Manon Mitchell, President

Manon is a retired IT professional who's passion for music has led her to be an active supporter of the Civic both as musician, board member and behind the scenes planner.

Her IT career was mainly in the OIl and Gas industry and now that she is retired, she spends most of her time as a Rotarian volunteering in Calgary as well as overseeing global projects in Uganda and Cambodia. Today Manon performs in the Civic violin section but is also an entertainer in Palladio Music, a violin duet cover band.

Graham Drake, Secretary

Graham is a recently-retired executive who now finds himself with more time to support the community organizations with which he shares a passion.

For a lifelong music lover for whom piano-playing is a daily source of stress relief, the Civic Symphony is a perfect fit.

Graham brings a wealth of community service and governance knowledge to the board and is excited to use his business acumen to help the Civic Symphony achieve its goals. 

Richard Ingram, Treasurer

Alan Satterlee, Director

Alan Satterlee joined the board in December 2021 with a passion for classical music and volunteer orchestras.  Alan grew up in Whitefish, Montana, got a degree in geology and worked in the oil industry for 19 years spending time in Denver where he sang with the Denver Chorale.  His work took him to China, Indonesia, New York, Myanmar and Houston where he transitioned to the non-profit sector.  His wide array of experience and interests ranges from homelessness to teen/young adult recovery to jazz music education and theatre.  He spent over 10 years as the Executive Director of the Glacier Symphony and Chorale in Kalispell, Montana.  Alan married a Canadian in 2019 and lives full time in Calgary.  Alan is an artist, with eclectic and playful drawings and paintings that bring him therapeutic joy.  Alan and Elspeth each have 2 grown children and love to hike, bike, snowshoe, ski and cook.  

 

José C. Herrero, Director

P.Eng with registrations in Alberta (APEGA) and Spain (Mining and Energy Engineering).
Retired from Fluor Corporation in 2017 after  36 years, retiring in 2017 as VP Project Director and Functional Leader of Project Management for Fluor.

He was a member of the Alberta Ballet Board of Directors (2004-2010) and jointed the CCS Board of Directors on 2017.

Matthew Perera, Director

A Master of Science graduate possessing excellent analytical abilities and highly developed communication skills. A disciplined, self-motivated leader focused on innovation, creativity, and teamwork in a results-oriented environment, driven by delivering outstanding value. A skilled strategist and prolific networker with excellent diplomatic tact, capable of successfully managing complex business relationships. A technical background in science and engineering, experience with technology commercialization and access to capital, and hands-on experience with providing decision support and strategic advice. Eligible for E.I.T. registration. Passionate about sustainable technology development; Continually seeking opportunities for professional development and growth.

Caroline Becq, Director

Caroline is a professional and passionate Arts administrator in the Calgary Area.

Sarah Patrick, Director

Sarah specializes in family law and criminal law. She obtained her BA from the University of Saskatchewan and her JD from the University of Calgary Faculty of Law. Sarah completed her articles with a boutique Calgary law firm practicing exclusively family law. She has represented clients in Provincial Court, the Court of Queen’s Bench and the Court of Appeal. She has extensive experience litigating high-conflict family matters at all stages of the litigation process, through negotiations to trial to appeal. She has successfully represented clients in matters concerning all aspects of family law, from divorce and property division to child apprehension and domestic abuse. Sarah is also a violinist in the Civic Symphony and is looking to share her professional skills as a board member.

John Chik, Past President

John Chik began studying the violin at the age of six with the Guelph Suzuki String School.  After pausing active violin playing to pursue a B.Sc. in Chemical Physics from the University of Toronto and a Ph.D. in Chemistry from Princeton University, John resumed performing with the National Institutes of Health Community Orchestra, Bethesda MD, as well as being in the pit orchestra for various amateur musicals in the Washington DC area.  Moving to Calgary in 2001, he joined the Calgary Civic Symphony and has been a member ever since.  John has been amazed by the progress the “Civic” has made since joining.  As the Civic’s new president, he hopes to continue this trajectory and explore new avenues for how the Civic can further contribute to Calgary’s diverse communities.  John is currently an associate professor in the Department of Physics and Chemistry at Mount Royal University.