The Dallas Symphony Orchestra League introduced the 2022-2023 debutantes during Announcement Week festivities held May 25 - May 28, marking the official start for the season of events culminating with the 37th Presentation Ball, which will be held February 11, 2023.
The Presentation Ball Chair is Karen Cox and DSOL President is Cynthia Beaird. Karen and Cynthia know well what to expect during the debutante season. Karen’s daughter Isabella made her debut in 2020 and Cynthia’s daughter Jane was presented in 2008.
The events started with a moms’ meeting and a rehearsal on Wednesday, May 25 with the announcement party held at Stanley Korshak on Thursday evening, May 26. On Saturday morning, May 28, Stanley Korshak hosted a reception in the gown salon featuring many gowns designed by their in-house designer Mackenzie Brittingham. The final event was a Fiesta Meet & Greet held in the evening at El Fenix Downtown for Debutantes, Honor Guard members and their families.
Martha Leonard, Vice President and CEO of Stanley Korshak, welcomed all to Stanley Korshak. Stan Gardner was then introduced as emcee for the evening to announce the Debutantes, a duty he has graciously performed for the annual event for many years.
The 2023 Debutantes are: Britton Barcus, Margaret Bracken, Stephanie Ciarochi, Kate Clark, Sarah Crow, Elena Dewar, Gracie Dix, Natalie Duvall, Arden Eiland, Charlotte Esping, Kaitlin Ann Kelly, Celeste Lay, Ella Marks, Ellie Michaelson, Lydia Pigott, Morgan Potter, Sasha Schwimmer, Ellie Steindorf, Catherine Stiles, Elizabeth Thompson, Lucy Tilden, CeCe Tribolet, Danielle Ward and Paige Williams.
For several families, this is the second Debutante in the family to be presented: Dodd and Susan Duvall, Dawne and Patrick Tribolet, Heather and Bill Esping, and Erik and Michelle Ward.
There are many Debutante parents who have themselves been a past Debutante or Honor Guard including Susan Duvall, Courtney Slater, David Thompson, Lee Thompson, and Douglas Bracken.
The Presentation Ball, which was first held in 1987, is the largest fundraiser for the DSOL. Over $13 million has been raised for the Dallas Symphony Orchestra through the annual event, which was created with the vision of long-time League member Tincy Miller, who chaired the first ball.
Founded in 1946, the DSOL's mission is to support the Dallas Symphony Orchestra through service, education and fundraising activities. Since 1998 the League has contributed over $21 million in support of the Dallas Symphony Association’s Community Outreach and Education programs, which help bring the wonder of the Dallas Symphony Orchestra to thousands of youths and adults in the Dallas Metroplex.
Photos by Gittings