The Ellen Kelley Volunteer of the Year Award is given in recognition of outstanding service to the Houston Symphony League. Our Houston Symphony League directory is dedicated to this year’s winner, Karinne McCullough.

As a POPS concert subscriber since 1990, Karinne came to know the League in Spring 2014 through a B# Brunch program featuring Principal POPS conductor Michael Krajewski. At the Fall Membership Lunch, she signed up to try almost every volunteer opportunity at least once and life as a volunteer with the League began.

Karinne’s participation spans Education – Student Concert Usher, Family Concerts, Junior Patrons, Instrument Petting Zoo, Crafts, Ima Hogg Competition Judges’ Hospitality Liaison and Liaison for Winner’s Community Residency (both pioneer roles); Fundraising for violins for Lewis Elementary students, Magical Musical Morning; Symphony Community Outreach as liaison for Community Embedded Musicians, escorting CEMs to bedside visits with oncology patients at Texas Children’s Hospital and importantly, simply providing a “pair of hands” behind the scene.

Leadership roles include Recording Secretary (2021-23); Annual Fund Chair (2022); By-Laws Committee (2022); Vice President of Education; Strategic Planning Committee (3 years); Nominating Committee (3 years), and Co-chair of Mailing Committee (3 years). She is a member of the Symphony’s Education Committee. Karinne was the recipient of the 2019 Ardyce Tostengard Crystal Cello Award. She and husband Bill are members of the Houston Symphony Legacy Society.

Professionally, Karinne taught pre-school and elementary children with language-learning disabilities. She was a consultant for publishers of classroom material. Karinne holds a JD from South Texas College of Law. In private practice, she focused on insurance defense and appeals before joining the First Court of Appeals as a staff attorney. She served as the Court Administrator until appointed Clerk of the Court, retiring from the Court after 13 years of public service. Other volunteer organizations include the Salvation Army Women’s Auxiliary and the Barbara Bush Ladies for Literacy Guild.

Karinne and Bill attend South Main Baptist Church where she sings in the Sanctuary Choir. She also serves on the Board of Directors at 2016 Main Condominiums where they live with their two cats, Jack and Red.