Building a Destination for the Arts in Ocala: Matt & Pamela Wardell

The Catalyst

Hear from a real power couple for music and the arts in Ocala. From the opening of the Reilly Arts Center in 2015, to the recent expansion and creation of the Community Music Conservatory, Matt and Pamela Wardell have truly created a destination for the arts in Ocala.
Nonprofits featured in this episode: The Reilly Arts Center, the Marion Theater, and the Ocala Symphony Orchestra Community Music Conservatory

Pamela Calero Wardell
Pamela is a seasoned performing arts management professional. She became Executive Director for the Ocala Symphony Orchestra in April 2014, and led the organization through a capital campaign to build and open the Reilly Arts Center, a 700-seat performing arts center that serves as the permanent home of the Ocala Symphony Orchestra, in October 2015. During her tenure with the Ocala Symphony, she has led two capital campaigns raising more than $9 million for building and expansion, directed two institutional rebrands, launched the Symphony’s first Community Music Conservatory, and was instrumental in taking management of Ocala's historic Marion Theatre. Pamela serves on the board for several organizations including Pace Center for Girls Marion and the Ocala Municipal Arts Commission and is currently a participant in the Anne Parsons Leadership Program as well as the Essentials of Orchestra Management Program through the League of American Orchestras. Honors include the FPRA Communicator of the Year Award, Emerging Leader of the Year by the Marion County Chamber, and the Marion Cultural Alliance Spirit Award. Pamela holds a master’s in business administration from Webster University and a Bachelor's degree in Public Relations from the University of Florida. Pamela is an avid lover of music, cinema, and animals.

Matt Wardell
Matt has served as the Music Director and Conductor of the Ocala Symphony Orchestra since 2009. He is a member of the College Orchestra Directors Association and the American Symphony Orchestra League. In addition to his success at the podium and in the orchestra pit, Matt has been a driving focus behind the creation and successive expansion of the Reilly Arts Center, the NOMA black box, and the Ocala Symphony Community Music Conservatory. Born in Jacksonville, Florida, Matt received his Bachelor of Music at the University of North Florida, and subsequent Masters and Doctoral degrees from the University of Florida. Matt spent five summers at the Pierre Monteux School for Conductors and Orchestra Musicians in Hancock, Maine under renowned conducting teacher Michael Jinbo. He has been recognized as both an Osher and Quimby Family Foundation scholar. Matt has also had the privilege to participate in master classes with Keith Lockhart of the Boston Pops and BBC Orchestra. Matt serves or has served on a number of boards including Arts in Health Ocala/Marion, Ocala Municipal Arts Commission (OMAC), and Young Professionals of Ocala (YPO). He was elected to Ocala’s City Council in 2015, where he served from six years. Matt and his wife, Pamela have one dog, Buckley. They enjoy traveling together and are both actively involved in serving their community.
The Catalyst is hosted by the Ocala Metro Chamber & Economic Partnership, sponsored by Douglas Law Firm and recorded live at Wiley Productions podcast studios, located in Ocala, Florida. New episodes, guests, and perspectives of leadership premiere twice a month. Follow us on Apple, Amazon, Spotify, or wherever you enjoy podcasts.