Social Seens... Photography by Gram
The Florida Orchestra Celebrates
The Florida Orchestra held a private “Ovation” concert at the Mahaffey Theater in St. Petersburg, curated and conducted by
the orchestra’s Music Director Michael Francis. It was held in honor of the orchestra’s board chair Janet Paroo, who has served
for more than four years. She led the orchestra through the COVID-19 pandemic, enabling the musicians to successfully continue
providing music to live audiences. She is now passing the baton to chair-elect Greg Yadley. The concert concluded with an encore
of Neil Young’s “Harvest Moon,” which Janet’s husband Iqbal Paroo sponsored as a surprise for her.
152 TAMPA BAY MAGAZINE | JULY/AUGUST 2021
Beverly and Carlos Yepes were invited to
this special concert in support of The Florida
Orchestra due to their generous philanthropy.
Mike Bollenback, Ruth Eckerd Hall board
chair, and his wife Bonnie enjoyed this
private event that honored Janet Paroo.
Emmanuel Cerf and his wife Montserrat
Cerf, a member of the orchestra’s board, and
their family sponsored Michael Francis as
conductor.
Twin sisters Lenda Naimoli and Glenda
Young added their charm and glamour to
this evening of celebration at the Mahaffey
Theater in St. Petersburg.
Artist J. Harrison Smith, an orchestra board
member, and his wife Liz Smith sponsored
the concert’s Edvard Grieg selections from
Peer Gynt.
Dr. César Lara, a Ruth Eckerd Hall board
member, and his wife Penelope Lara found
the program selected by the orchestra’s Music
Director Michael Francis to be ideal.