American Council
of the Russian National Orchestra
The RNO is fortunate to have many friends in the United States, including past directors of its Moscow-based board, individual patrons and representatives of institutional donors. A core group of these friends came together in 2002 to establish the American Council of the RNO. The Council helps to define and pursue strategic opportunities that will raise the orchestra's profile in the US and that will create relationships with new supporters.
Regular American tours and an ongoing presence through recordings, chamber ensemble performances, broadcasts, musician exchanges and patron activities afford the Council multiple opportunities to advance the RNO's programs, particularly to corporations. Sponsorship of concerts, events and special projects offers the corporate sector significant benefits, and the Council plays a key role in promoting this message.
 Backstage at the Kennedy Center. James Collins, former U. S. Ambassador to Russia, and his wife Naomi meet Wynton Marsalis to talk about future collaborations between the RNO and the Lincoln Center Jazz Orchestra. |
 Mikhail Pletnev presents the RNO Encore Award to Tom Thomson, recognizing his leadership and service as chairman of the orchestra's Board of Trustees from 1998 to 2002. |
 Eugene Lawson of the U. S.-Russia Business Council congratulates Tom Thomson at the award lunch in Washington, DC. |
Membership on the American Council is open to anyone committed to bringing the magic of the RNO's music to broader audiences throughout the US. The annual membership gift - $5,000 corporate and $2,500 individual - is fully tax-deductible.
 Howard Chase of BP America, host of the event, greets former U.S. Ambassador to Russia James Collins. |
 From left to right, Svetlana Ushakova, wife of the Russian Ambassador to the U. S., Esther Coopersmith and Gregory Guroff. |
Members are listed on Council letterhead and are recognized in concert programs and on the RNO website, www.rno.ru. In addition to complimentary tickets to selected US concerts, members receive invitations to events and other special programs.
Current American Council Membership
Patricia M. Ciraulo (Honorary Member)
Bar Harbor, Maine
Former Deputy Director of the RNO
Gary Coleman
AIG (retired)
Asheville, North Carolina
Former RNO Board Member
Eivind Djupedal
General Manager, Precept Foods LLC
Rochester, Minnesota
Former RNO Board Member
Mark Hill
Managing Director, Regency Capital, Ltd.
Mill Valley, California
Mr. and Mrs. George F. Jewett, Jr.
San Francisco, California
Alexandra Johnson
CEO, Libritas, Inc.
Oakland, California
Yuri Koshkin
President, Trident Group
Arlington, Virginia
Tom Thomson
Senior Vice President, The PBN Company
Washington, D.C.
RNO Board Member and past Chairman
His Excellency Yuri V. Ushakov (Honorary Member)
Ambassador of the Russian Federation
Washington, DC
Sharon Wing
Writer
Los Angeles, CA
Marianne Wyman
Greenwich, CT
Consultants
Mary Ann Allin, President, Swashbuckler Enterprises, Washington, DC
Paul Richardson, Publisher, Russian Life, Montpelier, VT
For information contact:
Mary Ann Allin
2105 - 12th Place, NW
Washington, DC 20009-5305
ph. 202-966-7835