On Saturday, April 17, 2010 at the Music Center’s Ahmanson Theatre, a Kennedy-Center-Honors-style performance event honoring Arts Education Champions Dr. Edward Kantor, Ginny Mancini, Barry Manilow and Flora L. Thornton was witnessed by over 2,000 guests—parents, alumni, students, along with many of Los Angeles’ philanthropic, business and arts-community elite.

The Celebration marked the last major public appearance by Mrs. Thornton, who passed away on May 7*. A performance event of unparalleled proportions, the evening featured superstar entertainment by Barry Manilow, Natalie Cole, Dave Koz, Monica Mancini, the one-and-only Bob Newhart and opera legend Marilyn Horne. Ms. Horne came out of retirement to sing a special a capella version of “Simple Gifts” as a tribute to her dear friend, Flora Thornton—after which, there wasn’t a dry-eye in the house as the audience rose to their collective feet to express their appreciation to Ms. Horne and Mrs. Thornton with a long standing ovation. Special celebrity presenters Frank Gehry, alumnus Josh Groban and John Williams added more luster to an already amazing line-up of stars and honorees. To make a stellar evening even more unique, special video presentations were made for the honorees by Paul Anka, Deborah Borda, Cher, Placido Domingo, Michael Feinstein, Janet Jackson, Quincy Jones, Don Rickles, Elizabeth Troy, Jerry Weintraub and others. And to bring it all home, the audience and honorees were thoroughly entertained by up-and-coming LACHSA alumni performers Dominic Domingo and Julie Adams and student ensembles featuring an show-stopping opening song-and-dance number, the award-winning LACHSA Jazz Ensemble, Vocal Jazz Ensemble and the Musical Theatre Ensemble in an unforgettable performance of Andrew Lloyd Weber’s “Jellicle Cats.”

The 25th Anniversary Celebration raised nearly $525,000 to support the Foundation in efforts to continue funding LACHSA’s quality arts programs!

For more about this event, please see photos and information about the special honorees and honorary event committee.

*Flora L. Thornton, special friend and major donor of LACHSA’s Full Circle Opera Project and Flora L. Thornton Scholarship in Opera, passed on May 7th, 2010 at the age of 96. The Arts High Foundation is deeply delighted to have honored her for her milestones in arts and philanthropy and for being a true Champion of Arts Education.

25th Anniversary Sponsors

Presenting Sponsors, $100,000+
Anonymous
Arts High Foundation

Major Sponsors, $50,000+
Anonymous

Silver Anniversary Sponsors, $25,000+
Anonymous
Leonetti/O’Connell Family Foundation
The Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors

Event Sponsors, $10,000+
Howard & Roberta Ahmanson
Anonymous (4)
David Bohnett & Tom Gregory
The Walt Disney Company
Sheldon Disrud
The U.S. Estorick Foundation
Walter Lantz Foundation
Jess Ravich
Sony Pictures Entertainment, Inc.

Photo Credit: Wendy Ho

Student performers – under the direction of Dan Castro, Alan Mautner, Pat Bass, Helen Castro and Stephanie Vlahos – included LACHSA’s award-winning instrumental and vocal jazz ensembles, members of the Full Circle Opera Project, and the lovely String Quartet.  A special performance was made by Peabody Conservatory graduate Choo Choo Hu, who played an original piano composition by fellow Peabody and LACHSA alumnus Thomas Kotcheff called Four Vignettes.

The Music Angel Host Committee, consisting of parent and grandparent donors, helped the Foundation provide an elegant buffet for guests who also included Principal George Simpson, Assistant Principal Lisa Sherman-Colt, Alumni Association President Todd Hawkins, and Foundation Board member Sheila Weisman and her husband, Wally.

On November 13th, the Angels series continued with a Celebration of Dance event at the home of Dance Angels Drs. Eileen McGrath and Mark Needham.  Dance students performed original ballet and modern pieces, under the direction of Gina Buntz, Edouard Kouzmitch and Fiona Lummis.  A special presentation was made by Warren Newman, one of the Foundation’s early Board members, who was involved in the school’s inception.  Theatre and Visual Arts receptions are also slated for late spring 2011. Theatre and Visual Arts Angels events will take place during the 2010-2011 Season.

Photo Credit: Wendy Ho

On June 5, 2010, Sheila and Wally Weisman and Lynne and Don Alschuler—in memory of Brian Jay Alschuler—invited their friends and family for a special evening to honor their anniversaries and to celebrate the students performing in CATS.

In 1995, Sheila and Wally Weisman’s generous underwriting of Little Shop of Horrors began musical theatre training at the Los Angeles County High School for the Arts, providing the opportunity for young performers from all arts departments to sing, dance, and act.  For 15 years, the Weismans have supported hundreds of young men and women in the Musical Theatre Ensemble at LACHSA, including now-international superstar Josh Groban, who starred in the Musical Theatre Ensemble’s production of Fiddler on the Roof in 1999.  The following is a listing of all of the Musical Theatre Ensemble productions underwritten by Sheila and Wally:

Little Shop of Horrors, 1995
West Side Story, 1996
A Chorus Line, 1997
Fame: The Musical, 1998
Fiddler on the Roof, 1999
Evita, 2000
Carousel, 2001
Jesus Christ Superstar, 2002
South Pacific, 2003
Grease, 2004
Dreamgirls, 2005
Beauty and the Beast, 2006
Miss Saigon, 2007
Big River, 2008
Les Miserables, 2009

CATS, 2010

Since 2000, Lynne and Don Alschuler have been supporting the Theatre and Musical Theatre students of LACHSA in memory of their son Brian Jay.  The musical CATS has special meaning for the Alschuler family as Brian performed in the Chicago production for over two years and productions in several other cities.  Brian was a professional actor and dancer who performed internationally and on Broadway.  He had a passion for working with young people and giving back to others so that they too could be successful. That is why Don and Lynne are delighted to share Brian’s enthusiasm with LACHSA students.

His charitable foundation – The Josh Groban Foundation – underwrote the production of the musical, and in gratitude, the ensemble cast presented Josh with a signed poster.  The LACHSA students were truly inspired by his career success and his commitment to the school.

The LACHSA Musical Theatre Ensemble presented donor and alumnus Josh Groban with a signed poster in gratitude for his generous support. Photo Credit: Erica Kermani

The Arts High Foundation Guild hosted its first fundraiser—Come to the Cabaret!—with Jerry Leiber in attendance.  The music of Leiber and Stoller provided much of the entertainment.  Their songs were performed by Arts High students, alumna Samantha Sidley and accompanist Jeff Lass.  Alumnus of both LACHSA and Peabody Conservatory Thomas Kotcheff thrilled the guests with new compositions.  He was joined by alumna Hilary Smith and teaching artist Helen Castro.  The most memorable point of the afternoon came when Robert Lee, the 12-year old Program Officer of the California Foundation for Stronger Communities, made a surprise $15,000 gift in honor of Ted Kotcheff.  This event raised $65,000 for the Arts High Foundation.

May 12, 2009 marked the formal founding of the Honorary Trustee Society at the Calfornia Club.  The dinner event was underwritten by Cara Esposito, granddaughter of Caroline Leonetti Ahmanson, LACHSA and Arts High Foundation founder.  In addition to being entertained by LACHSA Music students, guests enjoyed listening to a panel discussion titled “Perspectives on Arts in Turbulent Times,” moderated by Brenda Barnes, President of Classical KUSC and member of the Foundation Board of Directors.  Guests on the panel included then-Acting Chair of the National Endowment for the Arts Patrice Walker Powell; Dr. Robert Cutietta, Dean, USC Thornton School of Music; Dr. George DeGraffenreid, Chair, CSULA Music Department; Jon Gundry, Deputy Superintendent of L.A. County Office of Education; Dr. Chris Waterman, Dean, UCLA Arts and Architecture; and Laura Zucker, Executive Director, Los Angeles County Arts Commission.

The school community was also in attendance to show its support.  Principal George Simpson addressed the dinner party following speeches by Arts High Foundation President Marcia Wilson Hobbs and Executive Director John R. Jackson.  Assistant Principal Lisa Sherman-Colt and Arts Chairs Dr. Dan Castro, Gina Buntz, Lois Hunter, Leslie Karten, and Ron Walsh were also present.  Alongside LACHSA administration were Foundation Board Members Jack Groban, Laurie Kaman, Drew Skelly, Sheila Bergman, and Ollie Blanning to welcome the members of the newly founded Honorary Trustee Society.

See full listing of Honorary Trustee Society >

Photo Credit: Howard Pasamanick

On December 12, 2008, the Guild Holiday Dinner featured performances by instrumentalists, vocalists, and dancers, and visual artists busily sketching portraits of the guests.  The event introduced over 100 people to Arts High and the Foundation.

Guild Leadership Committee Members Margo Leonetti O’Connell and daughter Cara Esposito with LACHSA Visual Artist Dylan Bocanegra (center).