Our Executive Director

Corliss Bachman's connection with the Pennsylvania Sinfonia Orchestra began in the late 1980's, when she attended some of the concerts, enjoyed them, and became a subscriber. (The first concert she remembers distinctly was at Labuda Center at Allentown College--now DeSales University--with flute soloist Gary Schocker.)

Before long, classical music lovers and Sinfonia patrons Gene and Betty Innis recommended that Corliss join the Board of Directors. She did so and gradually became more involved in the administration of the organization. In 1995 she sought to save the office staff time and money, and took the responsibility for producing the concert programs (a task that continues to this day). She participated in organizing the annual Art Auctions, and served on numerous committees. In 2004, at the urging of former President John Lapidakis, Corliss accepted the Presidency of the Sinfonia Board of Directors.

During this time, professionally, Corliss had maintained a full-time career as a writer, editor, designer and communications coordinator in both corporate and non-profit settings: at Lehigh Cement Company, Via of the Lehigh Valley, Rodale Press, Wainwright's Fling Vacations and the Sun Inn Preservation Association.

In April 2011 Corliss left her volunteer status and took on the role of Executive Director for the Pennsylvania Sinfonia Orchestra, now working daily with the staff, musicians, board members, patrons, volunteers and community partners who make it possible for the orchestra to bring first-rate live classical music to a diverse and expanding audience.

Corliss has been a Soprano I in the Bach Choir of Bethlehem for twenty years, which has afforded her the opportunity to sing locally, nationally and internationally. She is active with the Society of the Arts of the Allentown Art Museum, serves on the Visual Arts Board of ArtsQuest, and on the board of the Kutztown University Foundation. She is also a freelance contributor to Patch.com news web sites in the Lehigh Valley. She earned a degree in Journalism from The Pennsylvania State University.

Corliss invites all those reading this account to follow her organic development, and take the path to becoming listeners, subscribers, volunteers, donors and staunch supporters of the Pennsylvania Sinfonia Orchestra.

Reach Corliss by email at pasinfonia@verizon.net