
The Canton Symphony Orchestra recognizes the need for change within the classical music world. For too long, the traditions of this art form have overlooked many communities whose voices and contributions deserve to be heard.
As a regional orchestra, we believe that meaningful change begins right here – within our own community.
Through Orchestrating Change, we aim to open conversations that make the concert hall a more welcoming space for all, while fostering greater inclusion, representation, and diversity both on stage and beyond.
The Canton Symphony Orchestra recognizes the need for change within the classical music world. For too long, the traditions of this art form have overlooked many communities whose voices and contributions deserve to be heard.
As a regional orchestra, we believe that meaningful change begins right here – within our own community.
Through Orchestrating Change, we aim to open conversations that make the concert hall a more welcoming space for all, while fostering greater inclusion, representation, and diversity both on stage and beyond.
Episodes

Friday May 31, 2024
Episode 42 with Mary Verdi-Fletcher
Friday May 31, 2024
Friday May 31, 2024
We welcome Mary Verdi-Fletcher, a professional wheelchair dancer and the founding Artistic Director of the Dancing Wheels Company, a physically integrated dance troupe that has operated in Northeast Ohio for over four decades. She also founded the Dancing Wheels School, which has since become the world’s epicenter for professional training in physically integrated dance. She and her company performed with the Canton Symphony Orchestra in 2015, where they were part of the world premiere of Stephen Melillo’s Symphony No. 4 “Lightfall” and also danced to the Adagietto from Mahler’s Fifth Symphony. She has been a tireless advocate for equal rights for disabled people, including lobbying for the passage of the Americans with Disabilities Act.
Orchestrating Change is available wherever you get your podcasts. We also have a new website! Go to www.orchestratingchange.com to sign-up for email reminders, view past episodes, and see the various channels where you can view our content. For more information about everything else we are offering at this time, please visit www.cantonsymphony.org.

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