Elliott Lentz
Artistic Director & Conductor
conductor@circlecityorchestra.org
As a versatile conductor in both the orchestral and wind band worlds, Indianapolis resident Elliott Lentz is a dynamic musician and strong advocate for arts education. Currently serving as Artistic Director & Conductor for the Circle City Orchestra (Indianapolis, IN) and Director of Orchestras at North Central High School (Indianapolis, IN), he is also the Head Clinician for the Smith Walbridge Student Conducting Clinic (Charleston, IL).
Ensembles under his leadership have earned numerous accolades and “With Distinction” Honors while appearing at multiple Indiana State School Music Association Concert Orchestra State Finals. Additional experiences include serving as guest conductor for the Indiana Bandmasters Association All-District & All-Region Honor Bands, clinician & performer at the Indiana Music Educators Association State Conference, and Artistic Staff for the Indianapolis Chamber Orchestra. In February of 2024 Lentz guest conducted the Columbus Symphony Orchestra (Columbus, IN) as a Music Director finalist. Additional collaborations have included performances with Ballet INitiative, Circle City Chamber Choir, and the Sound Ecologies Chamber Orchestra.
Elliott completed his Bachelor of Science in Music Education from Ball State University where he studied Trumpet with the late Professor Paul Everett and Conducting with Dr. Thomas Caneva. Additional educational experiences have included the Conductors Retreat at Medomak and conducting symposiums at UMKC, University of Colorado at Boulder, University of Illinois, and University of Indianapolis.
Outside of the rehearsal hall, he loves spending time with his wife, Amy, and their rescue Bernese Mountain Dog, Augie.
Kiki Porter
Assistant Conductor
Kiki Porter is a graduate of Butler University with a Master’s degree in Choral Conducting and Oberlin Conservatory with a Bachelor of Music in Vocal Performance. While at Butler, Kiki was a recipient of the Indianapolis Symphonic Choir Fellowship. Kiki was introduced to musicianship early in life as a member of the Metropolitan Opera Children’s Chorus, where she sang in more than 250 performances in 16 different operas over seven years. At Butler University, Kiki had the opportunity to conduct and work with their Wind Ensemble and Composer’s Orchestra on numerous occasions. When working with the Indianapolis Symphonic Choir, Kiki had the privilege of conducting the choir in performance several times as well as conducting the Indianapolis Chamber Orchestra for a Christmas concert. Kiki is currently the Director of Worship Arts at Zionsville United Methodist Church and is very excited to continue her work with the Circle City Orchestra.
Ross Venneberg
Assistant Conductor
Ross Venneberg currently serves as an Assistant Conductor for the Circle City Orchestra. An Indianapolis-based conductor, trumpeter, and music educator, he is also the Artistic Director and Conductor of the Shelby Community Band, Principal Trumpet of the Columbus Indiana Philharmonic, Second Trumpet of the Terre Haute Symphony, and a member of the Indiana State University Faculty Brass Quintet. Prior to these appointments, he served as the Director of Instrumental Activities and Visiting Assistant Professor of Music at Franklin College for three years, where he directed the Wind Ensemble and Athletic Band, taught a variety of music courses, and oversaw all facets of the instrumental music program. Ross frequently performs with ensembles such as the Indianapolis Symphony, Carmel Symphony, Anderson Symphony, and records for commercial music projects and music publishing companies such as Alfred Music, Carl Fischer Music, and Randall Standridge Music. He is an adjudicator for the Indiana State Music School Association and has been a guest at colleges, universities, and conservatories throughout the United States and China for master classes, lectures, and recitals. During the summers, he has performed at the Aspen Music Festival, Miami Music Festival, Spoleto Festival U.S.A., and throughout Europe and Asia in concert halls such as the Musikverein in Vienna, the Concertgebouw in Amsterdam, and the Berlin Philharmonie. He made his international conducting debut leading the University of Washington Chamber Winds on tour in China. A native of Sitka, Alaska, Ross earned a Bachelor of Arts degree from Saint Mary’s College of California, Master of Music degrees from Manhattan School of Music and the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, and a Doctor of Musical Arts degree from the University of Washington.