Julia Simpson, the CSO’s Advancement Research Analyst, started with the orchestra at the beginning of the 2023-2024 season. Julia enjoys working closely with Simms Oliphant, Director of Advancement, to oversee gift entry, donor stewardship, and financial reporting for the Advancement Department. More specifically, Julia manages the orchestra’s donor database, conducts prospective donor research, and provides financial reports and metrics to CSO Staff and Board Members.

Ms. Simpson, originally from Oconomowoc, Wisconsin, is also a classically trained oboist and violinist. She attended the Shepherd School of Music at Rice University in Houston, Texas for her undergraduate degree, where she was a student of Robert Atherholt, retired principal oboist of the Houston Symphony. She completed her graduate studies at the Cleveland Institute of Music with Frank Rosenwein, principal oboist of The Cleveland Orchestra. While at CIM, she also completed training to be a Suzuki Violin instructor with Kimberly Meier-Sims.

Katherine Sutton is a passionate non-profit professional with more than six years of experience fostering strategic partnerships and strengthening mission-driven organizations. She holds a Master’s in Non-Profit Management and Philanthropy from Bay Path University and a Bachelor’s in Psychology from the University of Colorado Boulder, bringing both expertise and heart to her work. Katherine has served in key roles with The ALS Association, the American Red Cross, and other national non-profits, where she focused on improving systems, streamlining operations, and building strong, collaborative networks.

Sallie joined the Charleston Symphony in July 2025, bringing a unique blend of creative passion, operational expertise, and leadership experience to her role as Advancement Operations Manager. A Columbia, SC native, Sallie’s deep roots in the performing arts began early – participating in musical theatre, a cappella, and touring both nationally and internationally with the Trinity Episcopal Cathedral Girls Choir.

She earned her B.A. in Production Studies in Performing Arts with a Music Emphasis and a minor in Business Administration from Clemson University, where she was actively involved in the Clemson University Singers and served as Marketing Manager for TakeNote, Clemson’s all-female a cappella group. Her choral experience includes elite ensembles such as the Trinity Cathedral Choir and the St. Gregory Choir at Grace Church Cathedral, where she continues to perform for services, concerts, and tours.

Ronreguss Grant Jr. was born in Charleston, South Carolina. His musical journey began in the fourth grade at Northwoods Academy. He continued to develop his skills through the Berkeley County public school system, ultimately graduating from the Berkeley Center for the Arts at Goose Creek High School with a concentration in Winds and Percussion.

Mr. Grant went on to pursue higher education at the College of Charleston, where he studied flute under Jessica Hull-Dambaugh and majored in Arts Management with a concentration in the music industry. In 2024, during his senior year, he joined the Charleston Symphony as an Executive Management Fellow.

After earning his degree in 2025, Mr. Grant continued his arts administration career with the Charleston Symphony.

Marketing & Design Manager Ali Pierce brings additional creativity to the Charleston Symphony, using her artistic mind to craft print and digital marketing materials and run our social media accounts. A pianist since childhood, Ali enjoys sharing the magic of the Symphony with Charleston through accessible graphics and community outreach. Alongside receiving her BFA from Colorado State University with a concentration in Graphic Design and a minor in Business Administration, Ali dedicated her career to nonprofit work and has held positions with United Way, USDA-APHIS, and other revered organizations.

Michael Smith is driven to advance the art form of orchestral music to be a sustainable and integral part of modern society. In particular, he is passionate about the Charleston Symphony Orchestra becoming the benchmark for how a modern symphony serves its community through powerful performances and impactful educational programs.  Michael began his tenure with the CSO as a musician in the orchestra. He won an audition for Second Trumpet in 2006 and was later appointed to Principal Trumpet in 2009. 

Following the challenges of the Great Recession, Michael believed the CSO needed Executive Leadership that matched the passion and tenacity that existed on the stage. After a national search, Smith was named Executive Director in 2013. Under his leadership, the CSO finished each year leading up to the pandemic with positive
operating results and the CSO became one of the only orchestras in the United States to continue to safely perform symphonic music for live audiences without pause. On the heels of the pandemic, Smith secured a $2 million lead gift that ultimately led to the CSO’s first ever endowment campaign. Smith rallied the board, staff, and musicians together to raise more than $15 million dollars in 18 months, securing the organization’s future. Michael was named CEO of the Charleston Symphony in March 2024.

A former violinist turned administrative professional, Alana Morrall joined the Charleston Symphony team in 2018 as Director of Development, leading the organization’s fundraising efforts. In 2020, Alana took on the Symphony’s marketing endeavors when the pandemic necessitated the merging of two departments and worked diligently to ensure donor and audience relationships continued to thrive during the unprecedented pandemic.

Jenny Baldwin joined the Charleston Symphony in 2022 and serves as the Executive Assistant to the CEO and Director of Human Resources. In this dual role, Jenny is the primary liaison with the Board of Directors, managing all communications and logistics, while overseeing critical personnel functions such as payroll and benefits administration. Jenny is also responsible for maintaining the CSO’s office space to ensure smooth and efficient operations.

Simms Oliphant joined the Charleston Symphony team in the summer of 2021 as Development and Marketing Manager. Currently serving as the Director of Institutional Advancement, Simms immensely enjoys building and strengthening relationships with the CSO’s tremendous base of supporters and community advocates, and she strategically leads the advancement of contributed revenue to bolster the CSO’s vibrant artistic, educational, and community impact. As a former vocalist with a Music Composition degree from the University of South Carolina School of Music, music has always played an integral role in Simms’ life as a lifelong arts enthusiast. A deep passion for understanding how the arts can profoundly enrich lives led Simms to relocate to London, England to earn a master’s degree in Arts and Cultural Management from King’s College London where she graduated with distinction while working with renowned partner organizations including the Royal Opera House, Tate Modern, Cadogan Hall, and the Handel & Hendrix Museum.

Rachel joined the Charleston Symphony as Music Librarian in the spring of 2013 and continues to frequently perform throughout the Charleston community and can also be seen joining the viola section of the Charleston Symphony. She has performed in the viola sections of the Savannah Philharmonic, Hilton Head Symphony Orchestra, and South Carolina Philharmonic. In addition to her responsibilities as Principal Librarian for the Charleston Symphony and a busy performance schedule, she is also trained in the Suzuki Method and maintains a private studio out of her home in West Ashley for beginner through intermediate violin and viola students. During the summers Rachel enjoys joining her husband, CSO Assistant Concertmaster Micah Gangwer, traveling to Brunswick, Maine, for the Bowdoin International Music Festival.

Mitsuko Flynn is the Chief Operations & Impact Officer. She joined the CSO team in 2015 and brings a wealth of experience, having previously worked with the Paterson Music Project, an El Sistema-inspired music program in Paterson, NJ, focused on providing music education to children from underserved communities. A cellist, Mitsuko also served as a dedicated faculty member at the John J. Cali School of Music Preparatory Division at Montclair State University, where she not only taught cello but also oversaw the chamber music program.

In addition to holding the position of Bass Trombonist with the orchestra since 1995, Tom Joyce has also served the organization as Personnel Manager since 2010. When Joyce is off the stage, he is responsible for working in collaboration with the Principal Core Musicians to identify, recruit, review, engage, house, and pay the 20-60 guest musicians that are needed to ensure each orchestra concert is performed at the highest possible artistic quality.

If you have ever wondered who is behind the voice you hear upon calling our office, it’s our beloved Director of Patron Services, Cindy Branch! The longest tenured staff member with the Charleston Symphony, Cindy joined the organization in the Spring of 1987 and has continued to serve the organization through thick and thin.

With a wealth of experience and dedication, Cindy helps thousands of CSO patrons with individual ticket sales, season subscriptions, seating change requests, answering a range of questions, and more. If you have a favorite seat in the hall, she knows what it is, along with the name of your first grandchild!