Leadership

Fueled by a love of music and a deep commitment to her hometown, Ashley Miller serves as Executive Director of the Lakeland Symphony Orchestra, blending her passion for the arts with expertise in fundraising, relationship building, and strategic communications. A lifelong Lakelander, Ashley is dedicated to ensuring that professional symphonic music remains vibrant and accessible to everyone.

Her career began in mission-driven nonprofit work with Volunteers in Service to the Elderly (VISTE), where she helped share the organization’s story and strengthen its connection to the community. She later honed her marketing and advertising skills as an Account Executive at MADE Brands, experience she now channels into advancing the orchestra’s mission.

Ashley holds a B.A. in Advertising from Florida Southern College. When she’s not at the symphony, you can find her spending time with her husband and ten-year-old son, enjoying the beach, or embracing life right here in her hometown.

Jason Thomas Aylward is a dynamic conductor, trumpet soloist, composer, and educator whose career spans orchestral, chamber, educational, and community-based music making. Described by Patron Magazine as “a musician for all seasons,” Aylward is known for his versatility, collaborative leadership, and commitment to audience engagement. He has performed with professional ensembles across the country and has appeared as a conductor with numerous orchestras and festivals nationwide. In addition to his performance career, Aylward is deeply committed to music education and currently serves as Director of Bands and Orchestra and trumpet professor at Southeastern University in Lakeland, Florida.

Tess Tapia brings a strong background in arts, culture, and customer service to her role. Most recently, she worked with the City of Lakeland, supporting arts and cultural programming through the Library system. Prior to that, she spent nearly a decade at VISTE (Volunteers in Service to the Elderly), where she developed deep experience in nonprofit operations, community engagement, and service.

A graduate of Florida Southern College, Tess is passionate about serving her community through meaningful and accessible arts experiences. She lives in Lakeland with her husband and their one-year-old daughter.

Shelby Montgomery is an accomplished orchestra director and string artist based in Lakeland, Florida. She leads student orchestras at George Jenkins High School and Lakeland Highlands Middle School, with ensembles regularly earning top results at music performance assessments. Her Rockestra program has been featured in numerous clinics and workshops, and she is an active member of FMEA, presenting at state MEA conferences in Massachusetts, Ohio, and Texas.

In addition to her work in education, Shelby is deeply involved in the Central Florida music scene. She serves as personnel manager and bassist for the Lakeland Symphony Orchestra and performs regularly in pit orchestras for collegiate, community, and regional theatre productions, having played for over 70 shows including The Bridges of Madison County, Carousel, The Last Five Years, and Les Misérables. She also plays electric bass in the all-female band Natural Woman: A Tribute to Carole King, and in March 2023 performed with the orchestra for The Eagles’ Hotel California tour. Shelby is a proud graduate of Florida State University, earning both her BME and MME degrees.

George Linakis holds a Master of Music in Performance from Florida International University. An accomplished clarinetist, he is a key member of the Lakeland Symphony Orchestra, where he serves as principal clarinet and contributes his leadership as music librarian. He has also performed with the Florida Wind Band, South Shore Symphony Orchestra, Fanfare Concert Winds, Tampa Bay Symphonic Winds, and in various chamber music groups throughout the Tampa Bay region.

Earlier in his career, George performed with the North Miami Beach Orchestra and Miami Symphony Orchestra, and freelanced in Zarzuela, opera, and musical theatre productions in Miami.

Shannon Pierce is a seasoned stage manager based in Lakeland, where she lives with her three children. She brings expertise, organization, and a collaborative spirit to productions with the Lakeland Symphony Orchestra and other local organizations. Actively involved in the community, Shannon also supports school theatre programs, sharing her passion for the performing arts and helping nurture the next generation of performers.