Paul Stoney Wins the Pursuit of the Podium
For the last six weeks, four distinguished Charlestonians have competed for the honor of conducting the Charleston Symphony Orchestra (CSO) during the Memorial Day weekend Sunset Serenade concert on Friday, May 25th at 8 pm. Voters have selected Paul L. Stoney, President/CEO of the Greater Charleston YMCA, to debut his conducting talents at the free concert, sponsored by the City of Charleston, on the steps of the U.S. Custom House. At $5/vote, friends, family and fans of the contestants voted to put their favorite candidate on the podium while supporting the Charleston Symphony Orchestra.
We want to thank these notable Charlestonians who made this fundraiser a success, raising more than $5,000 for the CSO. Please read about them below:
Jim Elliott
- Founder, Executive Director, Avian Conservation Center
- Lifelong mariner with a US Coast Guard Captain’s license
- Multiple awards include Order of the Palmetto & SEWE Lifetime Achievement Award
Leyla Gulen
- TV news anchor and reporter
- A former ballet dancer, trained at the School of American Ballet in New York City
- Celebrates the culinary arts & has a deep appreciation for the industry
- Passionate about traveling and exploring different cultures
CLICK HERE FOR LEYLA’S COMPLETE BIO
Paul Stoney
- President/CEO, YMCA of Greater Charleston
- Athlete and basketball coach
- Award winner for community service
- Founding member, Charleston Black Ink Festival
Sandy Tecklenburg
- Charleston’s First Lady and entrepreneur businesswoman
- Advocate for the arts and the homeless
- School booster and mentor
- Board member, Fresh Start Visions initiative on behalf of ex-offenders