Nearly 1000 guests turned out in black-tie for the Women’s Symphony League’s Platinum Jubilee Ball, celebrating 70 years of WSL’s support of the Austin Symphony Orchestra. The highly anticipated event was held at the Palmer Events Center and featured a night of dazzling entertainment, including the presentation of the Royalty Court, dining, dancing, live auction, and casino games.
Susan and David Douglas were Honorary Chairs for the annual event. Tricia Moose and Elizabeth Doughtie served as Jewel Ball co-chairs, supported by a 60 member volunteer committee.
Doughtie said, “Tricia Moose and I are honored to chair this year’s Jewel Ball, continuing the cherished Austin tradition that benefits the Austin Symphony Orchestra. She continued, “It is with great pride that we celebrate the families of our Royal Court and their commitment to the arts in Austin. The funds raised by the Jewel Ball support education programs of the Symphony that will reach 50.000 K-12 students over the next year.”
The centerpiece of the evening was the presentation of the Royal Court, which brings together college-aged young women to represent their communities. The Visiting Jewels from Dallas, Lubbock, and Waco joined this year’s Diamond Queen and two princesses from Austin, honoring the support Austin gives to the Austin Symphony Orchestra.
The 2025 Royal Court included His Royal Majesty, King Brio LIX, and the following outstanding young women and their escorts:
Her Royal Majesty, the Diamond Queen Rylee Walker of the House of Hissey
Daughter of Knight and Mrs. Michael Eugene Hissey
Escorted by Mr. Henry Newton Bell V
Son of Chancellor and Mrs. Henry Newton IV
Grandson of the Mrs. Pamela Roberts Bell and the late Lord Chancellor LIII Henry Newton Bell III
and
Mr. Callahan Dixon Geisler
Son of Mr. and Mrs. Richard Charles Geisler
And Mr. Callahan Dixon Geisler
Son of Mrs. and Mrs. Richard Charles Geisler
Princess Reese Madison Bain
Daughter of Knight and Mrs. David Fallon Bain
Escorted by Mr. Michael Butler van Bavel
Son of Knight and Mrs. Nicholas Richard van Bavel
Grandson of King BrioXXXII and Mrs. Ernest Charles Butler
Princess Katherine Elizabether Martineau
Escorted by Mr. Zachary Marc Zimmermann
Son of Ms. Ashley Ann Smith
Visiting Jewels and Escorts
The Pink Diamond of Dallas
Duchess Annabether Gracelyn Winn
Daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Lester Martin Winn
Representing the Dallas Symphony Orchestra League
Escorted by Mr. Ryan Nicholas J. McCord
Representing the Dallas Symphony Orchestra League Honor Guard
The Ruby of Lubbock
Duchess Reese Morgan Rogers
Daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Kirk Rogers
Representing the Lubbock Symphony League
The WSL is the largest annual donor to the Austin Symphony Orchestra. Since 2002, the Jewel Ball has raised more than $5 million for the Austin Symphony Orchestra (ASO), making the WSL one of the most significant financial supporters of classical music in Austin. The contributions made have enabled the ASO to expand its programs and increase the number of schools served. WSL also provides hundreds of volunteers to support events, including the Tuneful Tales / Cuentos melódicos program, which is offered in both English and Spanish in partnership with the Austin Public Libraries.
To learn more, visit www.wslaustin.org.
Photo credit—Jetter Photography
