Leadership

Ashley’s role with the Lakeland Symphony Orchestra as Executive Director provides her with an opportunity to put her fundraising, relationship-building, and communications skills to work. Inspired by her love of music and the community where she was born and raised, Ashley’s greatest desire is to ensure that professional symphonic music is accessible to everyone.

Before joining the LSO, Ashley honed her marketing and advertising skills at MADE Brands as an Account Executive. Prior to that, she spent her career sharing the mission and vision of one of Lakeland’s beloved nonprofits – Volunteers in Service to the Elderly (VISTE).

Ashley is a Lakeland native and earned her B.A. in Advertising from Florida Southern College. Many describe her as a bundle of energy always ready to contribute her love for authentic storytelling, and collaborative spirit to the task at hand.

Ashley is a graduate of Leadership Lakeland Class XXXVI, and the recipient of the United Way of Central Florida’s 2017’s Outstanding Partner Agency Employee Coordinator. She lives in Lakeland with her husband, Josh and her son, Jack.

Mark Thielen is a 40 year resident of Polk County. Mr. Thielen retired after 30 years of teaching in the public schools where he served as theory, electronic music instructor and orchestra director at the Harrison School for the Arts in Lakeland, Florida.

Mr. Thielen’s orchestras have performed successfully at state, regional, and national level festivals and conferences. From 2006-2015, Mark was the orchestra director at All-Saints’ Academy in Winter Haven where he taught string students in grades 6-12. In May of 2015, Mr. Thielen retired from his position at All Saints. He maintains a private studio as well as works with Central Florida schools as a guest clinician/conductor.

Maestro Thielen performs professionally with the Hollingsworth Trio and the Unstrung Quartet. He is a past president of the Florida Orchestra Association. For 14 years, he was conductor of the Honors Orchestra program at the University of Central Florida. Maestro Thielen has been associated with the Lakeland Symphony Orchestra for more than 40 seasons. He served as concertmaster and associate conductor for 24 of those years before becoming music director and conductor in 2000.

Christine Collister is the Bookkeeper for the Lakeland Symphony Orchestra. Originally from Massachusetts, Christine earned her BFA in violin at Ithaca College in New York. Christine honed both her musical and administrative skills in New York and Connecticut before moving to central Florida in 1999. In addition to classical music, Christine also enjoys performing jazz, folk, Celtic, bluegrass, and country and performs regularly throughout central Florida as a freelance musician. You can see Christine perform in Lakeland and surrounding venues with the Munn Park Saints and 32 Trees.

Besides music, Christine enjoys crochet, reading, travel, cooking, and trying new and exotic cuisine. Christine met her husband, Davis Collister, in the LSO (he in the bass section, she in the violins) and they live in Kathleen, FL with their son, Daniel.

Originally from New York, Taina relocated to Lakeland from Orlando in 2023, having called Florida home since 2011. She holds a master’s degree in Human Services Counseling with a focus in Life Coaching from Liberty University, along with both an associate’s and bachelor’s degree in Criminal Justice from Monroe College.

With 18 years of experience in the real estate industry, including more than a decade as an Executive Assistant, she recently transitioned to full-time ministry, focusing on the women’s ministry she founded in 2019, where she mentors women and teaches them how to study the Bible.

Outside of work, she enjoys fitness, wellness, and spending time with her husband and family.

As the Box Office and Administrative Assistant for the Lakeland Symphony Orchestra, Taina is excited to explore the world of music and learn how LSO enriches the community through its artistic offerings. She looks forward to bringing her administrative expertise, organizational skills, and passion for service to this new chapter in her professional journey.

With a warm and approachable personality, Taina is eager to make a meaningful impact at LSO and contribute to the vibrant cultural life of Lakeland.