Brad Cavanaugh

Conversation with an ICON

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Gina Gaston and Linda Lorelle

The Houston Symphony League hosted its annual Conversation with an Icon Luncheon on April 29, 2026, at the Omni Hotel, bringing together community leaders, supporters, and music enthusiasts for an inspiring afternoon celebrating the power of the arts. The event was co-chaired by Blanca Jolly and Saula Valente.

Centered around the theme The Impact of Music, the luncheon featured a captivating conversation between the 2026 Icon, Gina Gaston, and moderator Linda Lorelle. Gina has created 12 specials on the Houston Symphony over a 13-year partnership with the Symphony and so many more support efforts! Gina highlighted the Houston Symphony’s far-reaching Education and Community Engagement initiatives, which continue to transform lives across Greater Houston through music and arts education.

A meaningful addition to this year’s event was the Children’s Music Book Drive led by the Houston Symphony League and the Young Associates Council. Donations will benefit the Barbara Bush Houston Literacy Foundation, the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo Trailblazer Committee ROPES Program, and the Houston Symphony, all of which had representatives to receive ceremonial books at the event.

Custom music-themed art pieces partially donated by Sneha Merchant were given to Gina Gaston, Kim Nordt-Jackson – the producer for KTRK, and Linda Lorelle as a thank you. The phrase Music Inspires, Teaches, Heals which is from the TV Segment Playing it Forward that Kim Nordt-Jackson created, was included on the art. Kim Nordt-Jackson said she was incredibly honored. KTRK created a custom video just for the Icon event and the mp4 file can be downloaded here.

The table settings included floral arrangements in soft lavender tones, which evoked a spring garden captured within a glass globe, like a scene framed in a window. Completing the table setting, a delicate cookie, shaped as a lavender dress similar to what was shown by the Carolina Herrera fashions, rested inside a box, as though tucked within a wardrobe. The elegant and fresh spring atmosphere perfectly echoed the spirit of the 2026 Spring collection by Carolina Herrera on the runway.

Brad Cavanaugh

2026 Ellen Kelley Volunteer of the Year – Ann Kennedy Tornyos

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The Ellen Kelley Volunteer of the Year Award is given in recognition of outstanding service to the Houston Symphony League. This year’s honoree is Ann Tornyos. Ann and her late husband, Karl Tornyos, moved to Houston from New Orleans in June 2005 and began attending the Houston Symphony’s Classical Series.

Her first exposure to the Houston Symphony League was the B# Brunch series. In 2014, Ann became Corresponding Secretary for the League and in 2015 served as Chair of the Crafts Committee, which provided educational activities for the Family Concerts and the holiday Magical Musical Morning.

In 2017, she was honored to receive the Ardyce Tostengard Crystal Cello Award along with her Craft Committee co-chair, Kristin Turnak. In 2022, as a member of the Executive Committee, Ann served on the By-Laws Committee that updated the League’s By-laws. She served as Parliamentarian in 2022-23 and Recording Secretary in 2023-24 while also being jointly responsible for the crafts for the Family Concerts.

Ann contributed to the Ima Hogg Competitions with food and funds. She participated in the funding of the Steinway grand piano for the Symphony and supported the Musician’s and Staff Luncheons, and she is a member of the Symphony’s Legacy Society. She regularly works the Family Concerts and is always positioned at the popular Crafts table. She has also been an avid supporter of the League’s project to support a Symphony orchestra member.

Ann has served the HSL with courage, purpose, and heart, and through her HSL work, is helping to shape the next generation of perhaps lifelong artists and certainly lifelong audiences.