Sinfonia Gulf Coast — the only fully professional orchestra in the region with a mission to entertain, educate and inspire through innovative live music — is celebrating the growth of its team with new staff appointments, a promotion and the return of two special event assistants as the area’s only fully professional orchestra begins its 21st season.
Bridget Gorder, who joined Sinfonia in May 2024 as a marketing and events production intern, has been promoted to operations and patron services manager. An arts administrator, educator, conductor, performer and published researcher, Gorder earned a bachelor’s degree in choral music education from Florida State University, graduating summa cum laude. Her experience spans arts administration, patron services, event coordination, music education and performance. She is pursuing a master’s degree in arts administration and cultural entrepreneurship at Northeastern University, where she serves as a Creative Leader Fellow, and was recently selected to participate in the Emerging Leadership Institute at the 2027 Association of Performing Arts Professionals Conference in New York City.
Klara Mikolai, who joined Sinfonia in August 2025 as community partnership coordinator, serves in a newly created development role focused on building and strengthening relationships with the individuals and businesses that support the organization. Her responsibilities include prospecting new Treble Makers, sponsors and donors, as well as advertising supporters for the Bravo Beat program. Relationship management is also a key component of her role as Sinfonia continues to cultivate meaningful connections with supporters throughout the community.
Dr. Thomas Roggio joined Sinfonia in spring 2026 and begins his first full season as director of education and community engagement/Sinfonia Youth Orchestra programs. A conductor, violinist and educator based in Northwest Florida, Roggio has conducted for the Pas de Vie Ballet Company and Florida State University’s Housewright Virtuoso Series and previously served as graduate assistant conductor for FSU Orchestras and music director for The Studio Orchestra. As a violinist, he has performed with Sinfonia Gulf Coast, the Tallahassee Symphony, Panama City Symphony and Tallahassee Bach Parley. Roggio is a graduate of Florida State University, Bowling Green State University and the State University of New York at Fredonia.
Tara Bohlen joins Sinfonia as a strings instructor. A professional violinist and educator based in Santa Rosa Beach, Bohlen brings more than 25 years of teaching experience working with students of all ages and abilities. A graduate of St. Olaf College and certified Suzuki Talent Educator, she previously served as director of Bismarck Strolling Strings and as a secondary orchestra director in Bismarck Public Schools. Bohlen has performed as associate concertmaster of the Bismarck-Mandan Symphony Orchestra and with the Northwest Florida Symphony Orchestra, Panama City Symphony and Sinfonia Gulf Coast.
Rafael Paredes joins Sinfonia as a strings instructor. A classically trained violinist from Ecuador, Paredes began his musical journey at age 6. He studied at the Sergei Rachmaninoff Conservatory and performed with several of Ecuador’s leading youth and national orchestras. Now based in Santa Rosa Beach, Paredes performs at weddings, luxury events and private concerts throughout 30A, combining classical training with contemporary and cinematic repertoire.
“The strength of Sinfonia has always been the people behind the music,” said Demetrius Fuller, Sinfonia Gulf Coast founder and music and artistic director. “Bridget, Klara, Thomas, Tara and Rafael each bring talents and perspectives that strengthen our organization in important ways — from cultivating relationships and expanding music education to enhancing the experience we provide our patrons. We are excited about what these talented team members will add and help us accomplish as we continue to entertain, educate and inspire our community.”
Sinfonia also is pleased to welcome back Victoria Cetrone and Sandy Monteverde as special event assistants for Crescendo! 2027, Sinfonia’s annual fundraiser. The event will be held Sunday, Feb. 21, 2027, at Hilton Sandestin Beach Golf Resort & Spa. Cetrone and Monteverde return to support the production of the signature fundraising event, which benefits Sinfonia Gulf Coast and its music education and community engagement initiatives throughout Northwest Florida.
ABOUT SINFONIA GULF COAST
Sinfonia Gulf Coast was founded in 2005 on Florida’s Northwest Gulf Coast with the mission of redefining the symphony experience. Under the guidance of founder and Music Director Demetrius Fuller and a dedicated board of directors, the nonprofit orchestra is celebrating its 21st season of innovative musical programming, designed to entertain, educate and inspire the community. Since its founding, Sinfonia Gulf Coast has presented more than 800 concerts and events that have reached over 600,000 patrons, has collaborated with numerous nonprofits and businesses throughout the community, and has reached more than 275,000 children through its Sinfonia Guest Artists in the Schools program/music education outreach initiatives. For more information on Sinfonia Gulf Coast, visit SinfoniaGulfCoast.org, call (850) 460-8800 or email info@sinfoniagulfcoast.org.
