Who We Are

The Dakota Valley Symphony was formed in 1986 as the Dakota Valley Civic Orchestral Association, a volunteer nonprofit community arts organization based in Dakota County. The organization was created to provide an opportunity for musicians to perform and to provide quality musical experiences primarily for residents of the south suburban twin cities’ area, including Apple Valley, Burnsville, Eagan, Hastings, Lakeville, Prior Lake, and Shakopee.

Under the musical direction of founder Stephen J. Ramsey, the symphony and chorus are comprised of more than one hundred members who perform concerts at Ames Center in Burnsville and at outdoor venues during the summer. The repertoire of a typical season includes classical orchestral music, concerti, oratorio, Hollywood and Broadway themes, and premiere works.