Big moves for Pamela and Matt Wardell

Pamela Calero Wardell and Matthew Wardell. [File photo by MAVEN Photo + Film]

Ocala’s power couple, Pamela Calero Wardell and Matthew Wardell, are on the move again.

Pamela has been named the Senior Director of Development for the National Symphony Orchestra in Washington, D.C. and starts her new job on Aug. 4. Matt just extended his contract as director and conductor of the Ocala Symphony Orchestra for five years, extending his artistic leadership of the organization through the 2029–2030 season.

The “Gazette” spoke to the couple early Friday and Pamela said they had just arrived in Washington and were checking out their new apartment. They will continue to maintain their residence in downtown Ocala as well.

Pamela was executive director of the Reilly Arts Center in Ocala for a number of years before she became the senior director of development for the Jacksonville Symphony Orchestra in February of 2024. Matt served as the Reilly’s CEO and artistic director for its first nine years and continues to serve as artistic advisor to the board of directors and staff. The duo played a key role in the renovation and expansion of the art center and the OSO’s assuming management of the historic Marion Theatre in 2020.

“I didn’t plan on leaving Jax so soon but it’s a really great opportunity and the National Symphony is one of the top orchestras in the country, so I’m excited to do some good work,” she said. “This is my first time living outside of Florida and it’s something I’ve always wanted to do and I’m just excited for the opportunity.”

The NSO is a resident organization of The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts. The NSO participates in events of national and international importance, some of the world’s most renowned talent appearing as guest artists, the website notes.

“My job will be in charge of the fundraising team specifically for the National Symphony. I’ll be raising funds, working on campaigns, raising money for programming, and operations. They are working on building their team and in five years they are celebrating their 100-year anniversary, so there is a lot that is being put in place for that, which should be fun,” Pamela explained.

“As for the audiences, I was telling Matt there will be royalty from other countries, a lot of A listers and of course the Kennedy Center Honors, which I’m sure I’ll be supporting in some way. And the artists who are coming, they are the best of the best, and I’m just excited to be around that,” she added.

Her ascension into the upper ranks of orchestra industry leadership took a lot of effort and training along the way.

“Two years ago, I was a part of the Anne Parsons Leadership Program and that program’s goal was to really support females in top leadership roles in the orchestra industry. For a long time, not only artistically but also administratively, you didn’t see a lot of top leadership and CEOs who were females in some of the bigger orchestras. And then during that same time, I went to New York and did the Juilliard program, Essentials of Orchestra Management, and through both of those, I learned more about my focus and what I want to do. So, this is a natural progression, going into a leadership position in what they call a tier one orchestra. It’s really like musical chairs. There are only so many positions, for both admin and artistic, and when an opening comes, you’ve got to go for it,” she noted.

Matt said the transition will be good for his career progression as well.

“The move up here will help my work in Ocala so much because here, I get to see other orchestras, other soloists, meet other conductors, more so than I would have or could have when I was in Jacksonville or Ocala. We were always traveling to go see stuff, so when Pam asked what I thought, I was like, ‘Yeah, yeah, let’s go.’ I always want to support her. She is amazing. She’s a rock star. But I also knew that it would be good for me to have exposure to all these arts up here and bring that home,” he said.

Matt noted that in “the conducting industry, it’s pretty normal to live in different places, so for me it doesn’t’ change that much. I lived in Jacksonville the last year; the year before that I was in Massachusetts teaching. I’ve got all my flights for the next six or seven months done and it turns out I’m going to spend between 10 and 15 days a month in Ocala and from September/October and into May, I’ll be there about 20 days and I’m still doing a little bit with the Jacksonville Symphony. We still have our place in Ocala, so it’s easy for us to come in and out.”

He said that even after 16 years with the OSO, they are always trying new things.

“I’m lucky we have a board and staff that supports that, and our audience always seems to be eager for new things, so I’m looking forward to the next five years and especially this next year, which is our 50^th anniversary. So, we’ve got some really fun stuff planned. I’m really lucky to still be there,” he said.

Another initiative that Matt helped get off the ground is the OSO’s Community Music Conservatory, which offers instruction to students of all ages and skill levels.

“It’s going great. They have more than 150 students on and off. When we opened the conservatory, we wanted to provide really solid and dependable lessons for kids who want to study an instrument and we’re knocking it out of the park. We’ve got great faculty and teaching great lessons. I’m really proud that a lot of our students, I think it’s over 50 percent, are on scholarships. We never want someone to not be able to take classes because they can’t afford it. We have great donors and sponsors. It’s great to see the school continue to develop. And that’s another thing; it’s not a set it and forget it kind of thing. One thing about Ocala that I love is that we are never just resting; times change, people change, so we’re always moving,” Matt offered.

Angie Lewis, chair of the OSO board, said in the news release announcing Matt’s contract renewal, that “Matt brings a rare combination of talent, vision and pure joy to the Ocala Symphony Orchestra. His energy is contagious, and we are thrilled to continue this incredible journey with him for another five years.”

The maestro is a bit famous for his fancy footwear when he takes the stage at the Reilly and audience members are always eager to see what’s new in that realm. As for checking out his new city, he noted with a laugh, “We are actually a little too close to some really nice shoe stores and Pam’s already told me to take a pause on the shoes.”

Pamela said she is eager to explore Washington’s museums and to build a list of go-to restaurants.

“In D.C., it’s so multi-cultural and you have so many different types of foods and cuisines and I’m excited to get that list together. And we both love the National Portrait Gallery, the Smithsonian, and we want to go to the Jefferson Memorial, which is beautiful at sunset, and I am so looking forward to the change in seasons,” she shared.

And then there is Buckley, the couple’s canine companion, who was frequently spotted out and about around downtown Ocala.

“He is happy wherever he goes. He’s sniffing everything out,” Pamela said on Friday as she watched Buckley check out the new apartment. “There are a lot of little parks around; it’s really dog friendly. He’s going to have to adjust to being a city dog now.”

To learn more about the National Symphony Orchestra, go to kennedy-center.org/nso/home; for information about the Ocala Symphony Orchestra, visit ocalasymphony.com

Pamela Calero Wardell and Matt Wardell with Buckley. [Submitted photo]