History
What is today known as Artist Series Concerts of Sarasota was conceived in 1996 by co-founders Jerold Ross and Lee Dougherty Ross. Jerold’s background in arts management includes service as a key member of the board of an opera company and ownership of a classical music radio station.
Lee Dougherty debuted at age 12 as a piano soloist with the Norfolk Virginia Symphony Orchestra and later performed the Rachmaninoff 2nd Piano Concerto with the Eastman Rochester Symphony. She graduated from Eastman School of Music with a double major in both piano and voice. Lee’s singing career included performances at Carnegie Hall, Alice Tully Hall and the Broadway stage in New York, Queen Elizabeth Hall in London, and The Kennedy White House. Lee’s years of performance in New York resulted in friendships with many musical artists who would visit the couple in their Milwaukee home. They began to host musical soirees in their home with principal players of the symphony, conductor, soloists, local artists, music teachers and friends who enjoyed the affairs.
After relocating to Sarasota, the couple saw the possibility of transporting the soiree concept here by offering their musical artist friends transportation costs and small honorariums (along with the opportunity to enjoy the community’s fabulous weather and beaches) to perform intimate recital programs in Sarasota. After four years, the programs had grown in popularity to the point where the need for additional seating dictated a move. In 2001, the renamed Artist Series of Sarasota moved to the Beatrice Friedman Symphony Center in Sarasota’s downtown cultural district. In 2003, Artist Series Concerts moved to the larger Holley Hall within the Symphony Center and, at the same time, formalized its structure by seeking and attaining 501(c)(3) tax-exempt status from the Internal Revenue Service. As part of that process, a board of trustees was created, and long-term vision and goals were established as critical steps assuring future viability.
Community Leadership and Fiscal Responsibility
Over the past several years, Artist Series Concerts’ board of trustees worked diligently to update its bylaws, policies, and financial reporting to ensure the organization was positioned as a leader among non-profits. At the same time, we began a structured and ongoing strategic planning program to assure that Artist Series Concerts is sustainable and can continue to grow in an orderly and healthy way. We continue to reach out to granting organizations to provide broader-based organizational support that will complement income from private donations and ticket sales. We also partner with other non-profit organizations in collaborative programs throughout each season. The enthusiasm of our volunteers, the loyalty of our audience and donors, and the hundreds of new patrons we attract each year collectively reinforce our belief that Artist Series Concerts of Sarasota is a growing and viable cultural organization.
Artist Series Concerts FRIENDS
Though fortunate to have had support from loyal volunteers since its inception, the Artist Series Concerts began a more formalized organization for volunteers in 2006. Artist Series Concerts FRIENDS, which currently has a paid membership of over 150, strongly supports our activities, including an expanded community and school outreach program.
Intimate Musical Experiences
At Artist Series Concerts of Sarasota, we believe that music is more than just a performance—it’s a personal connection between the artist and the audience. That’s why our concerts are designed to be intimate, with normally no more than 250 attendees, ensuring that every guest has the opportunity to experience the music up close. Whether it’s the subtle expressions of a pianist, the passion in a violinist’s bowing, or the delicate interplay of a chamber ensemble, our setting allows audiences to fully immerse themselves in the artistry and emotion of each performance.
Beyond the music itself, our concerts offer a rare opportunity for audience members to engage personally with the artists. Whether during a post-concert reception or through Q&A sessions at our exclusive lunch and dinner concerts, guests can meet the musicians, ask questions, and gain insight into their creative process. This unique format transforms a typical concert experience into a meaningful, interactive event—one where the music lingers not just in the ears, but in the hearts of those who attend.