Amazing Volunteers Make the Arts Possible

We couldn’t do what we do at the ASC without our amazing, and ever-growing, group of dedicated volunteers which includes our ushers! Did you know that our ASC ushers are all volunteers, not paid staff? You have to ask, who are these people who are willing to donate so much of their time? The answer to that question is the fun part! They are the most diverse group of people you can imagine. What they have in common is a true love for the arts and desire to see Birmingham’s cultural community thrive.

“They are the Greeters, the Seaters, the Direction Givers, and the Completers of what is a communal effort to satisfy the needs of the Patrons of the ASC,” says Jerry Sims, ASC House Events Manager and Volunteer Coordinator. Jerry goes on to say, “Each year, more than 2,500 Usher assignments are filled by these volunteers that give us their generous time and efforts. It would be difficult for us to keep the doors open without their assistance. Cheers for them all!”

Brad & Donna Dahl are two of these valuable individuals. Donna talks about her experience as an ASC Usher:


"Brad is a physical therapist and I am a teacher. We have been ushers for about 10 years at the Alys Stephens Center. It is an incredible gift to be able to see such outstanding talent presented by the ASC for only giving our time. We smile, greet, and tell folks we are happy they chose to come to a concert. Wow!! Both of us enjoy many types of music - classical, folk, Celtic, jazz, world, and most especially the focus on the talent in music and dance from many cultures around the globe. The variety offered by the Alys Stephens Center is perfect for us.

Thinking back on really memorable events brings to mind Eileen Ivers and Immigrant Soul with her amazing stage presence and talent, Itzhak Perlman transported us to a realm of music reserved only for the heavens, Anoushka and her father Ravi Shankar, what a privilege to be in the same hall with the spiritual embodiment of grace and beauty in the dichotomy of youth and age! The Spanish classical guitarist who played "Aranjuez" with the Alabama Symphony Orchestra and his encore composition dedicated to his father who taught him brought tears to our eyes with his mastery of technique and tenderness of delivery.

Each evening as we arrive we feel honored to have the opportunity to volunteer and welcome guests who come to enjoy, always leaving the performance on a higher plane."

Please give Brad and Donna a thank you the next time you see them at the ASC. Their dedication along with that of hundreds of others allows us to keep ticket prices affordable for the whole community!