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Our Team Slide

Meet Our Team

STAFF
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

Evan Gidley
FINANCE ADMINISTRATOR

Layla Wells
OPERATIONS MANAGER

Emily Cotten

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

Evan Gidley

Evan Gidley has served as Executive Director of the Cincinnati Chamber Orchestra since May 2022. Prior to this appointment, he held the position of Orchestra Personnel Manager with the Columbus (OH) Symphony Orchestra, where he assisted in leading the organization’s robust community outreach program. Evan received his MM in Saxophone Performance from the College-Conservatory of Music at the University of Cincinnati, and he remains active as a freelance saxophonist and private lesson instructor.

FINANCE ADMINISTRATOR

Layla Wells

Layla Wells is the Finance Administrator for Summermusik, where she manages the organization’s financial operations and supports strategic planning through clear, accurate reporting. A licensed CPA and QuickBooks Certified ProAdvisor, she brings a strong background in tax, bookkeeping, and small business consulting. Originally from Cincinnati, Layla holds both a Bachelor’s and Master’s degree in Accounting, with a focus in Taxation, from the University of Georgia. She is passionate about supporting the arts and local businesses through thoughtful, dependable financial management.

OPERATIONS MANAGER

Emily Cotten

Emily Cotten is a singer and arts administrator based in Cincinnati, OH. Prior to arriving in Ohio, she worked as the Personnel Manager for the Tanglewood Music Center, the Artistic Coordinator for the Louisiana Philharmonic Orchestra, and as a publicist for the Boston Symphony Orchestra. She began her career as a production department intern for the Metropolitan Opera. She earned her Bachelor of Music in Vocal Performance at the University of Michigan and her Master of Music in Vocal Performance from Loyola University New Orleans. She has performed with the Cincinnati Opera, May Festival Chorus, and was a resident artist with Toledo Opera for the 2024-2025 season. 

BOARD OF TRUSTEES

OFFICERS

Daniel Pfahl | President

Linda Holthaus | Vice President

Nancy Keyser | Secretary

Michael Moore | Treasurer

TRUSTEES

Terri Abare | Community Volunteer

Tara Baughn | The Cincinnati Insurance Company

Belinda Reuning Burge | Orchestra Representative

John Byczkowski | Community Volunteer

Grant Cambridge | Event Enterprises

Joe Carlo | Johnson Investment Counsel

Robert Chavez | Chavez Properties

Sijie Dai | Procter & Gamble

Kathy DeBrosse | Community Volunteer

Kelly Dehan | Community Volunteer

Susan Esler | Community Volunteer

Raven Fulton | Paloozanoire

Ashley Hall | Orchestra Representative

Linda Holthaus | Community Volunteer

Peter Hsi | Community Volunteer

Dr. William Hurford | Community Volunteer

Everett N. Jones III | Community Volunteer

Eric Kearney | Greater Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky African American Chamber of Commerce

Nancy Keyser | Community Volunteer

Benjamin Linser | Family Wealth Advisory Group

Tiffany Luckey | Ten21 Agency and Protective Life

Rajani Menon | The Women’s Fund of the Greater Cincinnati Foundation

Michael Moore | Wealthquest

Michael Neugent | University of Cincinnati

Daniel Pfahl | PNC

Catherine Roma | World House Choir

Mark Schlachter | Art Beyond Boundaries

EMERITUS TRUSTEE

Rosemary Schlachter

HONORARY TRUSTEES

Richard Aft, Ph.D.

Boris Auerbach

Sally Connelly

G. James Sammarco

Ruthann Sammarco

Ruth Schwallie

EMERITUS BOARD CHAIR

Richard Aft, Ph.D.

DIVERSITY, EQUITY, AND COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT ADVISORY COMMITTEE

Bernardo Lopez | MYCincinnati

Toilynn O’Neal Turner | Robert O’Neal Multicultural Arts Center

Daphney Thomas | National Coalition for Black Arts & Entertainment

Bryan Wright | Cincinnati Compass