The event was held at the home of Valaree Waller in Corona del Mar. Valaree visited arts-X-press last summer during the Richard MacDonald sculpture workshop. She is an avid artist, herself, and had several of her own paintings on display in her home. Valaree was so impressed with arts-X-press this summer she wanted to do something to help the program significantly. So, on Monday, February 11, she opened her home to a large group of her friends and several people from arts-X-press spoke with the guests or performed for them.The first performer was Youval. She was in arts-X-pre
ss during the summer of 2005 and participated in the visual art workshop. Youval’s first love, though, is the viola and she performed Elegy, Op. 44 by Glasunov. After an excellent performance, Youval talked about how even though she wasn’t placed in her first choice of arts workshop at arts-X-press, it taught her new skills and she realized she could succeed in an art form she had never considered before.After Youval performed, Jack spoke about his time at arts-X-press. Jack, an arts-X-presser from 2002, gave a moving description of how he loved participating in arts-X-press as a camper, but he has enjoyed being a counselor even more. He explained giving back to the students and helping them have a wonderful experience is more meaningful to him than anything else. Jack said his favorite thing is to receive mail from his campers telling him all the cool things they are doing now in the arts. Jack concluded by talking about the other roles he has had volunteering and working with the Symphony and how his ultimate goal is to be an arts workshop instructor like Eddie. Jack is an arts-X-presser for life!
Hillary was the next performer. She was a camper in 2005. Hillary sang the piece Mein Herr Marquis from Die Fledermaus by J. Strauss and has such a lovely voice; it was awesome to hear her perform. Following her performance, Hillary spoke as well about her experiences with arts-X-press. Hillary definitely touched the heartstrings of the guests when she became a little emotional talking about how much she loves to sing and what music means in her life. It was the perfect lead-in for the next speaker.
Some of you may know Maria Hall-Brown from her television shows on KOCE. She is the mother of Aubrey, who was an arts-X-presser in 2002. Maria talked about how a parent’s desire is for her child to become her own unique person. When Aubrey left for arts-X-press, she was shy and reserved, but when she returned from the program, Aubrey was excited about trying new arts events at her school and was much more confident. The changes Maria saw in her daughter were life changing and Maria feels honored her daughter was able to participate in arts-X-press.
The final speaker at the fundraiser was Carl St.Clair. For those of you who have met Carl and heard him speak, you know what a moving experience it can be. Carl talked about why he and his wife Susan wanted to create arts-X-press and what it has meant to their family to have a program in celebration of Cole.
All in all, the event was a major success thanks to the sharing our alumni and friends did about arts-X-press. I was honored to be able to attend and hear about the way the program has affected their lives.
Thank you Youval, Jack, and Hillary you all did a wonderful job!
Warmly,
Rachel
Rachel
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