Martin Ihrig, co-chair Young Friends of the Academy Ball and Alison Young , co-chair Young Friends of the Academy Ball
The Orchestra’s Young Friends program began about five years ago as an effort to attract more young concertgoers. “We wanted to break down some perceived barriers to concertgoing,” Philadelphia Orchestra Vice President of Marketing Janice Hay says. “Before launching the program we talked to a number of young professionals and found out many of them didn’t know anything about The Philadelphia Orchestra. They weren’t willing to pay for something they weren’t familiar with. They had perceptions that concerts were always sold out, or not affordable. In addition, many people thought you had to dress up to go to a concert and felt the Kimmel Center might be an uptight scene. But it isn’t.”
The Young Friends program was the result. With free membership and the ability to purchase up to two tickets at a reduced rate for most concerts, it brings together dynamic and successful professionals between the ages of 21 and 40 who have a love for music and an interest in exploring arts and culture. (source)
Stacey Kracher, Anthony Dodaro , Aida Sparta and Brandon Morrison
Mystery Man
About Academy of Music
Known as “The Grand Old Lady of Locust Street,” the Academy of Music is the oldest grand opera house in the United States still used for its original purpose. Each January, the Anniversary Concert and Ball is the primary annual fundraising event for this National Historic Landmark, original home of The Philadelphia Orchestra and current home to resident companies The Opera Company of Philadelphia and The Pennsylvania Ballet. Proceeds provide the restoration and preservation support necessary to maintain the Academy of Music as an architectural and cultural jewel and a tremendous source of pride for our region. For more information please visit http://www.philorch.org/
The support of the Young Friends of the Academy of Music is a crucial part of ensuring that this iconic building—that has been an integral part of the fabric of Philadelphia’s arts and culture community for more than a century and a half—continues for generations to come. The Young Friends are truly the future of the Academy of Music! 
Alexander Hankin and Danielle Hankin
Lynsie Solomon, and Kristin Detterline, who with Matthew Malinowski
will be the 2019 co-chairs of The Young Friends of the Academy of Music
