Inclusion, Diversity, Equity & Accessibility
IDEA
Cultivating a Diverse and Inclusive Community:
Our Commitment to IDEA
STATEMENT OF INCLUSION, DIVERSITY, EQUITY & ACCESSIBILITY (IDEA): The Kokomo Symphony Orchestra (KSO) prioritizes Inclusion, Diversity, Equity and Accessibility (IDEA). Our goal is to create a symphony orchestra that reflects the diversity of our community in Kokomo and the surrounding region. Through our programming, we actively showcase a wide range of musical styles, composers and traditions, amplifying the voices and experiences of underrepresented groups.
We are dedicated to providing equal opportunities for musicians, staff, volunteers and audience members. Regardless of background, ethnicity, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, socio-economic status, disabilities, educational backgrounds, geographic locations, or religious beliefs, we ensure inclusivity and accessibility in our concert venues and events.
Ongoing dialogue with our community is vital. We value the input and perspectives of our diverse audience and supporters, recognizing that collaboration and shared experiences enrich the artistic vision of our orchestra.
Join us as we embrace Inclusion, Diversity, Equity and Accessibility. Together, let’s create a symphony orchestra that represents and serves our entire community, fostering a sense of belonging and unity through the power of music.
Sean Carey is a distinguished graduate of Indiana State University’s School of Music, having earned a Bachelor of Arts in Music Education with Magna Cum Laude honors. Under the tutelage of Dr. Bill Davis, he honed his violin skills and emerged as a talented musician.
Originally from Pennsylvania, Ellen began playing the cello in third grade, discovering a passion for music that has shaped both her education and career. She began teaching during her junior and senior years of high school, working with elementary-aged students in her community. That passion for music education continued through college and beyond as she maintained teaching private cello lessons while living in Fort Wayne, Indiana.
Conductor and violinist José Valencia has built a career around a simple conviction: orchestral music is most powerful when musicians and audiences feel genuinely connected to it.
Katie Huddleston’s musical journey began in Goshen, Indiana, where she discovered her love for the cello before transitioning to the captivating world of the string bass. As the first-ever String Bass major at Manchester University, she graduated in 2015 and embarked on a fulfilling career.