Richardson’s 2023-2025 Mayor and City Council Members
My favorite dog was Dutchess. She was an Airedale. When I was a sophomore in high school, I saved my money and purchased her. She was a fabulous dog. She won her obedience class training as the best trained dog. She was loyal, smart and obedient. If I asked her to sit and stay, she would never move until I called her
Mary Bedosky and Marta Frey
Editor’s Note: Movers and shakers are people who make things happen, influencers whose energy creates positive change. They’re always busy and often pioneers in their respective fields. In each issue of Richardson Life Magazine, we highlight an individual, couple or group of people who we feel fits this definition. If you would like to nominate a mover and shaker to be celebrated in the pages of the magazine, email pmotte@hylogroup.com MARY BEDOSKY 2022 Citizen Of The Year By Patti Otte In March, the Richardson Chamber of Commerce honored individuals whose exceptional contributions to the community made a lasting impact in 2022. Small but mighty, fun and feisty Mary Bedosky was given the well-deserved title of Citizen of the Year. Mary grew up in Madison, Wisconsin, where she spent winters sledding and ice skating. Always a hard worker, Mary’s first job was cleaning the scuff marks off new men’s white shoes at the Nunn Bush Shoe Factory in Edgerton, Wisconsin. A music education major at the University of Wisconsin – Eau Claire, she specialized in voice and piano and was a lead singer in a rock band, “playing regular gigs with lots of 70’s music at a smoky bar with fellow music majors,” Mary recalls. The young musician also had a knack for business and her career took her in that direction. She has worked in retail store management, residential real estate and banking for many years. Currently, Mary works for Prosperity Bank in Richardson as the Banking Center President and will soon celebrate sixteen years with Prosperity. Mary describes herself as flexible, organized and a great partner. Mary’s greatest partnership was with Matthew, her soul mate and husband of twenty-six years, whom she lost in 2019. Mary and Matt moved from Rochester, NY, to Richardson in 1993. Together, in addition to pursuing separate careers, they owned a cigar shop in Richardson called Calypso Cigars, which Mary sold after Matt’s death. Her eyes still light up when she talks about Matt. Mary with her mom and brother Her father Lester, a small business owner himself, taught Mary the importance of relationships in business and giving back to the community. Her 91-year-old mom, Helen Ryan, lives with Mary now. A retired nurse and former amateur pilot, Helen “is a blast to live with – she always keeps me laughing,” states Mary fondly. Mary Happily Networking Mary and Matt in Wyoming Mary’s earliest memory of volunteering is selling tickets at the Kehl School of Dance recital back in Madison. She did so well that she won a pair of ballet shoes for selling the most tickets! Once she arrived in Richardson, Mary met longtime Richardson mover and shaker Bonnie Perry, who invited her to serve on the RSO Board. They collaborated on many causes over the years and Bonnie introduced Mary to several people who she now considers her best friends. Mary is a member of the Richardson East Rotary Club, the Executive After Hours and Women in Leadership committees of the Richardson Chamber, and serves on the Board of Directors of the Methodist Richardson Hospital Foundation. When asked what she would say to someone wanting to make a difference in the community, Mary states, “There are so many ways to give back. Network of Community Ministries and RALC come to mind. I would ask the person, ‘What is your passion?’ It is so much fun to work alongside others doing something you love and believe in.” Fellow volunteer and Logotology owner Monica Scott states, “Mary is smart and Mary’s March birthday celebration funny and has such a rich history in this community. I don’t think there is one aspect of this City that she hasn’t been involved in and is always open to sharing and brainstorming new ideas to build upon successes. She is one of those people who, when you talk to her, you know you have 100% of her attention. We are truly blessed to have her!!!” Mary’s March birthday celebration Besides “catching some rays” in her backyard pool, Mary loves the patio and vibe at Fernando’s, the concert hall at the Eisemann Center, and the Wildflower Festival. She also enjoys visiting and photographing lighthouses, drinking wine and chatting with friends, and shopping! When asked what she would like folks to remember her for, Mary replies, “I would hope that they talk about the great times we had together and how we improved our community as a team.” Congratulations, Mary. You’ve certainly made your community a better place simply by being you. MARTA FREY 2022 Volunteer Of The Year By Patti Otte Alex, Marta and Noah campaigning in 2017 Another awesome and accomplished leader, Marta Frey was honored as the Richardson Chamber of Commerce’s Volunteer of the Year. Marta was born in Puerto Rico before moving with her family to Richardson in 1976. Marta attended Dartmouth Elementary, Hamilton Park Elementary, Apollo Jr High and Berkner HS. She then graduated from Texas A&M University with a BA in history and languages. Early on, Marta’s family life centered around maintaining their Hispanic culture while learning about their new Texas home. Her family hosted potlucks incorporating Puerto Rican and Colombian (her father was from Colombia) cuisines with their American friends. Her childhood was spent sharing countless days with cousins, aunts and uncles. Marta’s family, including son Alex, a Richardson-based software engineer, and Noah, a market researcher living in Chicago, is a central part of her life. Says Marta, “My sons are my inspiration and provide my sense of direction. My mom, Myrta G. Gómez, a former educator, taught me why giving back is so important. And my father Hector, affectionately known as ‘Papapa’, was well-respected in the engineering consulting community and taught me to embrace a strong work ethic.” Marta continues, “Mimi (my mom) taught me to serve always, in all ways. She showed me how there can be creativity in who and how I serve, as long as I serve. As I child, I didn’t yet have causes I was
Richardson Symphony Orchestra
One of Richardson’s cultural crown jewels, the Richardson Symphony Orchestra was founded in 1961 by Maestro Chris Xeros and a group of dedicated volunteers. In 1990, Maestro Anshel Brusilow became the second conductor of the RSO. The orchestra continued to grow and is now recognized as one of the premiere orchestras in the region. It is the resident symphony of the Eisemann Center for Performing Arts and offers six concerts (four classical and two pops) each season. The orchestra consists of 70 professional musicians led by Music Director and Conductor Clay Couturiaux, who just completed his eleventh year with the RSO. The Symphony is supported by a dedicated Board of Directors, the Richardson Symphony League and community volunteers. According to Executive Director Laurie Garvie, “We are a small but mighty nonprofit, with just two full-time and one part-time staff members.” Throughout its history, the orchestra has been known for its innovative programming and as a showplace for brilliant up-and-coming talent. Many notable artists have made their DFW symphony debut with the RSO, including cellist Yo-Yo Ma, violinist Nadia Solaerno-Sonnenberg and pianist Behzod Abduraimov. In addition to its critically acclaimed concerts, the RSO is regarded as a leader in education and community outreach programs. The Ann & Charles Eisemann International Young Artists Competition annually draws talented young performers from around the world who compete for cash prizes and the opportunity to perform with the orchestra at its March concert. The orchestra is also involved in enriching the Fine Arts education of Richardson Independent School District students through Symphony Days, a three-part program culminating in all third graders attending a concert at the Eisemann Center. When asked what makes her glad to be associated with the RSO, Garvie states, “One of the things I’m most proud of is that we provide music beyond the walls of the concert hall to share the joy of live music with as many people as possible. Through the generous support of our donors, corporate sponsors, and the City of Richardson Cultural Arts Commission, we offer a wide variety of community outreach programs. Our newest platform is the RSO concert trailer, which enables us to transport a portable stage to casual settings – parks, neighborhood parties, Main Street celebrations, Light Up Lockwood, and several new locations in the months ahead.” Winners of the 2023 Ann & Charles Eisemann International Young Artists Competition with the Eisemann family and Maestro Couturiaux She continues, “I’m also proud of our podcast program, ‘Portraits in Music,’ which debuted in June 2020. Maestro Couturiaux shares his insight into the pieces to be performed at each concert. Most episodes include an interview with a principal musician or a guest artist. Several episodes feature conversations with RSO musicians and community supporters who have been instrumental in sustaining the RSO through their generous support. Our podcast has more than 3,000 downloads from 36 countries and 48 states in the USA and is produced by Ross Sivertsen.” Richardson Symphony Orchestra concert trailer The RSO just wrapped up an exciting sixty-first season. Joyce Yang returned to perform with the orchestra at their Season Finale Concert in April. An exceptional pianist who performed the Brahms Piano Concerto No. 1, Joyce is a powerhouse performer and such a joy to work with, which made for “an absolutely amazing weekend,” according to Garvie. During the February pops concert, “Fascinating Rhythm,” the orchestra was joined by two Broadway veterans, Capathia Jenkins and Aisha de Haas. It included chart-topping songs popularized by Ella Fitzgerald, Nat King Cole, Judy Garland, and many more iconic vocalists. One of the RSO’s goals has been to collaborate with the Eisemann Center for Performing Arts to co-present a pops concert. That dream will soon come true as the two entities co-present Judy Collins with full orchestral accompaniment on January 27, 2024. For more information about the Richardson Symphony Orchestra, visit http://richardsonsymphony.org or follow the RSO on Instagram @Richardson_symphony. MAESTRO CLAY COUTURIAUX Music has been present throughout Clay Couturiaux’s life. He could sense the power of music when he started singing in the church choir at age 5. By age 8, young Clay was playing the piano, which soon fueled his interest in other instruments. By age 10, he had found his instrument: the violoncello. Because it was an orchestral instrument, the violoncello introduced Clay to the symphony orchestra and, through the orchestra, he gained an appreciation for all instruments. However, he admits to remaining biased toward the cello. After attending his first orchestra rehearsal as a cellist at age 12, he knew he wanted to be a conductor. Couturiaux said, “Understanding what a conductor actually did opened up a new world to me.” Although he views great composers as the “true geniuses” and is content to leave the work of composing to them, he believes the role of the orchestra is to perform and to “recreate their music.” That process of re-creation is driven by the conductor. Along his path to becoming a conductor, Couturiaux earned his Bachelor of Music in violoncello from the University of North Texas in Denton, graduating with honors in 1994. He then continued his studies at the University of North Texas, earning a Master’s and a Doctorate in orchestral conducting by 2000. In addition, he developed his conducting skills at the world-renowned Pierre Monteux School for Conductors and Orchestra Musicians in Maine and at the National Arts Centre Conductors Programme in Ottawa, Canada. Maestro Couturiaux is now the Assistant Director of Orchestral Studies at the University of North Texas, where he teaches fundamentals of con- ducting technique, advanced orchestral conducting, administrates the orchestral studies area, and is conductor of the UNT Concert Orchestra. Couturiaux describes the art of conducting as “one of the most complex and demanding activities in the realm of music” because three things must come together: the conductor’s personal study, the preparation of rehearsal, and the culmination of the performance itself. Clay Couturiaux is the proud father of two teenage daughters. In his free