Newsletter 2, S-2007

MAESTRO NEWS
Fostering generations of classical musicians and audiences…
SPRING 2007
Opus I : No. 2
At the April 21st MCMA concert (L to R): Whittney Thomas, Aaron Mendelsohn, Hang Su, Paul Wiancko, Jae-won Bang, Tyler Hokanson,
Arnold Steinhardt, John Stulz, Kathryn Eberle, Peter Myers, Hakeem Holloway & Julia Cser. Photo: G. Silba
MAESTRO CHAMBER MUSIC
ACADEMY (MCMA)
This spring, MCMA participants had the rare
opportunity to rehearse and to perform with two
renowned musicians: Dr. Lucinda Carver,
celebrated conductor and harpsichordist, and
Arnold Steinhardt, distinguished violinist and
chamber music legend.
In March, Dr. Carver led MCMA participants
in an outstanding Baroque program, consisting of
works by Handel, Corelli and Bach. The sound of
twelve string players resonated dramatically in the
intimate setting of Mendelsohn Hall. The
performance of Bach’s 5th
Brandenburg Concerto
featured inspired solos by
violinist Marissa Sorajja
and flutist Johanna
Borenstein and a
breathtaking harpsichord
cadenza by Carver.
Arnold Steinhardt, a
Dr. Lucinda Carver
founding member of the
internationally acclaimed
Guarneri Quartet, joined
MCMA participants in
April. They gave superb
performances of a Mozart
Photos: K. Ballsun
string quintet and a Brahms
string sextet. Together, Steinhardt and participants
achieved a polished technique and exhibited
maturity on a par with the best professional
ensembles.
Hours of intensive study and rehearsal –
interlaced with informal banter and fun – preceded
each concert. Carver and Steinhardt inspired the
MCMA participants and treated each of them as a
professional musician. Participants
enthusiastically praised their shared MCMA
experiences and delighted in their mentoring
encounters.
Violinist Kathryn Eberle rehearsing with mentor Arnold Steinhardt.
Photo: J. Cser
READ INSIDE…
“Lebel” Viola launches Instrument
Sponsorship Campaign…………………….page 3
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Founders’ Gala…………………………...page 2
MAESTRO Chamber Music Series..........page 3
Elemental Strings....................................page 4
Photo: J. Cser
From t he Execut ive
Dir ector…
Photo: G. Silba
The MAESTRO
Foundation has successfully completed its 23rd
season of fostering music
and musicians.
At the 2007 Founder’s Gala (L to R): Paul Wiancko, Kathryn Eberle, Ronald
MAESTRO had a
Leonard and MAESTRO Chairman, Aaron Mendelsohn. Photo: R. Lebel
particularly productive
year, both programmatically and
FOUNDERS’ GALA
organizationally. The generous
sponsorship of the “Lebel” viola by
The 4th Annual MAESTRO Founders’ Gala Concert
Founders Ron and Pat Lebel launched
and Dinner took place on Sunday, April 29th. Each year,
the Instrument Sponsorship Campaign
MAESTRO honors its Founders for the vital support they
(see page 3).
provide for its programs and activities.
The Elemental Strings Program
The Gala opened with an inspiring recital by cellist
flourished with 42 students. The
Ronald Leonard and pianist Bernadene Blaha performing
MCMA continues to attract the
works by Valentini, Rochberg, Tortellier and Brahms.
participation of world-renowned artists.
Aaron Mendelsohn then announced the exciting news about
In addition, MAESTRO chose two
MCMA participants Kathryn Eberle and Paul Wiancko,
MCMA participants to perform in a
both in attendance (see below). Chef Crispin Kitto of
Young Artist Festival in Brazil (see box
Crispin’s Fine Foods and Brian Dembow created a
at right). I am delighted by
distinctive and delicious menu especially for the Founders.
MAESTRO’s progress this year.
With sublime music, food and company, the evening was a
One of MAESTRO’s successes this
splendid celebration of the Founders.
spring was the first ever Retreat for
the Board of Directors. Facilitated by
SPECIAL MCMA
Tom Backer, Ph.D., the Retreat gave
OPPORTUNITY!
Board members the opportunity to
MAESTRO has selected MCMA
focus upon and further MAESTRO’s
participants Kathryn Eberle and Paul
programming, vision and mission. As
Wiancko to represent the US in a
usual, I thoroughly enjoyed
Young Artist Festival in Brazil. In
collaborating with the Directors.
October, they will each have the
The MAESTRO Foundation
opportunity to perform solo concerti
continues to be grateful to all of its
with the Orquestra Sinfonica da
contributors for their support.
Bahia. More in upcoming issues of
MAESTRO is especially thankful for
MAESTRO NEWS…
MCMA Baroque program rehearsal.
the extraordinary generosity of its
Photo: K. Ballsun
Founders.
I hope that you are as delighted as I
am as you read about MAESTRO’s
achievements this year. Stay tuned for
information about our 18th exciting
season. I look forward to seeing you in
the fall.
Julia Cser
Executive & Artistic Director
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MCMA mentor Dr. Lucinda Carver conducting a rehearsal with (L to R): Marissa
Sorajja, Whittney Thomas and Tyler Hokanson. Photo: K. Ballsun
FOUN DER PROFILE:
Ron & Pat Lebel
At the Sponsorship luncheon in May (L to R): Ron and Pat Lebel, Miguel
Hernandez, and Brenda and Mario Miralles. Photo: J. Cser
INSTRUMENT LENDING PROGRAM
MAESTRO recently launched the Instrument
Sponsorship Campaign with the generous help of
MAESTRO Founders Ron and Pat Lebel (see profile).
The Lebels are graciously sponsoring a new MAESTRO
viola commissioned from violinmakers Mario and
Brenda Miralles for instrument recipient Juan-Miguel
Hernandez, (Miguel, pictured above).
In May, Miguel, his viola teacher Paul Coletti, the
Lebels, and the Miralleses attended a luncheon
commemorating the Lebels’ gift. Miguel, who was
unaware of the luncheon’s purpose, listened in stunned
silence as the plans for the viola were revealed. His
immediate reaction was to give Ron and Pat each a big
bear hug.
Miguel has been playing a MAESTRO viola since
2004. He won the Sphinx Competition in 2006, and his
rising solo career now requires a more sophisticated
instrument. He has performed solos with the Seattle,
Rochester, Colorado and Atlanta symphonies. He made
his recording debut in 2005 on the NAXOS label. As a
founding member of the Harlem Quartet, he will tour
throughout the 2007-2008 season, including a Carnegie
Hall performance.
Miguel will be the first recipient of the specially
designed “Lebel” viola. The
Miralleses will collaborate with
him throughout the building
process. Mario has already
begun designing the “Lebel”, a
unique instrument which should
serve gifted young musicians
like Miguel for hundreds of
years (pictured right). Look for
updates in future newsletters.
Mario Miralles designing the
“Lebel” viola. Photo: B. Miralles
Ron and Pat Lebel, (pictured left)
joined the MAESTRO family in 1998. In
2001, they became Founders, and Ron
accepted an invitation to become a
Director. They are enthusiastic supporters
of the arts, especially programs that
nurture up-and-coming artists and expose
disadvantaged youth to the arts. As a
long-time docent at the Los Angeles
County Museum of Art, Pat gives tours
educating and sharing the great LACMA
Collection with school children. She
specializes in grades two through five.
The Lebels believe in providing
youngsters with opportunities to
encounter great art and express
themselves as artists. Their desire to help
young artists has manifested itself in their
numerous contributions to the Ahmanson
Foundation, LACMA, and of course, their
sustained support of the MAESTRO
Foundation. The “Lebel” viola will be a
wonderful legacy to the world of the arts.
CHAMBER MUSIC SERIES
On May 19th, the MAESTRO
Chamber Music Series concluded its 17th
season with a magnificent concert
featuring clarinetist Michele Zukovsky,
violinist Ida Levin, cellist Peter Stumpf
and pianist Kevin Fitzgerald. They gave
outstanding performances of works by
Mozart, Ravel, Poulenc and Beethoven.
2007-2008 SEASON PREVIEW
Don’t miss the upcoming 2007-2008
season of the MAESTRO Chamber
Music Series! Performers will include
pianists Pascal Rogé, Hans Boepple, and
Rina Dokshitsky, the Schubert
Ensemble, and the American and Talich
Quartets, among others. In August,
MAESTRO supporters will receive the
exciting forthcoming concert schedule.
3
ELEMENTAL STRINGS
Photo: K. Ballsun
Violinist Chloe Cohen
“This is the best Elemental
Strings Orchestra yet!” says
Peter Park, Elemental Strings
Director. Under his direction the
group of 42 string players has
received much acclaim this year
for its performances in tandem
with the Lincoln Middle School
Orchestras. Look for a review of
the June 16th Elemental Strings
chamber concert, BBQ and pool
party in the next issue of
MAESTRO NEWS!
The MAESTRO
Foundation is
grateful for the
contributions of its
Patrons and
Founders in the
2006-2007 season.
Your donations fuel
each of the programs
represented in this
newsletter. The fruits
of your generosity
are evident, and we
thank you deeply for
your continuing
support.
Fou nd er s
over $10,00 0
Yaeko & Joachim Bolck
Fern & Marvin Jubas
Patricia & Ronald Lebel
Sarah Jane Lind
Claude & Alfred E. Mann
Aaron Mendelsohn
fou nd er s
$5,000
Josh Aronson & Maria Bachmann
Janice & Michael Barone
Cora & Roland Casati
Daniel Clivner & Steven Cochran
Jeanne & Richard Davenport
Judi & Paul H. Lippe
Sylvie Ollivier
Lauren & James Ramenofsky
Yossi Sidikaro, M.D., Ph.D.
Steven A. Teitelbaum, M.D.
Barbara & Sam B. Williams
PATR O NS
$1,00 0-$2,0 00
Marcia Adelstein
Edith Arlen
Thomas E. Backer, Ph.D.
Jackie & Howard Banchik
Evelyne & Gunnar M. Bjorg
Rogers Brubaker
Clifford L. Caplan
Maureen & John Convery
The Davidow Charitable Fund
Peter W. Doerken
Richard Dolen, Ph.D.
Roberta & Carl Deutsch
Sylvia & Mose J. Firestone, Ph.D.
Sharon & Dr. Martin Fischer
Carol & Martin Fox
Sherry & David Gold
Eva M. & Leo A. Goldberg
Sheila & Michael Goldberg
*Special thanks to Kathryn Ballsun for editing assistance.
THE MAESTRO FOUNDATION
 : 224 15 th Str eet
Santa Mon ica, CA 90 402
: (310)393 -2657 Fa x: (31 0)393- 6484
Board of Directors
Aaron Mendelsohn, Chairman
Robert Cutietta
Marvin Jubas
Ronald Lebel
Executive & Artistic Director
Julia Cser
Director of Operations
Glen Silba
Read inside about the 2006-2007 s eason’s success es …
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Marcy & Edgar F. Gross
Paul Guido
Betty & Marvin Hoffenberg
Susann Rohwedder
& Michael Hurd
Randi & Richard B. Jones
Judith & Bernard Kassover
Linda & Michael I. Keston
Bernard J. Korn, M.D.
Cheryl & Howard R. Krauss, M.D.
Myron Laskin
Mrs. Harry Lenart
Frances J. Richmond, Ph.D.
& Gerald E. Loeb, M.D.
Catherine A. & Brian M. Mann
Linda Mann
Frank Mori, M.D.
Jay A. Nakamura
Gail & David Nochimson
Julie M. Philips
Hans K. Rahn
Leo L. Rossman
Prof. Judy & Dr. William Sloan
Samuel & Helene Soref Foundation
Jill & Donald R. Spuehler
Marie & Peter Staudhammer
Terri & Charles Stern
Cathy & Howard L. Stone
Rhoda Lurie & Richard Sullivan
Sweet & Hot Foundation
Ronald Norman Temkin
James N. Turner
& Sandra E. Sensing
Jane C. Turner
Benjamin Zucker