About CPMF
Cactus Pear Music Festival was founded in 1996 by Stephanie Sant'Ambrogio, former concertmaster of the San Antonio Symphony for 13 years. Stephanie's musical lineage is one of performers and pedagogues: her grandmother Isabelle Schiebler Sant'Ambrogio was a concert pianist and teacher; her grandfather Anthony Sant'Ambrogio was a violinist and violist, once a member of the St. Louis Symphony; John Sant'Ambrogio, her father, retired as Principal Cello with the St. Louis Symphony; and, her sister Sara is the cellist in the award-winning Eroica Trio. Music is definitely in the family genes!
Looking to fill the summer void of classical music in South Texas as the San Antonio Symphony went on its 3-month hiatus and symphony musicians left for music festivals far and wide, Stephanie's brainstorm came one sultry evening on the café banks of the River Walk as she sipped a signature Zuni Grill cactus pear margarita.
¡Caramba!, she exclaimed, and a music festival was born … a festival with all the refreshing COOL and vibrancy of the color of its namesake drink.
We've now booked 28 seasons of extraordinary performances and are ready and excited for our 29th. It's added up to a
festivalography
that includes some of the most sublime music the world has ever heard.
Summer 2022 was a momentous festival season as Stephanie completed 26 seasons as Artistic Director and she, Reneé and the Board handed over the reins recently to our new visionary Artistic Director Jeffrey Sykes who opened his CPMF account with a season called "Same Carriage. Fresh Horses: A Season of Continuity and Dynamic Change."
The 28th season entitled "Spur of the Moment" was a resounding success! We look forward to the 29th.
Artistic Director
Jeffrey Sykes • Acclaimed by the Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung as "a commanding solo player, the most supportive of accompanists, and a leader in chamber music," pianist Jeffrey Sykes has performed across four continents and collaborates regularly with leading instrumentalists and singers. Recent performances include a recital on Chicago’s prestigious Dame Myra Hess concert series; a tour of France that culminated in performances at the Musée des Impressionismes in Giverny, home of Claude Monet; and song recitals at the African American Art Song Alliance in Irvine, California.
CPMF Executive Director
Reneé Davis • Reneé has been Executive Director of CPMF since 2006. She is a true Texas girl right down to her cowgirl boots and Charlie Horse hats. When she isn’t working on the festival, she enjoys her beautiful grandchildren, her dog Sam Elliott, rodeo and dancing. Her husband Gene and she have been known to cut a rug or two in some of Texas's most famous dance halls. Community and family are important to Reneé and she surrounds herself with opportunities to serve others by donating countless hours of fundraising assistance to many local nonprofits. She believes that each of us has a part to play in making our world a better place.
CPMF Board President
Jan Holmes • A philanthropy professional, Jan serves nonprofits in San Antonio and nationwide as advisor for M. Leslie Palmer Consulting Group and senior consultant with Connected Philanthropy. Jan is also a Nonprofit Lifecycles Institute capacity building consultant, and she helps nonprofits identify the needs of their Lifecycle stage and develop a strong and sustainable organization. She has received training from The Fund Raising School at Indiana University Lilly Family School of Philanthropy and Arizona State University Lodestar Center’s Nonprofit Management Institute. In addition, she has a background in marketing and a Marketing Strategy Certificate from Cornell University. Prior to her consulting work, Jan worked for National Audubon Society, Partners International, and Act One, an arts education nonprofit. She began her career as assistant manager of the Kalamazoo Symphony after majoring in music at Kalamazoo College.
Artistic Director Emerita
Stephanie Sant'Ambrogio • Praised as an “expressive and passionate chamber musician” by the San Antonio Express-News, and described as a “violinist who most often takes your breath away” by Gramophone magazine, Stephanie enjoys a varied performing and recording career as a soloist, chamber musician and orchestral leader. Professor of Violin and Viola at the University of Nevada, Reno and member of the Argenta Trio, she is also the founding Artistic Director of Cactus Pear Music Festival, which she started in 1997 while serving as Concertmaster of the San Antonio Symphony, and served as Artistic Director from 1997 through the 2022 festival season.
Our Board & Past Presidents
— Volunteers Extraordinaire
Without the efforts and energy of our board members throughout the years, Cactus Pear Music Festival would not have achieved the successes, renown and audiences it has garnered for over two decades. We thank all who have served and those who currently guide this musical ship.
BOARD
Jan Holmes
President
Catherine Milbourn, MD
Vice President
Jacqueline Claunch
Secretary
Terry Landez
Treasurer
Anna Armstrong, MD
Martin Keighley
Lisa M. Tatum
Ruby A, Perez
STAFF
Reneé Davis
Executive Director
Jeffrey Sykes
Artistic Director
Stephanie Sant’Ambrogio
Artistic Director Emerita
Bella Albright
Marketing Consultant
Sophie Anderson
Administrative Assistant
J. Refugio Valenzuela Jr. (Cuco)
Bexar County Intern
Craig Sorgi
Young Artist Program Education Director
Karen Stiles
Education Assistant
PAST PRESIDENTS
Richard Gong, MD; 1997-2000
Brigitte Saidi, 2001-2004
Sheila Swartzman, MD; 2005-2011 & 2018
Jeff Glass, MD; 2012-2017
Lisa M. Tatum,
2018-2024
Join Our Board
Are you passionate about classical music, live performance, and music education? Do you want to play a key role in shaping the cultural life of South Texas? Consider joining the Board of Directors for Cactus Pear Music Festival (CPMF) — a dynamic organization dedicated to making world-class chamber music accessible to all.
CPMF Board Members are community-minded individuals who support our mission through leadership, fundraising, event hosting, and hands-on involvement during our summer festival and year-round events. As a board member, you'll help steer the festival’s vision, expand our impact, and ensure the next generation of music lovers and musicians thrive.
Board Members "in action" (left to right): Alberto Serrano, Anna Amstrong, Jacqueline Claunch mingling with the concert crowd.
CACTUS PEAR MUSIC FESTIVAL
Board Members Contribute By
- Providing strategic oversight and financial stewardship
- Actively participating in fundraising and audience development
- Hosting and volunteering at concerts and receptions
- Offering professional skills or in-kind services to support operations
- Making an annual financial gift to demonstrate 100% board participation
Board member highlight
Terri's Full-Circle Journey
Terri Landez’s story is a powerful example of the lifelong impact of Cactus Pear’s Young Artist Program. What began as a tuition-free opportunity for musical growth evolved into a deep, ongoing commitment—first as a student, then an intern, and now a dedicated board member. Her journey shows how CPMF doesn’t just nurture young musicians—it builds lasting community and leadership.
Let's make music matter, together.
If you’re ready to serve an organization that brings the joy of music to thousands each year — and have fun doing it — we’d love to talk with you.
