophie Elizabeth Dybala, Kathryne Grace Eastin, Gisele Mary Rose Enrico, Ashley Shannon Goldman, Stella Jane Grabham, MaKenna Loy Harvey, Elizabeth Ann Hautt, Jane Penny Hochman, Madeleine Christine Jenkins, Livia Grace Lange, Charlotte Bryant Lauten, Madeline Mae Mayer, Sue Sealy McGowin, Attales Grace Meyer, Elizabeth Catherine Nance, Madelyn Leigh Neuhoff, Carly Nicole Polka, Chloe Olivia Polka, Rachel Camille Rader, Sofia Marie Reyes, Marlo Elizabeth Rivas, Campbell Ann Schultz, Kathleen Brooks Searcy, Lindy Kate Smith, Sienna Alexis Stagen, Tessa Elizabeth Stephenson, Charlotte Spencer Stiles, Harper Catherine Tagg, Margaret Lee Thompson, Corinne Elizabeth Tinker, Georgia Bedell Williamson, Virginia Anne Wilson, Olivia Constance Zambrano, and Elena Catherine Zeballos.
The 2026 Honor Guard: Patrick Burke Arthur, Robert Scott Behrens, Carl Martin Blumenschein, Cadet Dale Thomas Bailey Booth, Michael Louis Boren, Thomas George Boren, Alexander Douglas Boyd, Matthew Douglas Bracken, Evan Clarence Brown, John Charles Bullard, Stephen Key Coker, Jr., William Kearns Collet, Joseph Robert Copeland, Carter Lewis Cox, Cade Randolph Devening, Michael McKane Groover, Matthew Hale Hallam, James Hite Hallam, Mark Russell Hancock, Mark Stuart Hardaway, Jr., Henry Wilfredo Hernandez, Alan James Hunt, George Harris Jones, Luke Benjamin Lange, James Hunter Lee, John Thomas Liptack, Benton Ross Lynch, Ryan Nicholas McCord, Midshipman First Class Hayden Cade McCullough, Stanley Warner McGowin, Jr., Matthew James Melcher, Vance Calvin Miller III, Vaughn Sebastian Miller, Jr., Edward Blake Miller, James Bosler Miltenberger, Robert Steele Peacock, Garrett Frost Sampson, Jack Taylor Schlafer, Scott Peterson Sealy III, William Conner Searcy, Maximiliano James Siguenza, Calder Crook Sinak, Joseph Miles Smith, Calum Fitzgerald Taylor, Landon Dean Tinker, Georgios Angelo Touris, Daniel Stephens Waggoner, Knox Allen Wagoner, Harrison Miles Ward, Carter Harrison Weigand, Heinrich Molsen Wicklund, and Steven Robert Williamson, Jr.
About the Dallas Symphony Orchestra League
The Dallas Symphony Orchestra League is the largest of its kind in the nation. It is an organization of volunteers who support the Dallas Symphony Association through service, education and fundraising activities.
Since 1946, the DSO League has embraced the mission to support the Dallas Symphony Orchestra through service, education and fundraising efforts. The Dallas Symphony Orchestra League has contributed more than $25 million in support of the Dallas Symphony Association’s Community Outreach and Education programs, which help bring the wonder of music to thousands of youths and adults in the Dallas area.
Photos by Gittings Portraiture and Danny Campbell
Photos by Gittings Portraiture
Groups, Co-Chairs and Guests
1 ©GittingsFGR_3144- Group w chairs: Maggie Kipp, Claire Catrino, Kristin Hallam
2 ©Gittings FGR_3153e– Debs and HG
3 ©Gittings FGR_3180– Committee and Chairs
Front row: Nancy Gopez, Claire Catrino, Sarah Mills. Second row: Annabel Toole, Maggie Kipp, Kristin Hallam, Stephanie Hunt. Back Row: Mari Epperson, Christine Winn, Belinda Hancock, Nancy Labadie, Marena Gault, Sharon Ballew.
4 ©Gittings FGR_3205 Assembly and Honor Guard
First Row: Margaret Bracken, Ryan McCord, Matthew Melcher, Emily Young, Annabeth Winn, Key Coker, Jr. Second row: Knox Wagoner, Paige Williams, Katie Kottwitz, Alli McWhorter, Elizabeth Hunt, Isabel Knight, Harison Ward. Back row: Kennedy Downing, Danielle Ward, Daniel Waggoner, Emily Hea. Back Row: Robert Peacock, John Bullard, Alan Hunt, Burke Arthur, Jack Schlafer.
Photos by Danny Campbell
Co-Chairs, Groups, and Guests
DJC-1 John Griffiths, Maggie Kipp, Claire and Michael Catrino
DJC-7 Michael and Claire Catrino
DJC-8 Kristin and James Hallam, John Griffiths, Maggie Kipp
DJC-30 Maggie Kipp, Claire Catrino, Kristin Hallam
DJC-53 Michelle Miller Burns and Claire Catrino
DJC-54 Michelle Miller Burns and Gary Burns
DJC-61 Lance Hancock, John Griffiths, Maggie Kipp
DJC-76 Charlotte Stiles
DJC-84 James and Kristin Hallam, Michael and Claire Catrino, John Griffiths, Maggie Kipp
DJC-92 Ryan Brown, Harper Tagg
DJC-107 Lee and David Thompson
DJC-146 scene
DJC-164 Scene
DJC-205 Mitchell Ward, Maurice West
DJC-224 Meredith Grabham
DJC-234 scene
DJC-238 Erin Nealy and John Cox
DJC-245 Dan and Audrey Tinker
DJC-255 David Browne, Shonn and Ryan Brown, Jason Bradshaw, Keith Behrens
DJC-276 Ashley Goldman, Marlo Rivas
DJC-281 Chloe, Randall and Carly Polka
DJC-310 Margaret and David Thompson, Harper and Paul Tagg
DJC-312 John and Tessa Stephenson
DJC-335 Georgia Williamson, Corinne Tinker, Margaret Thompson, Harper Tagg, Charlotte Stiles
DJC-345 scene
DJC-348 scene
DJC-350 scene
DJC-362 Fanchon and Howard Hallam
DJC-363 Lyndal and Richard Greth
DJC-367 Scene
Photos by Danny Campbell
STAGE
DJC-18 Assembly
DJC-28 Honor Guard
DJC-33 Claire and Jerry Andrews
DJC-50 Madeline Behrens, Robert Behrens
DJC-56 Claire Bradshaw
DJC-59 Claire Bradshaw, Key Coker, Jr.
DJC-61 Ryan Brown
DJC-73 Ryan Brown, Joseph Copeland
DJC-90 Lilly and John Burkhart
DJC-108 Jaya Cagle, Ryan McCord
DJC-165 Gisele and Aaron Enrico
DJC-208 McKenna and John Harvey
DJC-232 Elizabeth Hautt and Daniel Waggoner
DJC-258 Livia and Ben Lange
DJC-266 Livia Lange wearing Michael Faircloth’s final deb gown before retiring
DJC-632 Grand Tableau
DJC-634 Grand Tableau
DJC-636 Grand Tableau
DJC-637 Grand Tableau
DJC-641 Grand Tableau