SUMMER 2012 NEWSLETTER

K-12 ARTS EDUCATION SINCE 1969

Upper: Bajofondo, Vijay Iyer, Circus Oz, California Trio Lower: Axis Dance Company, Yemen , Back to Back Theatre, CONTRA -TIEMPO

AN EXCITING NEW SEASON

We’re gearing up for an exciting season here Theater returns this year with Australia’s Back is sure to be extraordinary. We’ll draw from at Design for Sharing! Our Demonstration to Back Theatre. Founded in 1987, Back to artists closer to home when California Guitar Performance series will feature artists from Back creates new forms of contemporary theatre Trio performs on May 6. Formed more than 20 around the world and some of our local favorites. imagined from the minds and experiences of years ago, the trio is known for their technical a unique ensemble of actors with disabilities, virtuosity and their wide range of influences The season begins October 11, with AXIS Dance giving voice to social and political issues that and styles. Finally, we’ll tap into the incredible Company. AXIS creates “physically integrated speak to all people. talent on the UCLA campus with a performance dance”— a contemporary dance form that evolves by UCLA Philharmonia—the University’s from the collaboration between dancers with We can’t wait to introduce students to our 75-peice flagship student orchestra. and without disabilities. AXIS comes to DFS impressive line-up of international musicians. as part of UCLA’s Disability Awareness Week, The collective of composers, singers and For more details about these and other Design a campus-wide initiative. There’s more dance musicians known as Bajofondo will bring their for Sharing programs—including our My Special in store when L.A.’s own CONTRA-TIEMPO vibrant blend of acoustic tango and electronic World/Performance Workshop activities—be returns to Royce Hall November 8 with their music from Argentina and Uruguay to Royce sure to visit our website at cap.ucla.edu/dfs unique and inspiring fusion of salsa, Afro- Hall on October 12, followed October 15 and check out the full calendar of inspiring Cuban, and hip-hop styles. In February, the by acclaimed pianist and composer performances on tap for 2012/13. Remember, as wildly popular Circus Oz returns to Vijay Iyer. The Israeli-American ensemble a supporter of Design for Sharing, you’re always for the first time since the 1984 Olympic Opening Yemen Blues combines traditional Yemenite welcome to see your contribution in action. Ceremonies. This animal-free, rock’n’roll circus melodies with classic blues, jazz and funk We hope you’ll join us for any one of these is a spectacle of unrelenting energy, humor, sounds. From Bedouin rhythms to New Orleans great events. surreal imagery, grace and strength – and set to brass, their DFS appearance on November 16 a live and original musical score! AN ENTHUSIASTIC HELLO

I am very pleased and excited to be the new Board President of Design for Sharing. As part of the Center for the Art of Performance at UCLA, DFS will continue to provide arts education activities that provoke curiosity, inspire wonder, and facilitate connections. The mission of Design for Sharing: to provide access to the performing arts at UCLA through free performances and hands-on programs is fully embraced into the mission of CAP UCLA. Together we will continue a longstanding tradition of delivering great art to the students of Los Angeles.

I would like to thank my dear friend Joan Lesser who preceded me as Board President for the last four years. Working together with the board and our generous members and donors, we have supported a variety of successful arts education programs, both on campus and in the schools. It has been very rewarding to work A FOND FAREWELL with Executive and Artistic Director Kristy Edmunds on the transition from UCLA Live to CAP UCLA. In addition to her skill and knowledge, Kristy brings enormous I find it bittersweet that, after four years as DFS President, this energy, enthusiasm and good humor to everything she does. is my last letter. We’ve seen so many changes over the last four I often find the benefits from one’s efforts and contributions to be vague and years. Some have been very painful – the loss of our visionary intangible, but with DFS, from the moment the excited students leave the buses, co-founder, Mimi Perloff, and other long-time Board members to their joyous reaction at Demonstration Performances or My Special World and supporters; and severe budget cuts to education generally workshops at Royce Hall, the gratification is great and immediate. and arts programs in particular. These cuts have resulted in the loss of a transportation grant from LAUSD to help provide Please join us at one or more of our upcoming performances and workshops. You buses, and the elimination of field trip budgets for most schools. will undoubtedly see the impact we make, and I hope you will support us by joining or renewing your membership, and contributing to our Buy-A-Bus fund. Other changes have been energizing, as we have discovered new and creative ways to expand our programs. We found grants to fund in-school residencies, which provide in-depth arts education and which we hope will serve as a model for Stephanie Snyder other non-profits to educate public school students in the arts. President One of my fondest memories is of the students from the UCLA Community School performing with members of CONTRA- TIEMPO dance company at our 40th Anniversary celebration. The Board formed the Mimi Perloff Memorial Bus Fund, which has been successful through our “Buy a Bus” campaign in providing funds to pay for buses to bring students to UCLA to attend our programs.

We’ve had so many memorable events and performances – board member Suzanna Guzman introducing our youngest audiences to the joy of opera; John Zeretzke and Dr. Craig UCLA LIVE IS NOW Woodson teaching students how to make instruments out of everyday materials; and the passion of Dan Zanes, Los CAP UCLA! Cenzontles, Lula Washington, the Symphonic Jazz Orchestra – and many, many others. These artists have introduced young After months of receiving feedback from our donors, members, and colleagues, people to the rich experience of the performing arts. UCLA Live has evolved to become Center for the Art of Performance at UCLA.

I appreciate the critical support provided by our Board, which While the visual identity and name of UCLA Live has changed, the 42-year mission has enabled DFS to survive and thrive during these very of Design for Sharing remains fully integrated into the mission and purpose of CAP challenging times. I remain optimistic about our future. With UCLA. As a past supporter of Design for Sharing, you have activated the performing the energy and passion of our new President – my dear friend arts for thousands of K-12 students. If you are a DFS member, we hope you will Stephanie Snyder, together with the creativity and vision renew your membership as we look towards a new and exciting season. In the past, of CAP UCLA director Kristy Edmunds, our programs will UCLA Live had two separate membership programs, but as we move forward, continue to provide opportunities for L.A.’s students to learn all DFS members will now be CAP UCLA members. As always, your contribution about the arts. will directly support the activities of Design for Sharing, and the Center will honor your donation with a CAP UCLA Membership.

Joan Lesser Member levels are on the remit form in this newsletter and you can see benefit details at www.cap.ucla.edu/support. A CAP UCLA membership connects you to artists, arts leaders and community members who are engaged in promoting the importance of a creative and enriched learning environment for the students of Los Angeles. Pease take a moment to renew your support for Design for Sharing, and on behalf of the 16,000 students and teachers we serve each year – thanks for all you do! THOUGHTS FROM OUR MEMBERS

IN-CLASS INSPIRATION WHAT IS LEARNED

UCLA Community School, housed on the site of the legendary Ambassador Hotel in Do you remember the first time you were awed by a live L.A.’s Koreatown, is a very impressive sight to see. Behind its tall, brightly colored performance? I do. It was at the Academy of Music in street-side fence, a new and creative way of educating public school students is in Philadelphia, where I grew up, at a performance of the full swing. When I first saw it, I was energized not only by the teachers but also by Moiseyev Dance Company from Russia. I was six years old the young students themselves. But despite its impressive building and forward- and I believed the dancers could fly. I decided, right there, thinking educators, the school has been slammed by massive LAUSD budget cuts that no matter what it took, I wanted to learn to fly too. which include zero funds for arts education programs. Zero. Ultimately, I became a professional dancer, now retired, Three years ago, Design for Sharing stepped up to fill this educational void, and and sometimes, during those years, when the music flowed under the expertise of Education Director, Meryl Friedman, developed a unique, through my body and the movements came as effortlessly as weekly, in-school arts program for 200 students in grades 4, 5 and 6. It is the only breathing, I did fly. What I learned as a young child, high sustained arts education these students have received and I’m proud to say DFS up in my balcony seat in the darkened theater, was what embraced, nurtured, and grew it into a meaningful part of their curriculum. was possible.

How is this program’s success measured? I don’t have a stack of research by This is what Design for Sharing teaches the thousands of professional educators, I don’t have written feedback from parents of budding kids we reach out to. During my years as a DFS member, I’ve artists, and I don’t have huge press coverage from the media to set before you as seen the pleasure kids have when they learn that something examples. Rather I have my own eyes and ears, and have seen firsthand how much extraordinary is possible: that they can be transported by the students have learned and grown over the course of the three years DFS teaching great music, theater or dance; that they can make and play a artists have worked with them. musical instrument, sing a few notes of opera, or dance some steps of flamenco; that in a University, students can major in I have seen students who did not speak a single word of English in the first year of an art form; and that creative thinking matters. They see the our program perform poetry three years later, that they wrote themselves before standard of excellence and realize that there is a world outside a standing room only audience. Heartfelt poetry spoken loud and clear in perfect their neighborhood that will inspire and embrace them. English. I have seen beautiful and creative art projects by students that helped them identify who they are as individuals, the kind of person they want to be, and how When I attend a DFS event with the students, I feel like a they want to contribute to society as they grow into adulthood. I have seen students kid myself and remember what it was like to be a first timer in the program’s first year who could barely look at one another while learning to again. It is so much fun to feel the energy in the theater, to dance, grow into confident 5th and 6th graders that not only dance but perform see an audience of squirming kids stilled and enraptured with flare and confidence to culturally diverse music in the famed Cocoanut Grove by a brilliant performing artist and to be astounded. As a Theatre. And I have seen their parents, dressed in their Sunday best, silently weep youngster, I learned what’s possible not just to do, but what I with pride over their child’s huge accomplishments. could feel and be inspired by; it is a great pleasure to me, as a member of DFS, to now be a part of making all that possible The DFS arts education program at the Community School was a giant step for so many kids in Los Angeles. forward in our mission to “bring the arts to those who might not otherwise have the opportunity”, and I have no doubt that DFS, and it’s many supporters, can be very Barbara Dobkin, Board Member proud of the positive and lasting impact our arts education program has made on these students.

Pattikay Gottlieb, Board Member

CHECK OUT the new student literary magazine from this year’s Community School arts residency at: cap.ucla.edu/csmag WHAT IS LEARNED OVER 16,000 STUDENTS A YEAR come to UCLA for DFS events. Each dot on the map represents one of the many schools from across Los Angeles who participate in our programs! For a 2012/13 schedule of events, go to: www.cap.ucla.edu/dfs

DESIGN FOR SHARING WELCOMES OUR NEWEST BOARD MEMBER: MURIEL FINE SHERMAN

Muriel’s professional life began in the Philadelphia Unified School We asked Muriel a few questions about what brought her to DFS: District, where she helped develop a new U.S. History program for What is your earliest memory of experiencing the performing arts? high school, and taught accelerated Reading and Social Studies in 5th and 6th grades. My earliest memory is as a seven year old going to the children’s concerts at the Philadelphia Orchestra with my two cousins, we did this for many Muriel and her husband Neil moved to Los Angeles In 1970 and settled years and it was my introduction to . At about the same in Los Feliz. She received a research grant from USC/Children’s time, I saw my first Broadway show, South Pacific with Mary Martin and Hospital Los Angeles, where she coordinated an educational Enzio Pinza, and I fell in love! program for children on dialysis, and studied doctor-patient-parent communication in the treatment of infants and toddlers. After a What drew you to Design for Sharing? decade in education, Muriel embarked on a new career, beginning at Stephanie Snyder, our new president! She knows of my love for music Sak’s 5th Avenue. She planned fashion shows for fundraising events and the performing arts and my background in education and the need and community programs in her role as the principal community for it in underserved communities and thought Design for Sharing was relations/fashion coordinator. Later, she opened a high-end boutique a perfect fit. in West Hollywood, followed by a women’s clothing store featuring popular-priced options for working women. For the next 15 years, her What are you most looking forward to with DFS? company Fashion Services, offered merchandising and consulting Involvement with the schools, and hopefully there will be some hands-on services for clothing, accessories, and gifts to a private clientele. things I can do which will make the experience more meaningful.

Muriel has a long history in non-profit service. Over the last 30 years, What’s on your iPod? she has served on the Boards of the Women’s Political Committee, I don’t have an iPod, but I do have an mp3 player and I listen to books, the L.A. Free Clinic in Hollywood, and the Community Relations however, in our home there is either classical music or opera playing Committee of the LA Philharmonic’s educational programs. For most of the time. the last 7 years, she has been on the Board of Friends of the Semel Institute for Neuroscience and Human Behavior at UCLA. Above: Muriel shows off her spoon instrument from a My Special World workshop DESIGN FOR SHARING: YOU MAKE IT POSSIBLE

DFS programs both on campus and in the schools are made possible by individuals who care passionately about making the arts an integral part of children’s lives. Your contribution supports:

• Age-appropriate performances and activities with professional artists

• Special art-making workshops and school residencies

• Subsidized bus transport for students to attend performing arts events at UCLA

• College-readiness materials and campus tours for students in grades 6-12

YOUR SUPPORT MATTERS

Arts programs in the Los Angeles Unified School District continue to be adversely affected by severe and continuing budget cuts. Your gift to Design for Sharing is a gift of the performing arts to our community’s children – helping DFS to provide arts education and special programs for thousands of students. Working together we can ensure that the performing arts remain an important part of our children’s education. Thanks for being a part of the DFS family – we couldn’t do it without you!

Join now using this form, or visit cap.ucla.edu/support 2012-13 MEMBERSHIP LEVELS Yes, I’d like to join CAP UCLA and BUY-A-BUS designate my support to Design for Sharing! Please consider making an additional donation

$100 ($70 tax deductible) $1,250 ($974 tax deductible) to the Perloff Memorial Bus Fund $300 ($240 tax deductible) $2,500 ($2,188 tax deductible) $500 ($368 tax deductible) $5,000 ($4,688 is tax deductible) Yes, I’d like to Buy-A-Bus: $1,000 ($676 tax deductible) $10,000 ($9,688 is tax deductible) $300 (Transport for up to 75 students) $150 (Transport for one class) For more information on membership levels and benefits, visit cap.ucla.edu/support Other Buy-A-Bus Contributions are fully tax-deductible I would like to decline benefits and make my gift fully tax deductible

My donation is a gift membership or tribute gift NAME: Please send notification to: ADDRESS: NAME: CITY, STATE, ZIP: ADDRESS: Phone ( ) Email: Enclosed is my check payable to THE UCLA FOUNDATION Home Work in the amount of $ Please mail to Please charge $ to my credit card (circle one): American Express MasterCard VISA Discover Design for Sharing THANK YOU FOR YOUR GENEROSITY! B100 Royce Hall, Box 951529 For questions, call DFS at Name on Card (please print) Los Angeles, CA 90095-1529 310-825-7681 Card No. Expir. cap.ucla.edu/dfs BOARD OF DIRECTORS OUR GRATEFUL APPRECIATION TO THANKS TO ALL THOSE WHO THE MAJOR DONORS WHO MADE CONTRIBUTED TO THE PERLOFF FOUNDER OUR 11/12 SEASON POSSIBLE MEMORIAL BUS FUND IN THE MRS. HERBERT WITHERSPOON * 11/12 SCHOOL YEAR CIRCLE OF MUSES Anonymous CO-FOUNDER Another Planet Entertainment Phyllis & David Adelman MIMI PERLOFF * Leonard Apt, MD Sylvia & Joe Balbona * in memoriam Bank of America Dori Bardavid James A. Doolittle Foundation Ron Blanc PRESIDENT The Dream Fund The Board of Directors of Design for Sharing STEPHANIE SNYDER Dr. Audree Fowler Tyler & Dorli Burge Mr. Sherman Grancell David & Marlene Capell ‡ The Ring Foundation PHYLLIS JOHNSON ADELMAN Marjore Chronister The Schrillo Family Foundation LEONARD APT, M.D. Judy & Joel Citron Mr. & Mrs. Werner Wolfen SYLVIA BALBONA Susan Coddington MARK CARLSON PRESIDENT’S FORUM Ann & Lee Cooper MARJORE CHRONISTER ‡ Del Rey Lighting Mrs. Helen Bing BARBARA DOBKIN ‡ Mary DeVall The Samuel Goldwyn Foundation Barbara & Bruce Dobkin AUDRÉE FOWLER Mrs. Goldyne Hearsh Sylvia El Bayar PATTIKAY GOTTLIEB HSBC Bank ‡ Feintech Family Foundation CAROL GREINES Joan Lesser & Ronald Johnston Steven & Billie Fischer SHERMAN GRANCELL Diane Levine & Bob Wass Dr. Audree Fowler SUZANNA GUZMÁN Shirley & Ralph Shapiro Stanley Gendler LOIS HAYTIN Anita & Julius L. Zelman Foundation SANDRA KANENGISER Roberta Gillerman BOB KAY STERLING BENEFACTORS Ann Goldberg Pattikay & Meyer Gottlieb JOANNE V.C. KNOPOFF ‡ Mrs. David L. Abell Sherman Grancell MARTHA KOPLIN Del Rey Lighting Elizabeth Gray & Randall Gordon JOAN LESSER ‡ The Feintech Family Foundation Lois Haytin DIANE LEVINE Jan & Steve Winston Mrs. Vera Howard LEONA MATTONI ‡ DISTINGUISHED BENEFACTORS David & Kathleen Jackson NANCY NEAL Sandy Kanengiser ‡ Anonymous THEODORA CARRAS PRIMES Bob Kay ‡ Sylvia & Joe Balbona DAVID S. RODES Letha Kemper Margaret M. Bloomfield MURIEL FINE SHERMAN Doreen Klee Mrs. Terri Bloomgarden LAURIE RASKIN SHUMAN Sandra Klein & Don McCallum Rosanna Hirshon Bogart BONNIE TAUB Madi Kleiner & Harley Williams Eli J. Borok Joanne Knopoff MIMI WOLFEN Judy & Joel Citron ‡ Shari Lelea BONNIE YAEGER Ann & Lee Cooper Joan Lesser & Ronald Johnston ‡ Past Presidents Barbara and Bruce Dobkin Diane Levine & Bob Wass Billie & Steven Fischer Wendy Levine PROGRAM COORDINATOR Good Works Foundation Nan Lewis THERESA WILLIS PETERS Jackie & Stan Gottlieb Astrid & Howard Preston Pattikay & Meyer Gottlieb William & Sally Rutter Carol & Irving Greines DIRECTOR, EDUCATION Ruth Roberts & Dennis Wasser Ms. Leslee Hackenson & Mr. Roger Allers & COMMUNITY PROGRAMS The Schrillo Family Foundation Mrs. Lois Haytin MERYL FRIEDMAN Muriel Sherman Lewis & Sandy Kanengiser Stephanie Snyder & Michael Warren Joanne Knopoff DIRECTOR, CAP UCLA Mike Thurman Mrs. Marti Koplin William Turner KRISTY EDMUNDS Morelle & Norman Levine Carol Vernon & Bob Turbin Mrs. Ginny Mancini Christopher & Glennis Waterman Dr. Jeffrey Perloff & Dr. Jacqueline Persons Pamela Weinberger Dr. James D. Person Diane Weinstein Laurie Raskin Shuman & Rick Shuman Budd & Vicki Willis William Turner Mimi & Werner Wolfen Special thanks to our Harley Williams & Madi Kleiner Stanley & Dorothy Wolpert Volunteer Coordinator, Ruth Zeigler Ellen Kaufman (Gifts received before 5/25/12) Anita & Julius L. Zelman