South Bend, IN — The South Bend Symphony Orchestra is pleased to announce the appointment of Jennifer Kary as President-Elect of its Board of Directors. Jennifer will serve alongside the Board’s officers during the coming year before succeeding Dr. Susan Ohmer as Board President. 

The Symphony also welcomes five new members to its Board of Directors: Mario Ellis, Dr. Andrew Jennings, Rachel Tomas Morgan, Dr. Sarah VanScoik, and Derek Zook. Their diverse professional experience, community leadership, and commitment to the arts will help advance the Symphony’s mission and support its continued growth and impact throughout the region. 

The South Bend Symphony’s Board of Directors plays a vital role in advancing the organization’s mission to inspire, entertain, and connect the community through the transformative power of orchestral music. These appointments reflect the Symphony’s continued commitment to strong leadership, community engagement, and organizational excellence. 

“I want to thank the Governance Committee and its chair, Donna Lamberti, for identifying these outstanding nominees whose expertise and experience will enrich our work,” said South Bend Symphony Board President Susan Ohmer. 

“The South Bend Symphony Orchestra is honored to welcome a distinguished group of new board members whose collective expertise reflects the breadth and diversity of the Michiana community,” South Bend Symphony Executive Director Steven Haines said. “As we continue to advance our strategic priorities and growth initiatives, their perspectives and leadership will help guide the Symphony toward an even stronger future. We believe our Board should mirror the community we serve, and these appointments represent an important step in that ongoing commitment.” 

The South Bend Symphony Orchestra looks forward to working with its new board members as the organization continues to build on its legacy of artistic excellence and community engagement throughout Michiana. 

About Jennifer Kary
Jennifer Kary is Chief Quality Officer at Crowe, where she has built a distinguished career over the past 31 years. A lifelong South Bend resident, she graduated from Community Baptist School and earned her accounting degree from Indiana University South Bend in 1995. Her longstanding involvement with the South Bend Symphony Orchestra includes service as Treasurer and Vice President, as well as leadership roles on the Finance, Executive, and Governance Committees. In addition to her professional and volunteer leadership, she serves as Board President at First Brethren Church. She brings extensive expertise in financial stewardship, governance, and organizational leadership to support the Symphony’s mission and continued growth. 

About Mario Ellis
Mario Ellis brings more than 30 years of experience in human resources leadership across healthcare, academic, and complex matrix organizations. He currently serves as Chief Human Resources Officer for Beacon Health System and previously held leadership positions with WellSpan Health, Cleveland Clinic, St. Luke’s Health System, and The University of Chicago Medicine. Known for his collaborative leadership style and commitment to organizational excellence, Mario offers expertise in strategic planning, talent development, and organizational change management. He holds degrees from DePaul University, Regent University, and Cornell University. 

About Dr. Andrew Jennings
Dr. Andrew Jennings is Director of Liturgy and Music for the Poor Handmaids of Jesus Christ, Director of the Ancilla Domini Community Choir, Adjunct Teaching Professor at the University of Notre Dame, and Spiritual Director at Lindenwood Retreat Center. With extensive experience in music, theology, education, and community engagement, Andrew brings a deep understanding of artistic leadership and cultural programming to the South Bend Symphony Orchestra Board of Directors. He holds degrees from Indiana University Southeast, the University of Notre Dame, and Southern Methodist University. 

About Rachel Tomas Morgan
Rachel Tomas Morgan brings more than 25 years of experience in higher education leadership and public service to the South Bend Symphony Orchestra Board of Directors. She currently serves as an At-Large City Council Member for the City of South Bend, where she has championed initiatives supporting economic development, public safety, and infrastructure. Previously, as Director of International Engagement at the University of Notre Dame, she developed academic and service-learning programs, cultivated global partnerships, and managed donor relationships. A graduate of the University of Notre Dame and St. Mary’s College, Rachel also serves on committees for Downtown South Bend, Inc. and on the Board of Trustees for The History Museum. She brings expertise in strategic planning, partnership development, and community engagement to support the Symphony’s mission and future growth. 

About Dr. Sarah VanScoik
Dr. Sarah VanScoik is an educator, engineer, and lifelong musician who brings a unique combination of analytical thinking, educational leadership, and artistic appreciation to the South Bend Symphony Orchestra Board of Directors. She teaches skilled trades at Ivy Tech Community College and holds a Ph.D. in Instructional Design, and Master of Business Administration, and a bachelor’ degree in Industrial Engineering. A dedicated supporter of the arts in Northern Indiana, Sarah is passionate about the role music plays in strengthening communities, fostering connections, and enriching quality of life throughout the region. 

About Derek Zook 
Derek Zook is a Senior Manager at RSM US LLP, a leading global provider of audit, tax, and consulting services, where he is based in the firm’s Northern Indiana practice in Mishawaka. With more than 13 years of experience in audit and consulting, Derek partners with middle-market businesses both domestically and internationally to help advise and achieve their goals. A longtime supporter of the arts in Michiana, Derek is honored to join the board of the South Bend Symphony Orchestra and looks forward to helping advance its mission of bringing exceptional live music to the community. He lives in the Elkhart area with his wife Jade, dog Rafi, and cat Genevieve. 

 

SUBSCRIPTIONS / TICKETS 

Subscriptions
Discounts, priority seating, and other exclusive benefits are available to season subscribers. Subscribe at www.southbendsymphony.org or by phone at (574) 232-6343. 

SINGLE TICKETS 

Online: www.southbendsymphony.org 

Phone: Morris Performing Arts Center Box Office (574) 235-9190
(10 a.m. – 4 p.m., Wednesday & Thursday, 10 a.m. – 5:30 p.m., Friday) 

In-person: Visit the Morris Box Office (211 N. Michigan St., South Bend) during the times listed above or two hours before any performance. 

 

To VIEW the 2026-27 Season schedule, visit www.southbendsymphony.org.
Dates, programs, and venues are subject to change. 

For questions or media appearances, please contact Sarah Perschbacher at sperschbacher@southbendsymphony.org or (574) 230-4875. 

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About the South Bend Symphony Orchestra
The South Bend Symphony inspires, entertains, and connects the community with the transformative power of orchestral music. Producing more than 20 mainstage programs each year and nearly 70 smaller ensemble concerts, the Symphony serves more than 30,000 attendees annually. As the region’s only professional orchestra, the Symphony is dedicated to cultivating a vibrant, interconnected arts community in support of South Bend and the broader Michiana region. 

The South Bend Symphony Orchestra has earned recognition from the National Endowment for the Arts as well as Indiana Arts Commission and local arts funding organizations. It is also the recipient of the Community Foundation of St. Joseph County’s Leighton Award for Nonprofit Excellence, which honors the best-run nonprofit organization in St. Joseph County, Indiana. 

 

Learn more about the South Bend Symphony Orchestra at www.southbendsymphony.org.