In celebration of the 69th Annual Jewel Ball, the Women’s Symphony League of Austin (WSL) unveiled its Royal Court participants on May 17 during their annual Jewel Tea held at the home of Stacy Toomey. The 2024 Jewel Committee, chaired by Jennifer Bell and Meredith Presley Wood, had the privilege of selecting this year’s Royal Court.
“We are honored to announce this group of exceptional individuals from families who have demonstrated unwavering support to ASO,” Bell and Wood said in a joint statement. “We are delighted to welcome these remarkable families to join us for the highly anticipated Jewel Ball events in September!”
This year’s Royal Court includes: Her Royal Majesty, the Diamond Queen Kathryn Rose Tully, Daughter of Knight and Mrs. John David Tully Escorted by Mr. John Tyler Jones, Son of Mr. and Mrs. John Taylor Jones and Grandson of Deputy Lord Chancellor and Mrs. John T. Jones; Princess Annabelle Katheryne Kuehl, Daughter of Mr. And Mrs. Joel Todd Kuehl and Granddaughter of Lord Chancellor XXXXVI Robert A. Shoop and the late Shay Shoop, Escorted by Mr. Christian Miguel Hellmund, Son of Knight and Mrs. Miguel Hellmund; Princess Mary Margaret Dahl McCracken, Daughter of Knight and Mrs. Dax McCracken and Granddaughter of the late Lord Chancellor XXXVI Jeran Hooten and Mrs. Janet Hooten and Great-Granddaughter of the late King Brio IX and Mrs. Joe D. Hooten, Escorted by Mr. Hub William Bechtol, Son of Mrs. Kathryn Scarborough Corbitt and Mr. Joshua Patrick Corbitt and the late Hub Nance Bechtol, and Grandson of Knight and Mrs. Steven Don Turnquist; Princess Audrey Elizabeth Rose, Daughter of Knight and Mrs. Sean Christian Rose, Granddaughter of Lord of the Privy Seal and Mrs. William F. Kemp, and Great-Granddaughter of the late Knight and Mrs. Horace Guy Spiller, Escorted by Mr. Sheppard Riley Tyler, Son of Knight and Mrs. Marvin Craig Tyler; Princess Fiona Adelle Rubiano, Daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Paul D. Shropshire and Granddaughter of Deputy Lord Chancellor and Mrs. John T. Jones, Escorted by Mr. Johnny Ty Hoisington, Son of Mr. and Mrs. David Hoisington and Grandson of Knight and Mrs. Van R. Hoisington.
WSL is delighted to have a wonderful group of Visiting Jewels and Escorts: The Pink Sapphire of Waco Duchess Mary Elizabeth Barnhill, Daughter of Mr. and Mrs. M. Bryon Barnhill Representing the Waco Symphony Council, Escorted by Mr. Alexander Colgin Dietz, Son of Mr. and Mrs. William Henry Dietz, Jr. Representing the Waco Symphony Council; The Ruby of Dallas Duchess Catherine Bradford Hunt, Daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Zimri Hunt, Representing the Dallas Symphony Orchestra League; The Blue Sapphire of Lubbock Duchess Taylor Olivia McCall, Daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Frederick Michael Stangl and Mr. and Mrs. Damon McCall, Representing the Lubbock Symphony Guild, Escorted by Mr. Preston Schmid Son of Dr. and Mrs. Robert Schmid, Representing the Lubbock Symphony Guild.
This year’s Jewel Ball events are chaired by Mary Love and Sullie Stephens. “Each September, these events serve as WSL’s largest fundraising effort for our beloved Symphony Orchestra. Not only do they provide vital financial backing, but they also uphold a cherished tradition that enriches the cultural fabric of our city. It's through these events that we ensure the Symphony's enduring place in the heart of our community,” according to Love and Stephens.
The highlight of the Jewel Ball festivities is the 69th Annual Jewel Ball, themed "Night of Illusions," which will be a dazzling black-tie evening at the Palmer Events Center on Saturday, September 21. Entertaining over 1,000 guests, the event features a presentation of the Royal Court and Junior Royalty, live and silent auctions, live music, a speakeasy, and a casino. Past WSL President, Pamela Bell is the honorary Jewel Ball Chair, she is recognized for her more than 50 years of tireless dedication and service to the organization.
WSL’s Fashion Luncheon, “Enchanté Couture,” takes place the day before Jewel Ball on Friday, September 20 at Palmer Events Center. As a tribute to her long-standing commitment to the WSL, Sidney Jones has been named as the honorary Fashion Luncheon chair. Charlotte Blackmore and Amanda Powell are the Fashion Luncheon Chairs.
Festivities begin with the annual Soirée Dansante, a semi-formal dance for 9th and 10th grade high school students. This year’s event, “Twilight Masquerade,” will take place on September 15 at the JLA Community Impact Center and is chaired by Amy Hajdu and Caron Hutchison.
The funds raised by the Jewel Ball events support education programs for the Symphony that will reach 50,000 K-12 students across Central Texas over the next year. These programs include Young People’s Concerts, which introduce children in the 4th to 6th grade to the wonders of symphonic music each year, and ASO's annual High School Concert tour that travels to area high schools, showcasing outstanding band and orchestra students from each school, who play side-by-side with ASO musicians.
Since 1953, the members of the Women’s Symphony League of Austin have dedicated energy, talent, and volunteerism by providing service and financial support to the Austin Symphony Orchestra. The Women’s Symphony League is the Symphony’s largest annual financial supporter of educational programs for children. More than 50,000 children benefit from the innovative educational programs of the Austin Symphony Orchestra each year. For more information, visit wslaustin.org.
