Beginning in 2024, Lesher Center’s Headliners Series adopted the use of digital programs meant to be viewed on mobile devices. By cutting our paper use and eliminating substantial printing costs we are sustaining our mission to elevate the arts in the greater Contra Costa region.
Please be considerate of other patrons and artists when viewing digital programs on your mobile devices. View digital programs before the performance begins or during intermissions.
Patrons who create distractions may be asked to leave.
Announcing the 2024/25 Headliner Series
At The Lesher Center Support Lesher Center More from Fiesta Cultural Company Dancers and Artistic Leadership Ballet Hispánico Program
Program Details
Approx 90 minutes with no intermission
Welcome
Welcome to Fiesta Cultural—the Lesher Center’s week-long celebration of Latin American arts and culture.
Throughout the year, our Lesher Center Presents series brings audiences entertainment and inspiring artistic voices from across the globe. Through our Headliners Series, Center Repertory Company theatrical productions and Bedford Gallery exhibitions, over 250,000 arts enthusiasts engage with our programs, and we’re thrilled to have you with us today!
Fiesta Cultural is a true coming together of diverse genres, mediums, artists, and themes at this beautiful home for the arts. We are thankful to the many participants behind-the-scenes, on our stages, external community leaders
Whether this is your first or 100th time at the Lesher Center, we invite to explore our programming and learn more about the thrilling events coming up. This is YOUR center, and we look forward to sharing the stories, sounds and spirit that make up our community with you.
Peggy + Carolyn
Peggy White
Executive Director, Diablo Regional Arts Association
Carolyn Jackson
General Manager, Lesher Center for the Arts and those participating in our outdoor street-fair for helping to make this extraordinary week come to vibrant life.
Featuring world-renowned artists, the Lesher Center Presents Headliners series showcases a diverse range of artists and genres— from Broadway powerhouses to the newest superstars of Jazz, Dance, World-Music!
The 2024/25 Headliners Season includes:
A FIRESIDE CHAT WITH RITA MORENO
September 18, 2024
Actress, dancer, and entertainment icon—the ‘EGOT’ winner sits down to discuss her eight-decades of life in entertainment and passion for Arts Education.
360 ALLSTARS
October 26, 2024
BMX, beatbox, and breakdance collide in this internationally acclaimed performance troupe!
MS. MONÉT
January 11, 2025
A fan favorite from NBC’s The Voice, the Bay Area native and jazz singer rising star has toured with Boz Scaggs, Michael McDonald, Johnny Mathis and more!
STELLA COLE
January 18, 2025
Straddling the world of jazz, pop and musical theater, this multifaceted performer’s star is fast on the rise through her fresh interpretations of songs from Barbra Streisand to Billie Eilish.
MANDY PATINKIN IN CONCERT: BEING ALIVE WITH ADAM BEN DAVID
February 20, 2025
From Evita to The Princess Bride to TV’s “Homeland”, the Broadway legend and powerhouse actor
COLLEGE NOTES A CAPPELLA
February 21-22, 2025
The sold-out event returns as the nation’s top collegiate A Cappella performance groups gather for this only-at-the Lesher Center event!
DANCE THEATRE OF HARLEM
March 14-15, 2025
The celebrated multi-ethnic dance company celebrate Black culture and empowerment through the arts for all.
TERENCE BLANCHARD
The world-renown Grammy Awardwinning jazz trumpeter—and San Francisco Jazz’s Executive Artistic Director—celebrates the 20th anniversary of his critically acclaimed recording, Flow.
MIGUEL ZENÓN
April 11, 2025
The internationally acclaimed Grammy Award-winner has been hailed as one of the most influential saxophonists of his generation.
MARIACHI REYNA DE
LOS ANGELES
June 13, 2025
America’s first allfemale mariachi ensemble makes their Lesher Center debut Summer 2025.
All shows on sale now! Save 20% when you choose one of our minibundle packages, or choose six or more performances from any of the below shows and save 25%! Click below to learn more!
Learn More
The Headliners Series is brought to you by the Lesher Center and Diablo Regional Arts Association.
Ballet Hispánico Program
Photo by Susan Bestul
Lesher Center for the Arts and Diablo Regional Arts Association present
Tina Ramirez FOUNDER
ARTISTIC DIRECTOR & CEO
Eduardo Vilaro
ARTISTIC ASSOCIATE & REHEARSAL
Tina Ramirez
BALLET MISTRESS
Anitra Keegan
CHIEF MANAGING DIRECTOR
Patrick Muhlen
THE COMPANY
Fatima Andere, Amir J. Baldwin, Mia Bermudez, Leonardo Brito, Antonio Cangiano, Amanda del Valle, Daryn Diaz, Ana Estrada, Paulo HernandezFarella, Cori Lewis, Dylan Dias McIntyre, Adam Dario Morales, Amanda Ostuni, Omar Rivéra, Isabel Robles, and Isabella Vergara
CLUB HAVANA
By Pedro Ruiz
2000, The Joyce World Premiere: Pedro Ruiz Choreography by Israel Lopez, Rubén Gonzales, A.K. Salim, Pérez Prado and Francisco Repilado Music by Emilio Sosa
Costume Design by Donald Holder Lighting Design by
The original Club Havana production was made possible, in part, by gifts from Jody and John Arnhold, Dhuanne and Douglas Tansill and Caroline Newhouse; by grants from American Express Company and AT&T; and with commissioning funds from the New York State Council on the Arts.
CLUB HAVANA
By Pedro Ruiz Romanza
The Company in “Club Havana”
Photo by Joseph Sinnott
SOMBRERÍSMO
By Annabelle Lopez Ochoa
2013, New York City World Premiere: Annabelle Lopez Ochoa
Choreography by
Music by Diana Ruettiger
Le Banda Ionica featuring Macaco el Mono Loco, Titi Robin and soundscape by various artists
Costume Design by Joshua Preston Lighting Design by Fatima Andere, Amir J. Baldwin, Antonio Cangiano, Paulo Hernandez-Farella, Dylan Dias McIntyre, Omar Rivéra
Sombrerísimo was commissioned by New York City Center for the 2013 Fall for Dance Festival.
Performed by
18+1
By Gustavo Ramírez Sansano
2012 World Premiere: Gustavo Ramírez Sansano Choreography by Pérez Prado
Music by
Costume Design by Savannah Bell Theater
Ghabriello Fernando
Lighting Design by
Experience the captivating essence of Gustavo Ramírez Sansano’s choreography in 18+1—a vibrant celebration of vulnerability and joy. With subtle humor and eclectic movements, this piece intertwines with the playful rhythms of Pérez Prado’s mambo music, embodying the care and hope inherent in every artistic journey.
Performed by Fatima Andere, Amir J. Baldwin, Antonio Cangiano, Amanda del Valle, Paulo HernandezFarella, Cori Lewis, Dylan Dias McIntyre, Amanda Ostuni, Omar Rivéra, Isabel Robles
Opening Solo
Amanda del Valle Mama Teach Me
Amanda del Valle
The Company in “18+1”
Photo by Rosalie O’Connor
CompanyandDancers
Artistic Leadership
Dylan Dias McIntyre and Isabel Robles in Club Havana
Photo by Ben McKeown, courtesy of the American Dance Festival
FATIMA ANDERE
(She/Her) Dancer Fatima is originally from Mexico. Fatima moved to Miami, FL at an early age where she began her training with Artistic Dance Center under the direction of Elizabeth Nuevo and Lissette Lucas. She graduated from Florida State University in 2020 with a BFA in Dance. Fatima has trained with Alonzo King LINES Ballet, San Francisco Conservatory of the Arts, BODYTRAFFIC and Ballet Hispánico’s ChoreoLaB. She joined Dance NOW! Miami for their 2021/22 season where she had the honor of performing works by José Limón, Isadora Duncan and Daniel Lewis. This is Fatima’s second season with Ballet Hispánico.
AMIR J. BALDWIN
(He/Him) Dancer
Amir is from Trenton, NJ. He received his BFA in Dance from Montclair State University with a minor in American Sign Language. His dance training consists of an eclectic mix which includes Ballet, Modern, Horton, Jazz, Contemporary, Musical Theatre and Capoeira. Amir has worked with choreographers such as Matthew Rushing, Clifton Brown, Frederick Earl Mosley, Helen Pickett, Annabelle Lopez Ochoa, Michelle Manzanales, Omar Román De Jesús and Yusha Sorzano. He has trained in educational facilities over the course of his training such as Ballet Hispánico, Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater,
Complexions Contemporary Ballet and E.M.I.A. This is Amir’s second season with Ballet Hispánico.
MIA BERMUDEZ
(She/Her) Apprentice Mia is from Montclair, New Jersey and began her dance training at Ballet Hispánico School of Dance training under the La Academia Pre-Professional Program on a full merit scholarship. At the age of eleven years old, Mia was awarded the Nuestro Futuro Merit Scholarship studying ballet, Spanish dance, and modern under the direction of Rodney Hamilton, Michelle Manzanales, Nicole Duffy, Caridad Martinez, Gabriela Granados, and Yvonne Gutierrez. While at Ballet
Hispánico, Mia has performed at the Macy’s Thanksgiving Parade, Ballet Hispánico’s Performances for Young People at the Apollo Theatre, and annually at the Ballet Hispánico Gala. She has trained at numerous intensive dance programs including Debbie Allen Dance Academy, La Escuela National de Ballet de Cuba, Canada National Ballet School and Ballet Hispánico’s ChoreoLaB.
This is Mia’s first season with Ballet Hispánico.
LEONARDO BRITO
(He/Him) Dancer
Leonardo is from Rio de Janeiro, Brazil and started his training with Projeto Primeiro Passo, before
training at Escola Estadual de Danca Maria Olenewa, Center of Art Nós da Dança, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Miami City Ballet School and The Ailey School. Leonardo has performed with companies such as Mariinsky Ballet, Municipal Theater of Rio de Janeiro, Emotions Physical Theater, Dance Theater of Florida, Alvin Ailey and Ailey II. In 2016, Leonardo was awarded the III Brazilian Modern Dance Congress and he has performed works by Robert Battle, Jennifer Archibald, Jae Man Joo, Darrell Grand Moultrie, Amy Hall Garner, Melanie Futorian, Ray Mercer, Bradley Shelver and others. He has also made appearances in Tommy Hilfiger’s Pride Campaign 2019, OUT Magazine’s May 2019 Issue, Hong Kong Dance Magazine’s Sept. 2020 Issue, the opening of “Fantástico” 2021 at Globo TV Chanel,
Glossier Campaigns, the POSE FX Television Series Season 2 and Willy Chavarria’s Safe From Harm film. This is Leonardo’s fifth season with Ballet Hispánico.
ANTONIO CANGIANO
(He/Him) Dancer Antonio is from Naples, Italy. He trained on scholarship from Ateneo Danza, Accademia Normanna and the Martha Graham Dance School in New York City. Cangiano has danced for the Nai-Ni Chen Dance Company, Dardo Galletto Dance, Acsi Ballet, Graham 2 and the Martha Graham Dance Company for their 90th Anniversary Season at New York City Center. In 2017, he was awarded the
Rising Star Award from the Italian International Dance Festival in NYC. Antonio has danced works by worldrenowned choreographers such as Martha Graham, William Forsythe, Nacho Duato, Annabelle Lopez Ochoa and Gustavo Ramírez Sansano, among others. This is Antonio’s sixth season with Ballet Hispánico.
AMANDA DEL VALLE
(She/Her) Dancer
Amanda is CubanAmerican, born and raised in Miami, Florida where she began her early training with Miami Youth Ballet under the direction of Marielena Mencia and Yanis Pikieris. She continued her training at the New World School of
the Arts with Mary Lisa Burns as the Dean of Dance. She graduated in 2016 with training in classical ballet, Horton, Limón and the Graham technique. Amanda then continued her studies at Point Park University where she received her BFA under the direction of Garfield Lemonius. There she had the honor of working with renowned choreographers such as Jennifer Archibald, Jessica Lang, Robert Priore, Christopher Huggins and Yin Yue. During Amanda’s professional career she has performed leading roles in works by Annabelle Lopez Ochoa, Gustavo Ramírez Sansano and William Forsythe. This is Amanda’s fourth season with Ballet Hispánico.
DARYN DIAZ
(She/Her) Apprentice Daryn was born and raised in Tampa, FL of Cuban and Spanish descent. She began her training at the Patel Conservatory at an early age, while there, Diaz was part of the pre-professional ballet company of the Straz Center – Next Generation Ballet. Alongside her classical ballet studies, she also trained in contemporary and jazz styles. Daryn has participated in numerous summer programs such as Central Pennsylvania Youth Ballet, Centro de Dansa Victor Ullate in Madrid, Pacific Northwest Ballet and Gaga Homelab NYC. In 2019, she joined Ballet Hispánico’s second company, BHdos, where she performed works by Annabelle
Lopez Ochoa, Ramon Oller, Vicente Nebrada and others. In 2018, Diaz was inducted into the National Honor Society and in 2019, graduated a year early. She is currently working towards her Bachelor’s degree in Leadership & Management at New York University. This is Daryn’s first season with Ballet Hispánico.
ANA ESTRADA
(She/Her) Dancer
Ana was born in Hermosillo, Son, México where she started training with Gabriela Estrada. She graduated from the University of Arizona with a BFA in Dance and a BS in Marketing. She has trained in companies such as Alonzo King LINES Ballet, Complexions
Contemporary Ballet, Ballet Arizona and Kegwin and Company. Ana has performed with various dance companies and projects in Mexico and the USA including NYC Opera, Nimbus Dance Works, Broadway Christmas Wonderland National Tour and Tania Perez Salas Cía. She has toured nationally and internationally and has also been a part of film and television projects such as Amazon Prime’s Ana, the series, and Alejandro Gonzales Iñárritu’s new film: Bardo. This is Ana’s second season with Ballet Hispánico.
PAULO HERNANDEZFARELLA
(They/Them) Dancer
Paulo is a firstgeneration SalvadoranAmerican from Los Angeles, California. Paulo attended the Los Angeles County High School for the Arts and later received a full scholarship at the University of Southern California where they graduated with both a BFA in Dance and a Master’s in Public Administration. Paulo has been a scholarship student for a multitude of dance programs such as the Juilliard School Summer Intensive, the Joffrey Ballet’s International Intensive and Alonzo King LINES Intensive. Paulo is also one of seven 2016–2017 dance scholars with Nigel
Lythgoe’s Dizzyfeet Foundation. During their career Paulo performed the works of Forsythe, Kylián, Duato, Balanchine, Graham, Taylor, Petipa and Lopez Ochoa to name a few and choreographed their own original work. This is Paulo’s sixth season with Ballet Hispánico.
FRANCESCA LEVITA
(She/Her) Dancer
Francesca is originally from Chicago, Illinois where she began her training with Visceral Dance Center under the instruction of Nick Pupillo and Laura Wade. She has attended numerous ballet intensives including BalletMet, American Ballet Theatre, Milwaukee Ballet, and several
National and International summer intensives including The School at Jacob’s Pillow Contemporary Summer Intensive, Orsolina28, BODYTRAFFIC, and Arts Umbrella. In 2024, Francesca graduated with Honors Summa Cum Laude from Marymount Manhattan College with a Bachelor’s degree in Fine Arts with a double concentration in Ballet and Modern dance. At Marymount, Francesca has performed the works of many choreographers including Sidra Bell, Twyla Tharp, Jennifer Archibald, Pedro Ruiz, Earl Mosley, Jenn Freedman, Chanel Desilva, Jamal White, and Darshan Bhuller. This is Francesca’s first season with Ballet Hispánico.
CORI LEWIS
(She/Her) Dancer
Cori was born and raised in New Orleans, Louisiana. She began her training at Lusher Charter School and The New Orleans Ballet Association, and later received her BFA in Dance with a Minor in Mathematics and Computer Science from SUNY Purchase College. She performed works by Ronald K. Brown, Michelle Manzanales, Annabelle Lopez Ochoa, Pedro Ruiz and Eduardo Vilaro for children across the greater New York area with Ballet Hispánico’s second company for the 2018 season. This is Cori’s third season with Ballet Hispánico.
DYLAN DIAS MCINTYRE
(He/Him) Dancer
Dylan was born in Key West and raised in West Palm Beach, Florida. Dylan started dancing at Palm Beach Ballet Center when he was 8 years old. When he was 16, he moved to Tampa to be a trainee with Next Generation Ballet. After 2 years, he joined Richmond Ballet to complete his training and then started his professional career with Richmond Ballet’s second company. In 2019, Dylan became a company dancer with Ballet Memphis where he danced for three seasons, and he participated in a season with Terpsicorps Theatre of Dance in the summer of 2022. This is Dylan’s second season with Ballet Hispánico.
ADAM DARIO MORALES
(He/Him) Apprentice Adam is of Colombian descent, and was born and raised in Englewood, New Jersey. He began his training at The Ailey School under the direction of Tracy Inman and Tiffany Barnes on a full merit scholarship at the age of four years old. During his training, he was awarded the “Alvin Ailey Athletic Boy’s Scholarship.” In 2019, Adam was selected to be a recipient of The New York Community Trust Van Lier Fellowship as a student of The Ailey School. Adam then joined Ballet Hispánico’s Professional Studies program as part of the inaugural cohort under the direction of Rodney Hamilton. Adam also had the privilege to have starred in HBO’s
Legendary Season 3. Adam has had the opportunity to work with artists such as Eduardo Vilaro, Norbert De La Cruz III, Tsai-Hsi Hung, Juan Rodriguez, Christian Von Howard, Pedro Ruiz, Tiffany Barnes, Lisa Attles and Adrian Herd. This is Adam’s first season with Ballet Hispánico.
AMANDA OSTUNI
(She/Her) Dancer
Amanda is from Patterson, New York where she began dancing at Seven Star School of Performing Arts. She spent fourteen years training in ballet (under the guidance of Anita Intrieri), contemporary, jazz, tap and hip hop. In 2019, she attended Butler
University, furthering her dance training and education, graduating in 2023 with a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Dance Performance. She performed roles such as Odette in Butler Ballet’s performance of Swan Lake, as well as the Sugar Plum Fairy in Butler Ballet’s The Nutcracker. While she was there, Amanda had the honor of working with Susan McGuire, training in a hybrid of Cunningham and Graham techniques, as well as working with Jennifer Archibald and Deborah Wingert. This is Amanda’s first season with Ballet Hispánico.
OMAR RIVÉRA
(He/Him) Dancer Omar is a MexicanAmerican originally from Los Angeles, CA. After moving to Dallas, Texas, Rivéra trained at Prodigy Dance & Performing Arts Centre under the direction of Camille Billelo. He graduated from the prestigious Booker T. Washington High School for the Performing & Visual Arts. Rivéra graduated with a BFA in Dance from the University of Arizona in 2018. While at the University of Arizona, Rivéra performed at The Joyce Theater for the José Limón International Dance Festival, and danced works by guest artists including Christopher Wheeldon, Darrell Grand Moultrie, Bella Lewitzky and others. This is Omar’s sixth season
ISABEL ROBLES
(She/Her) Dancer Isabel was born in Arlington, Virginia and began training in ballet at age 4. At the Classical Ballet Theatre she trained in the styles of ballet, jazz, Horton, Graham, character dance and contemporary forms. Isabel was a scholarship student at The Houston Ballet program in 2013 where she performed works of Stanton Welsh, George Balanchine, David Lichine and John Neumeier. During high school, she attended The Washington Ballet, where she worked with Julie Kent and Xiomara Reyes and performed with the company in The Nutcracker.
In May 2022 Isabel graduated from James Madison University with a B.A. in Dance. This is Isabel’s second season with Ballet Hispánico.
ISABELLA VERGARA (She/Her)
Dancer
Isabella is a multifaceted Mexican-American dancer from Westfield, NJ. She graduated Summa Cum Laude with a B.F.A. in Dance from Mason Gross School of The Arts at Rutgers University in 2018. In 2019, she joined Calpulli Mexican Dance Company where she started training in baile folklórico. Throughout her career, Isabella has been a freelance dancer in the greater New York area, working with companies such as Dzul
Dance and Oca Dance. Isabella has been a part of the Ballet Hispánico community since 2018. She attended ChoreoLaB under the Nuestro Futuro Scholarship in 2018 and 2022. She then joined the School of Dance as a faculty member and completed the Pa’lante Scholars Professional Studies Program as part of the inaugural cohort in 2021-2022. This is Isabella’s second season with Ballet Hispánico.
EDUARDO VILARO
Artistic Director & CEO
Eduardo Vilaro joined Ballet Hispánico as Artistic Director in August 2009, becoming only the second individual to lead the company since its inception in 1970. In 2015, he expanded his role to include that of Chief Executive Officer. A member of the Ballet Hispánico family since 1985, Vilaro initially contributed as a dancer and educator before founding the Luna Negra Dance Theater in Chicago, where he served as Artistic Director for ten years, establishing a significant record of achievement. Vilaro has enriched Ballet Hispánico’s legacy with a bold and eclectic
brand of contemporary dance that reflects America’s evolving cultural landscape. Born in Cuba and raised in New York from the age of six, he is a prominent advocate and speaker on the merits of cultural diversity and dance education. His choreography is devoted to capturing the spiritual, sensual, and historical essence of Latino cultures. Over his career, Vilaro has created more than 40 works and has received commissions from prestigious entities such as the Ravinia Festival, the Chicago Sinfonietta, the Grant Park Festival, the Lexington Ballet, and the Chicago Symphony. He was honored with the Ruth Page Award for choreography in 2001, and in 2003, he was honored for his choreographic work at Panama’s II International Festival of Ballet.
Vilaro was inducted into the Bronx Walk of Fame in 2016 and named HOMBRE Magazine’s 2017 Arts & Culture Trailblazer of the Year. In 2019, he received the WESTY Award from West Side Spirit, was honored by WNET for his contributions to the arts, and most recently, and earned the James W. Dodge Foreign Language Advocate Award. In 2022 and 2023, he was featured in Crain’s New York lists of Notable Hispanic Leaders and Notable LGBTQ Leaders, respectively, and was celebrated as one of Forbes’ Kings of Culture, Legends of Business. In 2024, Vilaro joined the Cultural Diplomacy Leadership Council of the Meridian International Center based in Washington, DC. Additionally, he received an honorary Doctorate of Fine Arts from his alma mater, Adelphi University, in recognition of
his distinguished achievements in learning and the arts.
JOHAN RIVERA
Artistic Associate &
Rehearsal Director
Hailing from the colorful streets of San Juan, Puerto Rico, Johan Rivera is the Artistic Associate & Rehearsal Director at Ballet Hispánico. His dance training began at the School for the Performing Arts, PR under the direction of Waldo Gonzalez. Mr. Rivera graduated Magna Cum Laude, with a BFA from the New World School of the Arts/ University of Florida in 2013 and proudly holds a Master of Arts in Executive Leadership, an achievement he dearly treasures as the first
member of his family to have this opportunity. During his tenure as a Ballet Hispánico Company member, Mr. Rivera originated roles in ballets by visionary choreographers such as Annabelle Lopez Ochoa, Gustavo Ramírez Sansano, Pedro Ruiz and Eduardo Vilaro, leaving a lasting mark on audiences around the world.
After retiring from the stage, Mr. Rivera had the honor of mentoring and directing BHdos, Ballet Hispánico’s second company, before ascending to the role of Rehearsal Director for the main company in 2017. In 2021, he assumed the role of Artistic Associate. Now, as the Artistic Associate & Rehearsal Director, Mr. Rivera engages with diverse communities, celebrating and promoting inclusivity through the joy of movement. He passionately
supports the artistic development of the Company and the implementation of Ballet Hispánico’s core artistic vision.
ANITRA KEEGAN
Ballet Mistress
Born in Seoul, Korea, Anitra Keegan is a seasoned dancer and educator that has trained in various prestigious institutions across the globe, including the Royal Academy of Dance in Yorkshire, England, the Central Pennsylvania Youth Ballet and The Rock School for Dance Education. She has performed in both classical and contemporary works for several renowned dance companies, including BalletX, American Repertory
Ballet and Ohio Ballet Company. In addition to her professional career, Ms. Keegan has also served as an adjunct ballet faculty member at several esteemed universities, including University of Arts, Drexel University, Temple University and Princeton University. With her vast experience and expertise in ballet, contemporary dance and education, Ms. Keegan also holds an Associate Degree in Business Management and a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Dance at Mason Gross School of the Arts, Rutgers University. From 2012 to 2018, she held the position of Capezio’s Master Pointe Specialist and traveled the continental United States and Canada as their Brand Ambassador, creating educational events for all Youth America Grand Prix competitions as well as designing custom pointe shoes for premiere
ballet companies. In 2018 she joined Nimbus Dance in Jersey City, NJ as the Marketing Associate/Company Manager and was promoted three years later to Associate Artistic Director. Currently, Ms. Keegan serves as Ballet Mistress at Ballet Hispánico.
Lesher Center Resident Programs
Our nonprofit partner, DRAA, invests in the power of the arts to transform lives and creates avenues for everyone to experience the arts.
Support Lesher Center
Fiesta Cultural 2023 Street Fair, Chavalos Danzas por Nicaragua, photo by Ben Krantz Studio
There are many ways to show your support! Your gifts through the Lesher Center’s nonprofit partner, Diablo Regional Arts Association, drive excellence, innovation, diversity, and access for all through performances, exhibitions, and education programs.
• Make a one-time or monthly donation
• Sponsor an event or program
• Donate stock or IRA
• Make a legacy with planned giving
• Use your corporate match program
• Volunteer Donate Now QUESTIONS? Contact DRAA! (925) 295-1470 or info@draa.org
Thank you to our Sponsors Presenting Sponsor
Season Sponsors
Print Media Sponsor
Thank you to our Donors
Donors 1-1-23 thru 7-12-24
$100-$249
June Aguilar
Amy Alanes
Beverly Anderson
Marty Aufhauser
Christine Barclay
Carol & Claude Benedix
Muriel Bentsen
Amos & Carla Blackmon
Stephen & Anne Bruenn
Alan Burckin
Zenaida Campos
Sue & Rich Carlston
Tameca Carr
Javier Carrillo
Duane & Helen Carroll
Christy Casassa
David Clark
Chris Clevers
Marilyn Dalziel
Jan Dolan
Joan Dorsey
Ben Drew
Sheila Driscoll
John Edwards & Anna Meniktas-Edwards
Richard Einstoss
Paula Elliott
Jennifer & Andy Enzminger
Robert & Carrol Foxall
Jean & Richard Frankel
Barry Gross
Carol Haig
Sandra Haley
Tom & Anjali Hanzel
Carol Hess
Susan & Donald Hill
Virginia Hind Hodgson
Virginia Horgan
Ruth Hussey
Diana Ichikawa
Glenn Jackson
Ruth James
Ning Jiang
Sophia Kassab
Ann Keiffer
Sally Kennedy
Toni & Craig Kilcoyne
Carol Ann King
Louanne Klein & Dave Radosevich
Cheryl & Eric Kohleriter
Alisa Kramer
Dave Kwinter
Yvonne LaLanne & Mark Rubenstein
Thank you to our Donors
Donors 1-1-23 thru 7-12-24
Linda Lamerdin
Claire Laverdiere
John & Gwenn Lennox
Kiran Lopez
Margaret Marx
Heather Marx-Zavattero
Terry Mason
Larry & Kathy McEwen
Tracy Melone
Gene Miller
John Minney & Susan Cliff
Amal Moulik
Jacquelyn Nissim
Candace O`Brien
Martha Parriott
Rayna & Richard Ravitz
Andy & Meghan Read
Ronald & Phyllis Rogness
Dennis & Renee Ross
Louise Schulden
Fred Sciammas
Andrea Shipman
Marilyn Simonsen
Linda Sonner
Gail Stevens
Lori Talbot
Carole Temps
Rebecca Thompson
June Thornton
Brooke Trost
Pat Van Oss
Linda & Clark Vilas
Alison Willett
Gary Wong
Hua Yang
$250-$499
Lori Allio
Cherlene Andresen
Jeanie & Edward Beatson
Jamie Broadhurst
Margaret & Karl Buckley-Brown
Carolyn Bybee
Manny Cho
Phyllis Christopher & Jill Garcia
Dottie & Eric Curole
Chris & Nancy Doan
Bill & Keva Dodd
Jerome S. Frantz
Linda Giffin
Marsha Ginsburg
Jean Godwin
Nicole Green
Ellen & Peter Hauskens
Thank you to our Donors
Donors 1-1-23 thru 7-12-24
Ira Hillyer
Nancy & Bruce Kaufman
Carol & James Kennedy
Kathy Klein & Scott Fink
Linda & James Landau
Marjorie & Peter Li
Elaine & Ward Lindenmayer
Sidne Long
Paula & Mark Lowery
Brandi MacDonald
Rita MacKay
Christiane & Jeffrey Maier
Ann Merideth
Toni Ratner Miller
Richard & Suzi Mills
Maryanne Mitchell
Matt Morrow
Kathryn Mulkey
Jenny & Bill Perttula
Jean & Gary Pokorny
Jason Pretzlaf
Sue Rainey
Gerald Ricker
Adrienne & Jeff Rogers
Andrea & Chad Silver
Mary Jane Sullivan
Meredith Taylor
Vickie & David Tugwell
Susan Tuttle
Mary & Thomas Twist
Catherine Watters
Kim & Stuart Weinstein
Judy & Bob Wilkenfeld
Kate Wohlford
James & Barbara Wolpmans
$500-$999
Andrea Baldacci
Samantha Caygill
Lorraine & Lionel Chan
Paul Cocotis
Serdar Copur
Jana Corral
Brian Dean & Palvir Shoker
Scott Denison & Kerri Shawn
Dennis Drew
Jim & Beverly Dubrin
Michele Ducharme
Holly Eliot
Jane & Roger Emanuel
Emilee Enders
Joseph Ficurelli
Gary & Susie Fisher
Barney Fonzi
Thank you to our Donors
Donors 1-1-23 thru 7-12-24
Shannon Gross
Kathy & John Hemmenway
Carol Holland
Reshea Holman
Natalie & Roger Hughes
Carolyn & Anthony Jackson
Linda Johnson
Barbara Kline
Linda Kramer
June Krug
Richard Leffingwell
Leslie Lessenger
Tina Locke
Christine Mitroff
Tracy & Robyn Nishimura
Elizabeth & Mark Orcutt
Johnathan Plumpton
Elaine & Ken Richter
Davis & Louise Riemer
Barbara & Danny Riggio
Jeff & Jodi Riley
Allison & Sean Roberts
Andrew Robinson
Gary Schaub & Maria Gounaris
William & Nathalie Schmicker
Chris & Rosario Toler
Danny & Brittany Toth
Violet & Carl Torneros
Emily Vandermeer
Gerry Wallace $1,000-$2,499
Judy Ackerhalt
Clara & Marty Ardron
Angela & Dan Ashley
Bobbi & Marty Bach
Gretchen Bartzen & Michael Rippey
Donna Batchelor
Annette & Don Bausley
Virginia & Mark Bigelow
David & Manny Bowlby
Dawn & Peter Brightbill
Kristen & Dan Buckshi
Patrick & Shirley Campbell
Jacqueline & James Carroll
Melissa Carucci
Barbara Cavella
Gloria & Randy Christensen
Tricia & Eric Copeland
Carrie Cox
Juliet Don
Jennifer Fish
Mary & Jan Francis
Thank you to our Donors
Donors 1-1-23 thru 7-12-24
Lynn Garrett
Nishta & Vito Giallorenzo
Claude Grillo
Anne Grodin
Susie & Charles Hanson
Nicholas Harrison
Robin & Chuck Henry
Carle Hirahara
Ellen Hole
Alice Hunter & Mark McKenna
Marion Iles
Glenn & Joel Jackson
Peter Johnson
Robert Kaliski
Lynda & Bill Keller
Trudy Ketelhut
Julianne & Bill Kloos
Ellen & James Kocins
Bob Linscheid
Beverly & David Loder
Carol Jane Louisell
David & Joan Lucchese
Sandra & Thomas Magill
Denise & Frank Mallozzi
Katie McDonald
Gail McIntyre
Gail & Jim Murray
Kathleen & John Odne
Isabelle Ord & Doug Spear
Jill & Bill Purcell
Jonathan & Jane Raymond
Susan & Mark Reckers
Ruth Reeves
Mari Reid
Paul Renard
Susanne & Chip Renner
Jeffrey Rose Olga Jane & Maynard Rotermund
M. Louise Rothman-Riemer
Vanessa & Glen Ryan
Michele & Kevin Safine
Christine & Fred Seely
Maryann Sheridan
Tina & Scott Simmons
Linda & Rory Snyder
Anne Marie & Tom Taylor
Sue & Tom Terrill
Allan Tobias & Carol Gegner
Claudia & Robert Waldron
Melissa Ward
Donna & John Warnken-Brill
Ann & Tom Watrous
Gayl Westendorf & Laura Kim
Matt Whelan & Camille Priselac
Thank you to our Donors
Donors 1-1-23 thru 7-12-24
Kevin & Jill Wilk
Stephen Woodhead & Lisa
McConnell
Emily & Danny Wu
Carole Wynstra
Broadway Plaza Tracy Dietlein
Dudum Corp Jeff Dudum
F&M Bank Margot Stafford
Macy’s/Bloomingdales
The Safeway Foundation
Wendy Gutshall
TWANDA Foundation Sidne
Long $2,500-$4,999
Annette & Tom Alborg
Douglas Alvey
Catharine & Dan Baker
Sharon & Paul Baker
Alice Beckman
Diane Crowley Young & Lance Young
Cindy & Gary Darling
Nancy Donahoe
Suzanne & CJ Doherty
Carol & Ken Fowler
Samantha & Matt Francois
Richard Goodman
Shirley & Lee Griffey
Loella & Ralph Haskew
Todd & Katrine Heintz
Natalie Inouye
Tineke & Torsten Jacobsen
Sandeep Kaujalgi & Reeni
Sondhi
Linda & Steven Lazare
Carolyn & Don Moeller
Jeannie & Bob Power
Desiree Renee Ralph
Jana & Gary Stein
Elaine Taylor
Lavergne & Howard Thomas
Wendy & Mike Thomas
Peggy & Michael White
Wendy & Scott Wilcox
COPA Innovations Laboratories
Hanson Bridgett LLP Samir Abdelnour
ZMC Hotels, LLC John P. Henry
$5,000-$9,999
Beth & Bob Borchers
Janet & Rick Cronk
Denise & Ed Del Beccaro
Julie & Tom Ducharme
Nikita & Barry Gordon
Thank you to our Donors
Donors 1-1-23 thru 7-12-24
Deborah & Phil Herndon
Jennifer & J.C. Herrera
Kathy & Jerry Hicks
Nevin Kessler
Laura & Eric Lamison
Cynthia Ann Lesher
Steve and Mackenzie Lesher
Jill & Bill O`Brien
Celia Mason
Robert Mathewson & Lucinda
Tay
Patricia Niven & Chris Dix
Jeanne Ryan
Marsha & Richard Servetnick
Cindy & Tom Silva
Linda & Jack Thompson
Deveney & Larry Totten
Bonnie Waters & Dennis
Winslow
Community Bank of the Bay
ParkSmart, Inc.
Republic Services
William A. Kerr Foundation
$10,000-$24,999
Anonymous (2)
Tammy & Ken Anderson
Angie & Peter Coffee
Brian Hirahara
Mort Johnson & Donna
Andrews
Karen Kahn & Bill Kaufmann
Barbara Llewellyn
Sharon & Jim Moore
Bob Power
Dino Riggio
Jane & Chuck Roehrig
Spalding Rooker
Kevin Sánchez
Gary Skrel
Patricia Stull
Jennifer & Peters Suh
Cheryl & Christian Valentine
Mike & Paula Weintraub
John Muir Health
Martinez Refining Company
Miller Starr Regalia
$25,000-$49,999
Hofmann Family Foundation
Holly Ingraham & David Julius
Gay White
$50,000-$99,999
Sharon Simpson
Thank you to our Donors
Donors 1-1-23 thru 7-12-24
$100,000 +
Eric Rudney Chevron
Dean & Margaret Lesher Foundation
Kaiser Permanente, Diablo Area
Leadership
City of Walnut Creek Leadership
Loella Haskew Mayor
Cindy Darling, Matt Francois, Cindy Silva, Kevin Wilk
City Council Members
Jill Dresser (Vice-Chair), Peter Magnani, Netsanet (Net) Tesfay, Iasmine Klauber, Sarah Baltazar
Arts Commission Members
Dan Buckshi
City Manager
Kevin Safine
Arts + Recreation Department Director
Diablo Regional Arts Association Board of Directors
David Julius Board President
Catharine Baker
Peter Brightbill
Jamie Broadhurst
Angie Coffee
Nadia Costa
Juliet Don
Julie Ducharme
Barry Gordon
Todd Heintz
Brian Hirahara
Natalie Inouye
David Julius
Sandeep Kaujalgi
Nevin Kessler
Bob Power
Dino Riggio
Spalding Rooker
Eric Rudney
Kevin Sanchez
Marsha Servetnick
Patricia Stull
Peters Suh
Danny Toth
Mike Weintraub
Matt Whalen
Deneen Wohlford
Steve Woodhead
Peggy White Executive Director
Lesher Center Team
General Manager
Carolyn Jackson
Production Services Supervisor
Toni Kilcoyne
Technical Staff
Daniel Aldrich
Alex Bull
Terry D’Emidio
Meghan DeBellis
Claire Denman
Alex Howard
Chris Joe
Jake Nickless
Steve Pino
Garrick Schuster
Kayla Sproule
Josh Stouffer
Fiona Sundy
Josh Yarnell
Steve Young
Audience Services Supervisor
Jeremiah Vierling
Interim Senior Ticket Agent
MOD
Aurora Wassmuth
Ticket Agent MOD
Bob Nolan
Ticket Office Staff
Cian Chu
Farah Floyd
Jacob Freeman
Penelope Griffin
Hali Loyd
Julia Toon
Zeus Valentine
House Managers
Reece Jordahl
Karen Kopp
Denise Kruft
Katie Ladowicz
Megan Linnell
Carole Price
John Quevada
Lucia Robke
Sam Samuels
Bell Stark
Cheryl Wong-Ng
Volunteer Coordinator
Pat Rusich
Office Specialists
Linda Nomura
Sarah Wilcox
Marketing Supervisor
Randy Taradash
Marketing Staff
Katrienne Lemye
Shelly Rose
Bedford Gallery provides exhibitions and public programs that reflect and engage the diverse audiences of the Contra Costa region.
@BedfordGallery Follow Us!
The resident professional theatre company of Lesher Center. Celebrate the power of the human imagination and enrich the cultural life of our community. Follow Us!
