DuPage Symphony Orchestra Announces Opening Night Donor Reception Sponsors

The DuPage Symphony Orchestra (DSO) is delighted to announce Michele Westmaas, Financial Advisor with Thrivent, and Michelle Gonzalez-Tyler of Heritage Wealth Solutions as the generous sponsors of the 2025/26 DSO Opening Night Donor Reception.

The reception will take place on Saturday, October 11, from 5:30 to 6:30 PM in the Madden Lobby of Wentz Concert Hall, prior to the Orchestra’s season-opening concert, Tales of Imagination. Open to all donors, the event offers patrons the chance to mix and mingle, enjoy light bites, connect with members of the DSO Board, and hear a brief message from the sponsors about maximizing charitable giving while considering long-term financial and tax strategies. All donors are warmly invited to attend at any giving level. The DSO will send invitations via email to current donors in the coming weeks.

About the Sponsors:
Michele Westmaas brings a holistic approach to financial planning, helping families “build financial security, protect what matters most, and live generously according to their values.” With specialties in estate and retirement planning, she has a heart for working with women seeking financial empowerment, families raising children with disabilities, and LGBTQ+ individuals creating futures on their own terms. A committed advocate and community leader, Westmaas integrates generosity into planning so clients can give confidently to causes that matter most.

Michelle Gonzalez-Tyler, attorney and founder of Heritage Wealth Solutions, combines more than 16 years of legal experience with a heartfelt dedication to helping families safeguard their futures. Her practice centers on estate planning, including trusts, wills, and powers of attorney, crafted with compassion and care. Gonzalez-Tyler’s mission is to empower families to protect their legacies across generations, ensuring peace of mind, minimizing tax and legal disputes, and honoring each client’s unique story. Rooted in Bolingbrook, she is deeply committed to strengthening and supporting families in her community.

About the Concert
Immediately following the reception, donors are invited to enjoy the DSO’s highly anticipated 2025/26 Opening Night concert, Tales of Imagination, beginning at 7:30 PM in Wentz Concert Hall. The program features a unique saxophone concerto performed by internationally acclaimed guest artist Valentin Kovalev.

Kovalev, winner of the prestigious 2022 Naumburg Foundation Saxophone Competition, has performed as a soloist at Carnegie Hall and on international stages throughout Europe and Asia. Named a 2024 winner of the Concert Artists Guild Louis and Susan Meisel Competition, where he also earned the Audience Award, Kovalev is celebrated both as a performer and educator. Soon to serve as Visiting Professor at the Cleveland Institute of Music, he has also cultivated a global community of music lovers across social media, with over 100,000 followers inspired by his artistry and passion for classical saxophone.

Event Details

• Donor Reception: 5:30 – 6:30 PM, Madden Lobby, Wentz Concert Hall
• Concert: Tales of Imagination, 7:30 PM, featuring Valentin Kovalev, saxophone

For tickets and donor opportunities, visit www.dupagesymphony.org.