DSO Governing Members

Governing Members are a cornerstone of the DSO community, and their support is instrumental in bringing memorable musical experiences to life onstage, in classrooms, and in neighborhoods across our city. But beyond their philanthropic support, Governing Members bring a passion for music and a commitment to making the arts accessible to all.

Now serving as DSO Governing Members Chair, H. Keith Mobley (pictured above with DSO Board of Directors Chair Faye A. Nelson) began his musical journey at the age of 8 with classical piano studies. Growing up in the church, he developed a deep appreciation for gospel music, and later jazz.

“Jazz was so fascinating to me because it's abstract. Jazz musicians bring their own interpretation and style to the music; it has its own set of rules,” said Keith.

Keith’s love of music eventually brought him to the DSO, and in 2017, he transitioned from a concertgoer to a DSO leader when he was invited to attend a Classical Roots Steering Committee meeting. “A respected friend invited me to attend, and I thought this was a one-time thing. When I arrived and learned more about the committee’s responsibilities, I was fascinated. It was just one of those experiences that clicked for me. If I commit and I say I'm all in, then you can expect me to ask questions, and you can expect me to look for opportunities, and you can know that I will take responsibility for a portion of that work.”

Keith became a DSO Trustee in 2020, and later accepted the role of Governing Members Chair, both decisions founded in inquiry, an understanding of the commitment, and thoughtfulness about what he could bring to the roles. “You don’t know what you don’t know, and I wanted to find out more about the folks that make up the Governing Members. I want to ask you personally ‘what do you value most about your relationship with the DSO? What opportunities would you like to experience with the DSO? When you come to a concert at the DSO, is there something that could be added to make your experience even more enjoyable?’ Being asked to chair is an honor, and I'm excited about what we, as supporters, can continue to create together with the DSO.”

“Life is all about relationships. Progress is all about relationships. Support is all about relationships. That's what life is: how you interact with people, how you acknowledge and regard people,” said Keith.

Attorney and DSO Governing Member and Trustee Emily Elmer is currently celebrating one year with the organization after initially getting involved through her firm.

“One of the things that I really love about the DSO is that there’s so much diversity in the music,” said Emily. “There's classical music, but there's also jazz and rock.”

She was especially excited about the BLACKSTAR SYMPHONY: The Music of David Bowie concert on May 22, 2025. A week prior, Emily participated in the DSO’s annual Day of Service alongside more than 100 DSO staff, musicians, governance, and volunteers.

Projects ranged from landscaping and urban farming, to making snuffle mats for pups and interviewing senior center members. Emily participated at the Detroit Zoo, working on a gardening project to beautify the grounds.

“I love the community-building through projects like Day of Service and Detroit Harmony, which sources instruments for school children and connects them with music education.”

Also present at Day of Service? DSO Concertmaster (Katherine Tuck Chair) Robyn Bollinger, pictured below alongside DSO usher Steven Smith, packing seeds at Keep Growing Detroit.

Through patience and teamwork, one person held a tiny bag and one measured an exact amount of seeds with a measuring spoon, creating a small packet that will literally help our city grow.

Perhaps most recognized for her masterful performances on stage, Robyn also leads behind the scenes as a Governing Member.

“The Detroit Symphony Orchestra has given me so much—community, musical drive, artistic fulfillment, personal support, and more,” said Robyn. “Becoming Governing Members was an obvious way for [my husband and I] to give back, and it's an investment we are proud to make.”

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When JT Stout became a Governing Member in 2024, it was a deeply personal act—one that honored the memory of his mother. Over the years, JT and his mother enjoyed DSO webcasts together—especially when health challenges kept them from attending in person. He vividly remembers listening to the DSO’s performance of Scheherazade from a hospital room, sharing a moment of peace and beauty during her illness.

JT grew up in North Dakota and now works as a licensed massage therapist in Lansing. Though he doesn’t play an instrument, he’s been an orchestral music lover since age six, when he discovered an LP of Brahms’s Second Symphony. “I couldn’t play an instrument, but I could really play the stereo,” he laughs.

For years, JT and his mom commuted from Lansing to attend Sunday matinee concerts at Orchestra Hall. She would often gaze at the donor lounge, wishing they could go in together. After she passed away, JT became a Governing Member in her honor, continuing their tradition and inviting her closest friends to join him for concerts and lounge visits.

JT is also a fierce advocate for diversity, equity, and inclusion in classical music. He appreciates the DSO’s work with the Sphinx Organization and the African American Orchestra Fellowship, and sees great potential for the orchestra to expand its leadership in this area.

Through advocacy, community-building, and financial support Governing Members are vital to the DSO’s mission.

65% of the DSO’s budget comes from philanthropic giving, through which over 500,000 people engage with music through the DSO each year as concertgoers who have never heard orchestra music before, long-time season subscribers, or students.

They help make the music possible—and build a future that’s more inclusive, vibrant, and connected.

Want to learn more about becoming a Governing Member? Click here to explore the benefits and join this extraordinary group of supporters.