Fun Facts Music Center Profiles

What is your job?

Accessorize!

Members of the orchestra can’t wear bracelets because they might knock into their instrument while they are playing.

The French have a word for it “Philharmonic” is from the French word philharmonique that means “loving harmony.”

Silence is golden

If you sit in the balcony and clear your throat, the orchestra can hear it.

Open-air arts

On the garden level, there is a 300seat children’s amphitheatre where free shows are presented by The Music Center for families.

“I am the Associate Principal Clarinet of the Los Angeles Philharmonic. Primarily, my job is to cover the first clarinet parts when the Principal is not playing.”

What schooling/training did you have?

“I studied with Yehuda Gilad, he is considered one of the greatest teachers of all time. After high school, I went to Chicago and studied at Northwestern University. After one year, I transferred to the Curtis Institute of Music in Philadelphia, where I earned my Bachelors Degree after three years.”

When did you first know you wanted to do this for a living?

“I first knew I wanted to play the clarinet for a living during a performance of the Dvorak Serenade while I was still in High School. There was a moment in the third movement, while holding a high C, when I just realized how lucky I was to be playing this incredible piece. I never looked back.”

VICE PRESIDENT, PROGRAMMING

What is your job?

“I am the Senior Vice President of Programming for the Los Angeles Philharmonic.”

How did you get started?

“I interned at the LA Phil while I was in college. I would take the bus downtown three times a week to work for the development department. Later on they hired me full time.”

When did you first know you wanted to do this for a living?

“When I was 15 my summer music camp counselor told me about Artistic Planning and that there was a whole team of people working backstage to support orchestras and performers. Until then I didn’t know such a job existed, but once I learned about it I knew it was the job for me.”

What do you like most about your job?

“My favorite part about my job is working with the many artists that perform on our stages. Each week is different and you get to experience so many different types of music!”