A growing Lake County nonprofit is bringing classical and jazz performances into remarkable historic settings while building a stronger local audience for the arts.

A concert hall does not always have to look like one.

For Howey Music Series, it can be a historic mansion, an intimate room or another unexpected setting where the surroundings become part of the performance. The independent nonprofit presents professional classical and jazz concerts in communities with limited traditional arts infrastructure, giving local audiences the opportunity to experience exceptional live music closer to home.

“We present classical and jazz concerts in spectacular nontraditional concert venues in areas with limited arts infrastructure,” said Emily Heumann, executive and artistic director of Howey Music Series.

That mission grew from a clear need. Heumann saw few opportunities in the area to attend the caliber of classical and jazz performances more commonly associated with major cities and established performing arts centers.

“There were no other world-class classical or jazz music events happening in my area,” she said.

Rather than waiting for that infrastructure to arrive, Howey Music Series is creating its own path—bringing artists and audiences together in spaces that make each concert feel personal, memorable and distinct.

Finding a Mount Dora Home at Sydonie Mansion

Howey Music Series was founded in Howey-in-the-Hills, but its growing relationship with Mount Dora began after the organization discovered Sydonie Mansion.

The historic property immediately felt aligned with the series’ vision.

“The Sydonie Mansion is a cultural gem, and once we found it, we fell in love with it,” Heumann said.

Today, Howey Music Series presents several concerts there each year. The setting offers more than a beautiful backdrop. Its architecture, history and intimate atmosphere help transform a performance into a complete experience.

For audience members, that may mean discovering a new musician, hearing a familiar style of music in an entirely different way or simply experiencing one of the area’s most distinctive properties through live performance.

The partnership has also given the nonprofit an important connection to Mount Dora. After recently joining the Mount Dora Area Chamber of Commerce, the organization hopes to continue building relationships and becoming more involved in the local community.

An Independent Nonprofit Behind Every Performance

Many guests are surprised to learn that Howey Music Series is its own nonprofit organization and is not operated by the venues where its concerts are held.

The organization is responsible for developing its programming, coordinating performers, producing events and building the audience needed to sustain the series. The mansions and other locations serve as venue partners, while the nonprofit provides the artistic vision and work behind each experience.

That distinction is important because the organization currently operates with a very small team. Heumann is its only employee and works on a very limited part-time basis, with volunteers helping carry out a mission that has significant potential for growth.

“We have a lot of opportunity for growth, but growth takes time,” she said. “We currently have one very part-time employee—me—and volunteers, so none of us are being compensated for the amount of work needed to grow.”

Behind the polished performances is a team doing the work of a much larger arts organization. Each concert requires planning, coordination, promotion, relationship-building and countless operational details.

That experience has taught Heumann the importance of creating strong internal systems before an organization becomes too busy to develop them.

“Internal systems can save you a lot of time and headache,” she said.

It has also reinforced the value of surrounding the mission with people who genuinely believe in it.

Her advice to other local leaders is simple: “Build a team of people who truly care about what you’re doing.”

Creating an Audience That Comes Back

For Howey Music Series, success is not measured only by how many people attend a single performance.

The organization is working to introduce the series to new audiences while building lasting relationships with those who have already attended. Heumann sees a returning guest as one of the clearest signs that the experience made an impact.

“We are looking to attract new audience members and retain previous audience members,” she said. “When people return, I think it’s a huge win.”

That emphasis on return attendance reflects the organization’s larger goal. Howey Music Series is not simply filling dates on an event calendar. It is helping build a culture in which classical and jazz performances become a regular and valued part of life in Lake County.

The nontraditional settings can make that first visit feel less intimidating for someone who may not consider themselves a regular classical or jazz listener. Instead of entering a formal concert hall, guests are invited into an atmospheric historic property where the experience feels close, welcoming and connected to the community.

The music remains the centerpiece, but the setting provides an accessible entry point.

A New Season Ahead

Howey Music Series will begin its next season in October, bringing another lineup of performances to the region and creating new opportunities for audiences to experience live music in remarkable surroundings.

The season also represents another step in the organization’s growth. With an expanding audience, a stronger connection to Mount Dora and a mission that addresses a genuine cultural need, Heumann sees considerable opportunity ahead.

The challenge will be building the team, systems and support necessary to meet that opportunity.

For now, the organization continues to grow one concert and one returning audience member at a time—proving that world-class music does not require a major metropolitan concert hall.

Sometimes, it only requires the right artists, a committed team and an unexpected place willing to become a stage.

Quick Insights

Why Mount Dora?
Howey Music Series fell in love with Sydonie Mansion and now presents several concerts there each year.

Biggest leadership lesson:
Strong internal systems can prevent significant time and operational challenges as an organization grows.

Biggest challenge:
The nonprofit has considerable growth potential but currently relies on one very part-time employee and a dedicated volunteer team.

Definition of success:
Attracting new audience members while giving previous guests a reason to return.

Something people may not know:
Howey Music Series is an independent nonprofit organization, not a program operated by the venues that host its concerts.

Advice to other local leaders:
Build a team of people who truly care about the work and the mission.

What is next?
A new concert season begins in October.