On Saturday, July 14, 2018, LAMusArt hosted an evening of Cocktails & Conversation at the home of outgoing LAMusArt Board President, Dr. Efrain Fuentes, and his wife, Bertha Aguirre. The event welcomed LAMusArt donors and guests for a celebration of the school’s 73 years of artistic service to the community of East Los Angeles and kicked-off the road to this year’s Stars for the Arts Benefit Dinner and Concert, of which Fuentes and Aguirre serve as co-Chairs.
Livening up the evening were student members of the LAMusArt Jazz Ensemble led by Music Ensembles Director, Austin Chanu.
In a bittersweet remark, Dr. Fuentes stated, “This is my swan song, folks,” as he reminisced on his longstanding service as President of the Board. Dr. Fuentes also announced his successor in Cynthia Pearson, who joined the Board of Directors following her involvement with the Young Professionals Advisory Board (YPAB) one year ago. Pearson is an Attorney with the firm Overton, Lyman & Prince.
Following their remarks, Executive Director of LAMusArt, Manuel Prieto, took the time to thank the many guests and donors in attendance for their enduring support of LAMusArt students and programs and urged them to continue their involvement with the school.
Prieto mentioned the recently completed renovations to the LAMusArt facilities, which included 20 individual music classrooms and three multi-purpose classrooms. The renovations were made possible, in part, due to a grant from The Ahmanson Foundation. Naming opportunities are currently available, and more information may be found here or by visiting the LAMusArt website.
Several current LAMusArt parents were also in attendance, among them the Apontes, whose 8 children have attended LAMusArt and whose daughter, Nadia, currently plays in the Jazz Ensemble. Also attending were the Versozas, whose daughter Lana is a part of this year’s Camp MusArt program and who, in her first public performance, performed “Waiting for Life to Begin” from Once on this Island Jr.
Lana and the rest of her Camp MusArt cast mates will perform Once on this Island Jr. on Friday, July 20 at East Los Angeles College.
With many facets of LAMusArt constituents in attendance, Cocktails & Conversations, was a reminder that the impact of the arts is vast and their value priceless.
For more information on Stars for the Arts and tickets, please click here.
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