BELLINGHAM, WA (MyBellinghamNow.com) – For 50 years, the Bellingham Symphony Orchestra (BSO) has provided the Bellingham community with locally curated music and offered opportunities for local musicians to perform.

As Executive Director Gail Ridenour and her team gear up for a year of shows like none other, My Bellingham Now was able to learn a bit more about her and the pathway music has given her.

Growing up in the Okanogan area, Ridenour began her musical journey at the age of four. Starting with piano lessons and soon finding her passion for the oboe, she found that sharing music was a fun way to spend time with family and friends.

Ridenour has spent part of her career as an educator, bringing music to elementary schools in eastern Washington as well as here in Bellingham.

“That was such an amazing thing, helping to bring the joy of music to the next generation and sharing what music can mean,” Ridenour said. “How it can speak to you, how it can make you feel, how it communicates to tell stories.”

When Ridenour moved to Bellingham 10 years ago, she wanted to be involved in the music community. What first started as playing the oboe in the orchestra expanded into the opportunity for her to join the leadership team for the BSO.

“So, after I’d been playing with the orchestra for about a year, the executive director position opened up and I was kind of thinking about a change in life,” Ridenour said. “So, I applied for the position and after quite the interview process, I got the job and just absolutely love it.”

2026 marks 50 years for the BSO, and Ridenour wanted to do something big to celebrate the milestone.

The BSO went back and forth on who they wanted to bring to Bellingham to perform at the Mount Baker Theatre, bringing up the biggest names in the classical music world. But after a while, Ridenour knew that the perfect person was Yo-Yo Ma.

Of course, the show sold out and the BSO could not be more pleased.

Ridenour shared how 95% of the musicians who play in the BSO are from Whatcom County. These local musicians, some of whom have studied music at high levels, bring this elevated style of music and professionalism each year. In the same way, Ridenour was also proud that there are a few high school students who passed the blind audition process to join the BSO.

“There’s a place for everyone, whether you’re on the stage or in the audience,” Ridenour shared. I think one of the things that’s really special is that we all love music. We all love getting together every week and playing together every week.”

Ridenour and the team with the BSO have already announced the plans for the 51st season, with special partnerships with the Shoestring Circus, Opus Performing Arts and others.

For more information about the Bellingham Symphony Orchestra, head to their website at bellinghamsymphony.org.

We are Whatcom is a weekly column featuring Whatcom County residents making a positive impact on the community. To submit a Whatcom County resident to be featured, click here.