For nearly two decades, Persimmon Ridge neighbor Susan Von Hoven has played a quiet but meaningful role in preserving something that shapes the heart of our city: its music.

She began volunteering with the Louisville Orchestra in 2007, stepping in at a time when the organization’s future was uncertain. Financial strain and labor challenges had put the Orchestra at risk, leaving many to wonder what might happen to a cultural institution that had been part of Louisville’s identity since 1937, following the Great Flood.

For Susan, however, the answer was never to step back, it was to lean in.

Music had always been central to her life. A lifelong flutist and pianist, she once planned to pursue it professionally before choosing a different path, earning her MBA and spending 43 years with Brown-Forman. Still, her connection to music never faded. When the opportunity arose to give back, the Louisville Orchestra felt like the perfect fit, blending her professional experience with a lifelong passion.

What followed was a transformation few could have predicted.

Through the determination of its musicians, staff, and board, and under the leadership of Music Director Teddy Abrams, the Orchestra didn’t just recover, it reimagined what it could be. That journey reached a defining moment in 2024 with a Grammy Award, a milestone that felt especially meaningful for those, like Susan, who had supported it through its most uncertain chapter.

Along the way, there have been unforgettable moments. A breathtaking performance inside Mammoth Cave featuring Yo Yo Ma. The In Harmony Tour bringing symphonic music to small Kentucky towns. And the Creative Core initiative, placing composers at the center of the Orchestra’s evolution.

Yet for Susan, the most meaningful impact is often found in quieter moments.

Programs like Making Music introduce students to the arts, while free performances across the state ensure music remains accessible to all. She volunteers 10 to 12 hours each month, driven by a belief that music creates connection, sparks possibility, and offers hope.

At home, her husband Mike, daughter Jill, and son-in-law Griffin occasionally attend concerts with her, making those moments together all the more special. WOOFord, their chocolate lab, and grand pup Louie bring their own joyful harmony to everyday life.

When asked what she would tell someone new to Persimmon Ridge, Susan describes it as serene, close to nature, and full of people who genuinely care.

And thanks to neighbors like her, the music of our city continues to rise.