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Music to Our Ears
The Philharmonic Society of Orange County celebrated the launch of its Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra residency with the Philharmonic Ball on March 9 at The Westin South Coast Plaza.
The black-tie event raised $1.6 million to support the Society’s artistic programs and youth music education, including Strike Up the Band, which provides musical instruments and teaching materials to schools.
Philanthropists Maria Manetti Shrem and Elizabeth Segerstrom received the California Performing Arts Visionary Award for their contributions to arts philanthropy, particularly their underwriting of the Vienna Philharmonic tour, which brought the world-renowned orchestra to Orange County and Berkeley. Additional support came from the Donna L. Kendall Foundation and the Shanbrom Family Foundation.
The evening began at the Renée and Henry Segerstrom Concert Hall, where 240 guests enjoyed a performance by the Vienna Philharmonic. The celebration moved to The Westin, where artwork panels of Vienna’s Musikverein adorned the foyer. The ballroom, inspired by Gustav Klimt’s art, welcomed guests with a performance by the Orange County Youth Symphony.
Entertainment featured dancers from the American Ballet Theatre William J. Gillespie School and a special presentation from Così fan tutte, performed by Los Angeles Opera artists, including baritone Rod Gilfry (Don Alfonso), soprano Erica Petrocelli (Fiordiligi) and mezzo-soprano Rihab Chaieb (Dorabella).
The event included a plated dinner, a Fund-a-Need program, a live auction and dancing to the Chris Norton Band. The Philharmonic Ball was made possible by honorary chairs and residency sponsors Shrem and Segerstrom, along with Donna Kendall, event chair, board vice chair, Philharmonic Society; Debra Gunn Downing, executive director, marketing, South Coast Plaza; and Jane Fujishige Yada, co-manager, Harbor Field Holdings L.L.C.
Event committee members included John Benecke, principal, John Wallace Benecke Interiors, chair, special events, Philharmonic Society of Orange County; Lauren Claus, president, the committees, Philharmonic Society of Orange County; Jean Felder, artistic and marketing chair, Philharmonic Society of Orange County; and Margaret Gates, development chair, Philharmonic Society of Orange County. Britt Meyer, president, Angels of the Arts, and Sandy Segerstrom Daniels, managing partner, C.J. Segerstrom & Sons, also provided major support of the Philharmonic Ball. South Coast Plaza, Bvlgari and Graff, among others, also sponsored the event.
Very Good Year
Pacific Symphony celebrated the Year of the Snake at the 8th Annual Lunar New Year Dinner and Concert honoring Maestro Carl St. Clair’s 35th anniversary with the symphony. The cultural affair took place on Feb. 1 in South Coast Plaza’s Jewel Court and drew 230 guests, donors and community leaders, raising more than $350,000.
The dinner and concert was hosted by Pacific Symphony board members and co-chairs Charlie Zhang, (see page 4) founder, Orange County Music & Dance, co-founder, Zion Enterprises, and restaurant entrepreneur, and his wife Ling Zhang, co-founder, Zion Enterprises; Carol Choi, founder, United Exchange Corporation and Mei-Yen Chang, event co-chair and Pacific Symphony donor; Tiffany & Co; and Hoag and the Hoag Hospital Foundation. Additional support was provided by the Jade Society members, whose generosity strengthens Pacific Symphony’s engagement with Asian communities.
“This event holds a special place in my heart because it showcases the unifying power of music, bringing communities together through a rich tapestry of melodies that everyone can enjoy,” said St. Clair. “The energy and spirit of the Lunar New Year concert are brought to life by the incredible collaboration of the hundreds of gifted musicians, making this annual celebration truly unforgettable.
Pouring Hope
On March 1, CureDuchenne and Vintner Chairs Morlet Family Vineyards hosted the 11th Annual Napa in Newport at Pendry Newport Beach, raising $1.1 million to fund research and improve care for Duchenne muscular dystrophy.
Napa In Newport featured a Grand Tasting with 26 acclaimed Napa Valley vintners, an elegant dinner curated by Chef Philip Tessier of PRESS Restaurant and a live auction offering rare wines and exclusive experiences.
Participating wineries included Alpha Omega, Aperture, Chappellet, Dana Estates, Fe Wines, Opus One, Pulido-Walker, Shafer Vineyards and ZD Wines.
As guests entered the wine-tasting area, they had the opportunity to connect with boys and young men living with Duchenne muscular dystrophy, who showcased their talents and passions, emphasizing that their disease does not define them. The dinner and program portion of the evening kicked off with a piano and vocal performance by Dillion, an 11-year-old living with Duchenne muscular dystrophy.
Speakers included Hawken Miller, son of CureDuchenne founders Paul and Debra Miller, who shared his hopes for a future free from Duchenne (see Leader Board from Feb. 24 print edition for more).
“I dream of a life like everyone else’s,” said Hawken Miller, content marketing specialist at Permobil. “I want to fall in love, get married and have a family. But right now, Duchenne is stealing that possibility from too many young men.”
A highlight of the evening was the announcement of a groundbreaking partnership between CureDuchenne and Children’s Hospital of Orange County (CHOC) to establish the CureDuchenne Clinic within CHOC’s Neuromuscular Program. Backed by a $1.5 million grant by CureDuchenne over three years, the clinic will provide state-of-the-art care, diagnostics and treatment for families across Southern California.
“Through our exciting partnership with CHOC, we are setting a new standard of care with the CureDuchenne Clinic at CHOC, providing world-class medical expertise while advancing breakthrough treatments,” said Debra Miller, founder and CEO, CureDuchenne.
The event was made possible by sponsors including PTC Therapeutics, Insmed, South Coast Plaza, Four Seasons Resorts and Residences Napa Valley, Latham & Watkins and Heffernan Insurance Brokers. The evening concluded with an exclusive afterparty at Elwood Club, featuring cocktails and live entertainment by The Dave Stephens Band.
Bits & Pieces
The Cinderella Project OC 2025 raised over $50,000 to make prom accessible for homeless teens at its inaugural Tea and Afternoon Affair on Feb. 26 at The Pacific Club in Newport Beach, which featured fashion modeling by Mi Place and was supported by Project Hope Alliance, Macy’s South Coast Plaza, Mi Place, Olivia’s, Lynn Curtin Collections and Donna Schuller Ministries and included an award ceremony where Susan Morehead, Cinderella Project OC 2025 founder, was honored with a Proclamation…Sherman Library & Gardens in Corona del Mar is launching its Grow the Gardens capital campaign to fund its expansion and renovation, which will amplify the oasis-like quality of Sherman Library & Gardens and expand community programs…On March 8, more than 200 high school students attended the Big Brothers Big Sisters of Orange County and the Inland Empire (BBBS OC/IE) Leadership Summit, held at Fullerton College (Orange County) and the Riverside County Office of Education Conference Center (Inland Empire), which was supported by Jose Medina, Supervisor of Riverside County; Dr. Edwin Gomez, Riverside County Superintendent of Schools; Kaiser Permanente; and QUAVDA, and aimed to develop leadership skills, build confidence, and promote civic engagement among high school mentors in the High School Bigs Program, which serves more than 1,600 youth across 12 school districts.nt by The Dave Stephens Band.