SUMMER 2012 NEWSLETTER K-12 ARTS EDUCATION SINCE 1969 Upper: Bajofondo, Vijay Iyer, Circus Oz, California Guitar Trio Lower: Axis Dance Company, Yemen Blues, 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 jazz pianist and composer performances on tap for 2012/13. Remember, as wildly popular Circus Oz returns to Los Angeles 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.