About SOVA

In 2004 SOVA was a dream to six orchestra volunteer leaders from four volunteer support organizations of Southeastern orchestras. Together Gigi Leffler and Ginger Kelly of The Symphony Guild of Charlotte; Eloise Pingry and Mary Jo Daugherty of the Charleston Symphony Orchestra League; Liz Wheeler of the Symphony League, South Carolina Philharmonic and Pam Weaver of The Guild of the Greenville Symphony began meeting monthly and became the organizing board of SOVA. This group set as its basis to provide a venue to meet other volunteers and exchange ideas. On March 7, 2005 this group resolved to incorporate under the laws of North Carolina. By August 26 of the same year the incorporation papers from the state of North Carolina, a letter of determination from the IRS and a tax-exempt number were received. SOVA was an official 501(c)3 legally registered. On October 10, 2005, SOVA held its first ROUNDTABLE in Charlotte, NC.

Today SOVA is an active nonprofit organization. Membership is granted to an individual or association that supports the mission and purpose and pays the annual dues as set by the Board of Directors.

Alumni Board Members


Pat BranningSalisbury, NC
Mary Jo DaughertyCharleston, SC
Kathleen DunnSalisbury, NC
Nancy EptingColumbia, SC
Gwen GilmoreCharleston, SC
Shirley HendersonColumbia, SC
Lynn HodgeColumbia, SC
Emmala HuntColumbia, SC
Sue IngramCharleston, SC
Ginger KellyCharlotte, NC
Gigi LefflerCharlotte, NC
Pat MoyeAugusta, GA
Eloise PingryCharleston, SC
Pam WeaverGreenville, SC
Liz WheelerColumbia, SC
Melissa WoolfCharlotte, NC

Charter Patrons


These members provided a financial platform for the very beginnings of SOVA:

Alice Caskey
Eloise Pingry
Julia ChurchElaine Rumberg
Linda Daleure+Jacqueline Sellors
Mary Jo DaughertyBeth Small
Ginger KellyRae Trimmier
Gigi LefflerPam Weaver
Al LefflerLinda Weisbruch
Anne McKnightLiz Wheeler
+Joni Murray

+ Deceased

Volunteer Council of the League of American Orchestras


SOVA is honored that the following SOVA members were tapped to serve on the Volunteer Council of the League of American Orchestras:

Former Council Members:
Sandra Sue Ashby 2008-2012
Ginger Kelly 2004-2009
Gigi Leffler 1993-1999
Pat Moye 2000-2006
Eloise Pingry 1977-1983
Jane Schwartz 2010-2016
Carol Lou Yaeger, 2015-2017
Pam Weaver 2000 2007, President 2005-2006, Sustainer Liaison 2009-2010
Linda Weisbruch, President, 2016-2017, Sustainer Liaison, 2017-2018