ORANGE COUNTY SCHOOL OF THE ARTS
GARN FAMILY JAZZ STUDIES PROGRAM AND STRINGS & ORCHESTRA PROGRAM
ARE PROUD TO PRESENT
ORANGE COUNTY SCHOOL OF THE ARTS
GARN FAMILY JAZZ STUDIES PROGRAM AND STRINGS & ORCHESTRA PROGRAM
ARE PROUD TO PRESENT
Featuring the award-winning AMBASSADOR JAZZ ORCHESTRA Arranged by Duke Ellington and Billy Strayhorn and the award-winning OCSA SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA Tchaikovsky’s Nutcracker Suite
DECEMBER 14, 2024 | 7PM
MICHAEL F. HARRAH SYMPHONY HALL
Dear Friends & Families,
It is my privilege to welcome you to the 2024-2025 performance season at Orange County School of the Arts (OCSA)! I am so honored to introduce this year’s amazing lineup of student performances and events.
This school year marks an exceptional milestone, as OCSA has now resided and flourished in the city of Santa Ana for 25 years! Over the past quarter of a century, the OCSA campus in Santa Ana has seen countless performances and served as the launching pad for thousands of dreams. Our campus has also provided a home away from home for students (and staff!) from Santa Ana and beyond. I cannot wait to see how our legacy within Santa Ana continues to grow and evolve.
As we open yet another exciting chapter in the history of the school, I would like to give a warm welcome to our new Chief Operations Officer, Dr. Gregory Endelman. Not only does he bring a wealth of knowledge and experience to the position, but he is also a great and caring human being who is ready to do what it takes to help our school be the best it can be for our students and staff.
I am looking forward to partnering with Dr. Endelman, along with our esteemed administrators, faculty, and staff, to take OCSA into this next chapter!
At this time, I want to express my heartfelt appreciation to our 2024-2025 corporate season sponsors, Pendry Newport Beach, Farmers & Merchants Bank, Boot Barn, and Yamaha, as well as to our Board of Trustees, Foundation Board of Directors, Emeritus Board, President’s Circle, and Encore members. The continued success of OCSA’s mission would not be possible without their support, leadership, and vision.
Finally, I must acknowledge our parents, alumni, administrators, faculty and staff, members of the local community, and most importantly, our student artists. Our students are the inspiration and driving force behind what we do every single day.
I am thrilled to have you join me in celebrating another impressive performance season. Please enjoy all of the magic OCSA has to offer!
With gratitude,
Teren M. Shaffer President & CEO Orange County School of the Arts
We provide an unparalleled arts and academic education in a creative, challenging, and nurturing environment to a diverse group of students who are passionate about the arts, preparing them to reach their highest potential.
Established in 1987, the nationally recognized Orange County School of the Arts (OCSA) offers a dynamic school culture that enables students to flourish as artists and scholars. The school currently serves a diverse student body of approximately 2,300 students in grades 7-12 from more than 100 cities throughout Southern California.
In addition to offering a challenging college-preparatory academic program that produces high-achieving, motivated scholars, OCSA provides aspiring young artists with the opportunity to refine their skills and flourish in one of 17 arts conservatories. Each year, more than 200 concerts, recitals, staged performances, and exhibitions are presented at a variety of venues in Orange County and throughout the world, providing students with the unique experience of entertaining and inspiring thousands of audience members.
OCSA is a donation-dependent public charter school; no student is offered or denied admission based on financial capacity. The school’s rigorous academic education coupled with advanced arts training has impacted many students, molding generations of creative thinkers, leaders, artists, innovators, and entrepreneurs.
#1 BEST CHARTER HIGH SCHOOL IN CALIFORNIA Niche, 2025
Dr. Jacob Sustaita, conductor
Selections from The Nutcracker (1892) Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky (1840-1893)
I. O verture
II. March
III. Trepak
IV. Danse Chinoise
V. Danse des Mirlitons
VI. Valse des Fleurs
VII. Pas de deux
Rudolph, the Red-Nosed Reindeer (1972) Johnny Marks
Arr. James Stephenson (1909-1985)
Allie Molin, Trumpet -Intermission-
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Jingle Bells
Ambassador Jazz Orchestra
Dr. John Reynolds, Conductor
James Pierpoint
Arr. Ernie Wilkins
The Nutcracker Suite Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky
Arr. Billy Strayhorn and Duke Ellington
Overture
Sugar Rum Cherry
Volga Vouty
Toot, Toot, Tootie Toot
Arabesque Cookie
Dance of the Floreadores
Chinoiserie
Peanut Brittle Brigade
White Christmas
Irving Berlin
Arr. Victor Goines
Flute
Emma He, principal
Jae Eun Park
Siyu Jiang, piccolo
Oboe
Grace Lai, principal
Sydney Kramer
Clarinet
Kenny Song, principal
Julia Dietz, bass
Bassoon
Ariana Kim, principal
Tyler Phan
Horn
Keilah Park, principal
Katie Baker
David Binoya
Sylas Wei
Trumpet
Allie Molin, principal
Miri Izenberg
Juhan Lee
Trombone
Marie Bocanegra, principal
Owen Ramos
Natalie Dechary
Zuriel Martinez, bass
Timpani
Momoka Hayashibe (Nutcracker)
Kaiden Orozco (Rudolph)
Percussion
Samantha Gonzales, principal
Momoka Hayashibe
Ella Hyunjee Choi
Paola Bran, Rafael Carrera, Ruby Cesario, Keira Chung, I. Cisneros, Sasha Davila, Ava Diaz, Riley Divel, Hudson Garcia, Marcus Hopps, Rachel Kondo, Jinah Lee, Sandy Lopez, Ian Macdonald, Robert Martin, Enzo Munz, A. Noble, Natalie Obradovich, Ashley Oh, Lily Powley, Kastelyn Shen, Shannon Swope, Charlie Thomson, Lauren Won, S. Wong
Violin
Saya Nishimura, concertmaster
Jiyu Lee, asst. concertmaster
Emily Lu, principal second
Maiya Kothari, asst. principal
second
Shaylin Bau
Joel Carrasco
Ivana Chacon
Victoria Chun
Jimin Ha
Allyson Hahn
Amelia Kang
Jaden Kim
Rachel Kim
Jaynie Lee
Kaien Lee
Sandra Lee
Matthew Martono
Thalia Nguyen-Khoa
Cadence Park
Natalie Tran
Emma Wang
Rachel Won
Chloe Woo
Lucy Woo
Ken Xiao
Audrey Yoon
Julian Yoon
(OCSA Strings utilizes rotational seating)
Viola
Sumin Cho, principal
Jayden Kim, asst. principal
Jiwon Chung
Lyla Han
Justin Hong
Viney Huang
Annabelle Jin
Kayla Kim
Christine Lee
Miono Minematsu
Killian Smith
Cello
Isaac Chun, principal
William Reynolds, asst. principal
Sabrina Chang
Alex Huang
Aiden Kim
Zachary Kim
Jeremy Lee
Jiesheng (Jason) Lee
Joey Zhou
Bass
Cosette Oh, principal
Elena Abdollahi, asst. principal
Juneau Foxlin
Harp
Sydney Lee, principal
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Woodwinds
Samuel Chung
Joan Aguilar
Luke Sakurai
Katie Shinogi
Lake Muther
Trumpet
Pedro Fregoso
Allison Molin
Miri Izenberg
Evan Rong
Kaitlyn Chung
Trombone
Owen Ramos
Marie Bocanegra
Natalie Dechary
Zuirel Martinez
Rhythm
Emmet Althoen, Piano
Shannon Imaoka, Piano
Grace Gillen, Guitar
Oliver Shiwota, Guitar
Gabriel Tong, Bass
Kilan Lam, Drumset
Kaiden Orozco, Drumset
Paola Bran, Rafael Carrera, Ruby Cesario, Keira Chung, I. Cisneros, Sasha Davila, Ava Diaz, Riley Divel, Hudson Garcia, Marcus Hopps, Rachel Kondo, Jinah Lee, Sandy Lopez, Ian Macdonald, Robert Martin, Enzo Munz, A. Noble, Natalie Obradovich, Ashley Oh, Lily Powley, Kastelyn Shen, Shannon Swope, Charlie Thomson, Lauren Won, S. Wong
Nathan King is a highly sought-after woodwind performer, jazz saxophonist, recording artist and music educator in Southern California. He has studied under some of the most well-regarded teachers in the business including Gary Foster, Jeff Ellwood, Katisse Buckingham, Sal Lozano, Dan St. Marseille and Damon Zick and has shared the stage with great musicians such as Bob Mintzer, Bill Cunliffe, Bob Sheppard, Doc Severinsen, Nick Mancini, Wayne Bergeron, John Clayton, Gregg Field, Steve Houghton, Eric Marienthal, Walt Weiskopf, Joe LaBarbera and many others.
He performs in a variety of groups including Bill Cunliffe’s big band, “Bachanalia,” Phat Cat Swingers and his own group, The King Quartet. He has performed at well-known venues including the Blue Whale, Catalina Jazz Club and Alvas Showroom. In 2015, Nathan was selected to participate in the Disneyland All-American College Band. More recently, he was honored with the award of Best Saxophonist at the 2016 Reno Jazz Festival.
As an educator, Nathan maintains a private teaching studio, conducts masterclasses and holds a conservatory teacher position in the Jazz Studies Program at Orange County School of the Arts. He is also on faculty at Mt. San Antonio College and California Baptist University.
Nathan earned a Bachelor of Music in Saxophone Performance with an emphasis in Jazz and Commercial Music from California State University, Fullerton and a Master of Music in Jazz Studies from the Bob Cole Conservatory of Music at California State University, Long Beach.
Pete Olstad has toured and performed with Maynard Ferguson, Buddy Rich, Woody Herman, Blood, Sweat and Tears; Mel Torme, Brian Setzer, Tom Jones and Latin pop star Luis Miguel.
He attended Berklee College of Music in Boston, Mass., and the University of Northern Colorado in Greeley. While in college, he received Downbeat Magazine’s “Best Jazz Soloist Award” three years in a row in the college division and, later, was one of five finalists in the Thelonious Monk Institute’s Louis Armstrong Jazz Trumpet Competition in Washington, D.C.
Olstad spent 15 years as a freelance trumpet player in Los Angeles, Calif., and later relocated to New York City for another 10 years, before settling back in Denver, Colorado.
Dr. Jacob Sustaita serves as the assistant conductor for Pacific Symphony and Music Director, Carl St. Clair. He also serves as Music Director and Conductor for the Pacific Symphony Youth Orchestra. Dr. Sustaita is also the newly appointed conductor for the Orange County School of the Arts Symphony Orchestra. In the fall 2021 and 2022 semesters, Dr. Sustaita served as Acting Orchestra Director at California State University Long Beach, Bob Cole Conservatory of Music. From 2015 to 2020, he led the Sam Houston State University Symphony, Chamber, Ballet, and Opera Orchestras as director of orchestral studies. In 2016, Sustaita and the Symphony Orchestra performed the American premiere of Anton Bruckner’s Symphony No. 1 (original Linz version) with high praise from the American and European Bruckner Societies.
Dr. Sustaita is a frequent guest conductor and clinician across the country. In 2015, Sustaita was selected by Carnegie Hall’s Weill Institute to serve as assistant conductor for Charles Dutoit and the National Youth Orchestra of America. Sustaita regularly conducted and coached the orchestra during its New York residency and on their seven-city tour of China and Hong Kong.
A native of Texas, Sustaita completed his Doctorate and Bachelor of Music degrees at the University of Houston, where he served as assistant conductor for the Moores Opera Center for three seasons. He also earned a Master of Music degree from both Penn State and Rice University.
His honors include: Schissler Conducting Fellowship, Rice University Prize and Provost Fellowship and American Prize semi- finalist and finalist. His teachers and mentors include Carl St.Clair, Charles Dutoit, Franz Krager, Brett Mitchell, Gerardo Edelstein, and Paavo Järvi.
Sustaita’s past positions include a three-year tenure as music director of the Minnesota Philharmonic, principal guest conductor for the Cleveland Orchestra Youth Orchestra, a three- year tenure as music director with the Southeast Texas Youth Symphony, and assistant orchestra director at Mayde Creek High School in Katy, TX.
Music education has always been at the forefront of his conducting interests. He regularly conducts the Linked Up Concerts created by Carnegie Hall, and he continues to develop innovative platforms for youth and family concerts that provide a meaningful and exciting experience for all concertgoers. In addition to his responsibilities with the Conroe Symphony Orchestra and Sam Houston State Orchestra, he has conducted youth and collegiate orchestras including the Houston Youth Orchestra Symphony and Philharmonia, Akron Youth Orchestra, Cleveland Orchestra Youth Orchestra, and multiple All-Region orchestras. He is also a regular presenter at conventions and for teacher in-service and development workshops.
Dr. John Reynolds is a highly sought-after educator, clinician, and trumpeter. He holds a Doctorate of Musical Arts in jazz studies from USC as well as degrees from San Diego State University (SDSU) and Point Loma Nazarene University. Dr. Reynolds is well versed in instrumental conducting as he is a student of Larry Livingston (USC Thornton School of Music) and Sharon Lavery (Downey Symphony). He has conducted numerous wind ensembles, orchestras, and pit orchestras for various musical productions over the last 20 years.
Dr. Reynolds performs frequently with his own groups throughout the United States. He has performed with jazz legends including John Clayton, Jeff Hamilton, Gerald Clayton, Rickey Woodard, Graham Dechter, Jackie Ryan, Bob Mintzer, Peter Erskine, Bobby Shew, Frank Mantooth, Gilbert Castellanos, Marshall Hawkins, Wayne Bergeron, Gordon Goodwin, and many others. Additionally, John is often called to perform in classical ensembles including the San Diego Symphony. In 2016, the SoCal Jazz Society recognized Dr. Reynolds as the Jazz Educator of the Year, and SDSU awarded him Outstanding Alumnus of the Year.
Under Dr. Reynold’s guidance, The Garn Family Jazz Studies Program has achieved national prominence as a finalist in the Essentially Ellington High School Jazz Band competition hosted by Jazz at Lincoln Center and Wynton Marsalis. Dr. Reynolds is a consultant for the Jazz at Lincoln Center organization, where he adjudicates and performs as a guest artist at festivals across the country.
Mr. John Walcutt earned a Master of Fine Arts from USC’s professional actor training program; he also studied at Royal Academy of Dramatic Art in London and The Lee Strasberg Theatre & Film Institute in Los Angeles. He has more than 35 years of experience on stage and screen as a professional actor and director, a film and theatre producer, and a screenwriter.
Mr. Walcutt has worked on nearly 200 film and television projects with more than 100 guest-starring roles including Titanic, Mulan, Little Miss Sunshine, Lost, Criminal Minds, and It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia. For many years, he was the artistic director of Shakespeare Orange County, where he played Macbeth, Malvolio, and Richard III, among many other roles. Mr. Walcutt has won the Screen Actors Guild Award and the Golden Ace Award, as well as the award for Best Director at the Indie Fest and the Las Vegas Film Festival. He was named by Orange County Register as one of the Most Influential People in Arts and Culture for 2014.
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Tchaikovsky is the despair of writers of program notes, since he is perhaps the best known of “classical” composers. Even the casual concert-goer is familiar with his life through often lurid film treatments or romantic biographies. There is little new to be said without stooping to rumors about his supposedly forced suicide to avert a scandal, an assertion I neither believe nor intend to mention!
Of all his works, probably the most famous are the 1812 Overture and The Nutcracker Suite One of his greatest strengths is his rich orchestration, and the introduction of unusual instruments. He used gun-shots in the former, and the celesta in the latter. However, Beethoven was the first to use gun-shots and Widor was the first to use the celesta, despite claims to the contrary. Still, the Nutcracker was the first successful piece of music to use the celesta, and to all intents and purposes, introduced that instrument to the public.
The ballet tells the story of a little girl who receives a nutcracker for Christmas. It is in the form of a soldier. She falls asleep and dreams that all the Christmas presents come alive and fight against the Mouse King and his minions.
March shows the full power of the orchestra with brass and percussion resounding, underpinned by the pizzicato strings, a typical Tchaikovsky touch.
Of all the sections of the ballet, the Trepak is the most Russian. Even in a purely concert performance, one can imagine the spectacular leaping of the leather-booted Cossacks.
It is in the Dance of the Sugar-plum Fairy that the celesta makes its first appearance with an orchestra. Tchaikovsky had heard the instrument, played by its inventor, Mustel, shortly before he wrote The Nutcracker. Widor had written for the instrument before, but this was the first time it was combined with a full orchestra.
The Arabian Dance is scored mainly for the woodwinds and muted strings, though the tambourine is occasionally heard. The plaintive cry of the oboe, particularly, recalls the sound of the MiddleEastern shawm. Here, Tchaikovsky reveals the Romantic obsession with the exotic.
The exoticism of the Arabian Dance is echoed in the Chinese Dance, with the use of the glockenspiel and the triangle.
Mirlitons are a musical instrument rather like “kazoos,” played by children. In the full ballet version, the score calls for these “toy flutes,” but in the Suite, flutes are used.
The Waltz of the Flowers may well be the most popular part of the Nutcracker Suite. It needs little comment.
- -James R.C. Adams
Billy Strayhorn and Duke Ellington
By 1960, Duke Ellington had nothing left to prove. He was America’s foremost big band composer, a formidable pianist, and the creator of an elegant style of jazz and swing that became an indelible part of the American sound. He had crisscrossed the country with his band dozens of times since the 1930s, and had stretched the boundaries of jazz harmony and structures with compositions like “Mood Indigo” and Black, Brown, and Beige.
When Ellington teamed up with composer, lyricist, and arranger Billy Strayhorn in 1939, the two men formed a unique partnership that lasted until Strayhorn’s untimely death in 1967. Strayhorn wrote his share of jazz hits – he is best known for “Take the A Train” and “Lush Life” – but he also brought a deep knowledge of classical music to his work with Ellington. It is significant that the first time Strayhorn’s name appeared alongside Ellington’s on a record is their 1960 Columbia album of Tchaikovsky’s Nutcracker Suite, which Strayhorn arranged.
Strayhor n and Ellington transformed more than the music; the familiar movement titles also underwent what Ellington called “reorchestration.” Dance of the Reed-Pipes morphed into Toot Toot Tootie Toot, and Dance of the Sugar-Plum Fairy changes its character entirely, shifting from a delicate interlude featuring celeste to a low-down swing tune known as Sugar Rum Cherry. The Waltz of the Flowers, here repurposed as Waltz of the Floreadores, trades its waltz tempo for a toetapping swing number, while the Arabesque Cookie features the unusual combination of bamboo whistle, bass clarinet, and tambourine.
Ellington’s biographer John Edward Hasse suggests that in creating this adaptation, Ellington and, to a lesser extent, Strayhorn were “putting one over ‘’ on the public. Hasse asks, rhetorically, “Why did Ellington and Strayhorn adapt the Tchaikovsky and Grieg suites? [The duo also made jazz versions of Grieg’s suites from Peer Gynt] As part of the time-honored traditions of ragging or jazzing the classics, to make Tchaikovsky and Grieg hip, to make them swing? … Was it at least partly to put people on?” Perhaps. Ellington, caught in an unguarded moment on tape, once described himself as “not a bank robber, but a sneak-thief.” Whatever their motivations, Ellington and Strayhorn’s version of The Nutcracker lends this beloved music a wholly unique sensibility – in the words of one reviewer, “transformed into jazz with affection, skill, and humour.”
-Elizabeth Schwartz, 2018
Technical support provided by staff and students of the Production & Design Conservatory Box Office Coordinators: Alexi McGinness, Alyssa Garcia Felix, Nichole Smith
The Strings & Orchestra Program offers students a college-preparatory curriculum that fosters technical and creative development for young musicians. Students in the Strings & Orchestra Program are provided the opportunity to perform solo and orchestral repertoire from all time periods. Strings & Orchestra Program students (including harpists) are placed in one of three orchestras: Symphony Orchestra, Chamber Orchestra, or 7th and 8th Grade String Orchestra. All students participate in regular sectionals and master classes, which are led by a distinguished faculty and internationally recognized master artist teachers. OCSA’s Symphony Orchestra has won national awards for innovative programming and is consistently recognized for its impressive level of performance.
DR. NICHOLAUS YEE Coordinator of Strings & Orchestra Program
The Strings & Orchestra Program maintains a standard repertoire list, ensuring graduates of the program have performed works that are typically heard in any professional orchestra. This creates versatile musicians who are prepared to successfully enter the university or arts conservatory program of their choice upon graduating. The program is also unique in that it provides student solo opportunities at virtually every concert. The Strings & Orchestra Program regularly collaborates with other conservatories each year, including the Musical Theatre and Classical Voice Conservatories.
The Strings & Orchestra Program’s three orchestras regularly perform throughout the season in a variety of venues, both on and off campus. The Symphony Orchestra performs annually at OCSA’s Season Finale, a schoolwide performance in late spring featuring all of the school’s arts conservatories and presented at the prestigious Segerstrom Center for the Arts. The Symphony Orchestra also performs in major venues around the world; previous performance venues have included Carnegie Hall, the Sydney Opera House, and historic concert halls in London, Vienna, Prague, and Moscow.
Joshua Bell, internationally renowned violinist
Martin Chalifour, Los Angeles Philharmonic Principal Concertmaster
Nicholas Daniel, renowned oboist
Michael Daugherty, Grammy Award-winning composer
Brett Dean, composer and former Berlin Philharmonic violist
Stephane Deneve, internationally recognized conductor
Tan Dun, Oscar Award-winning composer
Grant Gershon, conductor of the Los Angeles Master Chorale
Johannes Moser, world-class cellist
Steven Stucky, Pulitzer Prize-winning composer
Eric Tanguy, award-winning French composer
James Wilt, Los Angeles Philharmonic trumpet player
The Garn Family Jazz Studies Program enables young musicians to further their studies in the language of jazz, with courses instructed by distinguished faculty, including some of today’s top recording artists, educators, and performers. The curriculum is modeled after a university-level jazz conservatory, creating versatile musicians who are prepared to successfully enter the college or arts conservatory program of their choice upon graduation. Students in The Garn Family Jazz Studies Program experience a breadth of opportunities that enhance their development as musicians, including large jazz ensemble, small group combos, wind ensemble (winds, brass, percussion), specialized instrument master classes, musicianship courses that focus on traditional harmony and jazz arranging/composition, and exposure to professional guest artists and master clinicians who are at the top of their field.
DR. JOHN REYNOLDS Director, Instrumental Music Coordinator, Garn Family Jazz Studies Program
The Garn Family Jazz Studies Program offers students the unique opportunity to regularly perform throughout the community, state, and nation. In recent years, the Ambassador Jazz Orchestra has performed in the prestigious Segerstrom Summer Jazz Series, at Jazz at Lincoln Center in New York City, and in a variety of festivals across the western United States.
Gilbert Castellanos, American jazz trumpeter, composer, and arranger
Bill Cunliffe, Grammy Award-winning composer and arranger
Kirsten Edkins, saxophonist, composer, and educator
Gary Foster, well-known saxophonist, clarinetist, and flutist
Marshall Hawkins, bassist, drummer, and educator
Tamir Hendelman, Israeli American jazz pianist
Eric Marienthal, Grammy Award-winning saxophonist
Dr. John Reynolds is a highly sought-after educator, clinician, and trumpeter. He holds a Doctorate of Musical Arts in jazz studies from USC as well as degrees from San Diego State University (SDSU) and Point Loma Nazarene University. Dr. Reynolds is well versed in instrumental conducting as he is a student of Larry Livingston (USC Thornton School of Music) and Sharon Lavery (Downey Symphony). He has conducted numerous wind ensembles, orchestras, and pit orchestras for various musical productions over the last 20 years.
Wynton Marsalis, internationally acclaimed jazz musician and composer
Ted Nash (Grammy Award-winning saxophonist and composer)
Kenny Rampton (trumpeter, Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra)
Claudio Roditi, celebrated Brazilian trumpet player
Marvin “Smitty” Smith, American jazz drummer and composer
Victor Wooten, Grammy Award-winning bass guitarist
Dr. Reynolds performs frequently with his own groups throughout the United States. He has performed with jazz legends including John Clayton, Jeff Hamilton, Gerald Clayton, Rickey Woodard, Graham Dechter, Jackie Ryan, Bob Mintzer, Peter Erskine, Bobby Shew, Frank Mantooth, Gilbert Castellanos, Marshall Hawkins, Wayne Bergeron, Gordon Goodwin, and many others. Additionally, John is often called to perform in classical ensembles including the San Diego Symphony. In 2016, the SoCal Jazz Society recognized Dr. Reynolds as the Jazz Educator of the Year, and SDSU awarded him Outstanding Alumnus of the Year.
Under Dr. Reynold’s guidance, The Garn Family Jazz Studies Program has achieved national prominence as a finalist in the Essentially Ellington High School Jazz Band competition hosted by Jazz at Lincoln Center and Wynton Marsalis. Dr. Reynolds is a consultant for the Jazz at Lincoln Center organization, where he adjudicates and performs as a guest artist at festivals across the country.
SCHOOL
President & CEO
Teren Shaffer
Chief Operations Officer
Gregory Endelman, Ed.D.
Principal
Michael Ciecek
Assistant Principal of Instruction
Kimberly Barraza Lyons, Ph.D.
Assistant Principal of Student Services
Becca Freeland
Assistant Principal of Arts
Maria Lazarova, D.M.A.
Assistant Principal of Student Supervision
Abbe Levine
Director of Special Services
Lauren Reynolds
Learning Specialist
Shelley Stanphill
Vice President of Communications
Kelly Andrews
Vice President of Development
Elizabeth Ton
Director of Productions
Eric Hamme
SCHOOL OF APPLIED ARTS
Arts & Enterprise
Ally Bushman, Director
Mekjian Family Culinary Arts & Hospitality
Daniel Mattos, Chef Director
SCHOOL OF DANCE
Ballet & Contemporary Dance
Steven B. Hyde, Director
Ballet Folklórico Dance
Marlene Peña-Marin, Director
Ballroom Dance
Robert Porch, Director
Commercial Dance
Nicole Berger, Director
SCHOOL OF FINE & MEDIA ARTS
Creative Writing
Joshua Wood, Director
Martin & Cynthia Howard
Design & Media
Patrick Williams, Director
Film & Television
Aaron Orullian, Director
Integrated Arts
Charna Lopez, Director
Cassandra Foster, Conservatory Manager
Visual Arts
Paige Oden, Director
Randy Au, Assistant Director
SCHOOL OF MUSIC
Classical Voice
Ryan Reithmeier, D.M.A., Director
Instrumental Music
Sarkis Baltaian, D.M.A., Director
Pianist Program
Strings & Orchestra Program
John Reynolds, D.M.A., Director
The Garn Family Jazz Studies Program
Frederick Fennell Wind Studies Program
Nicholaus Yee, D.M.A., Coordinator
Strings & Orchestra Program
Popular Music
Natasha Pasternak, Director
SCHOOL OF THEATRE
El-Erian Family Acting
John Walcutt, Director
Donald Amerson, Conservatory Manager
Musical Theatre
Ryan Miller, Director
Amelia Barron, Conservatory Manager
Production & Design
Kelly Marie Pate, Director
Officers
Paul Satkin, Chair
Gary Humphreys, Secretary
Members
Hon. Halim Dhanidina (Ret.)
Vincent Foley, Jr.
Jessica Herthel
Officers
Jason Herthel, Chair
Teren Shaffer, President & CEO
Jennifer Sternshein, Secretary
Michael Laven, Treasurer
Hon. Halim Dhanidina (Ret.), Board of Trustees Representative
Jennie Johanson-Maya, Vice Chair, Public Relations & Marketing
Eoin L. Kreditor, J.D., Vice Chair, Legacy Giving
Kimberley Lakes, Ph.D., Vice Chair, Human Capital
Christine Walker-Bowman, Vice Chair, Finance
Directors
Lisa Argyros
Jim Bergman
Lisa Brennan
Miaad Bushala
Bruce E. Chapman
Jim Conroy
Julia Feldman
Lamia Gabal, M.D.
Julie Garn
Gillian Hayes, Ph.D.
Steven Ho
Martin Howard
Michael Le, M.D.
Lee Runnels
Don Steiner
Julia Argyros
John Daniels
Sandy Segerstrom Daniels
Mohamed El-Erian
Brad Ellis, J.D.
Maria Newkirk Fong
John Gates
Carol Green
Jerry Mandel
Michal Mekjian, Jr.
James “Walkie” Ray
Judy Sabbagh
Susan Samueli, Ph.D.
Janice Frey Smith
Kate St. Clair
Russell Stern
John Vestri
Scott Woolsey
In Memoriam
Paul Folino
Doug Garn
Sebastian Paul Musco
Lew Webb
The OCSA Foundation is a nonprofit organization that is dedicated to providing financial support to the school The Foundation accomplishes this through individual contributions (in addition to families’ annual Conservatory Funding Agreements); membership support and social groups, including Encore; corporate sponsorships; special events; foundation grants; legacy giving; capital campaigns; and community engagement programs and classes.
All Foundation gifts and membership contributions provide invaluable support toward important schoolwide initiatives that directly benefit our talented students.
Thank you to the following 2024-2025 President’s Circle members:
Lamia Gabal and Charlie Wilcoxson
Armi and Ron Abiera
Cheryl Alderson and Charles Dominguez
Courtney and James Banaag
Autumn and Frank Bignami
Alyson and Alfredo Cartagena
Kara and Rob Casola
Kathy and William Chang
Joy Chao and Jason Lee
Arpi and Bobby Charlu
Julia and Lewis Cho
Gretchen and Jim Conroy
Michelle and Tim Danaher
Neeti and Sandeep Dang
Saranya and Halim Dhanidina
Malisa and Kanwal Duggal
Julia Feldman and Ryan Malone
Sally and Dan Fleet
Laura Forbes and Mike Huntley
Betsy and Luke Freiler
Stacy and Jason Gwin
Sameena and Ali Habib
Allison and Brian Herman
Jason and Jessica Herthel
Jennie Johanson-Maya and Sal Maya
Karen Kim and Spencer Ho
Annu Khemka and Maneesh Goyal
Cheryl and Michael Laven
Debbie and Bonaparte Liu
Sherry and Paul Main
Greg McCollum and Jeff Van Hoosear
Maeesha Merchant and Gaurav Diwan
Jessica Miley and Alejandro Brubaker
Tita Nguyen and Michael Le
Rose Paguirian-Steiner and Don Steiner
Allison and Jim Panetta
Amy Parekh and Jay Shah
Brad Pivar and Rod Escobedo
Ami and Rakesh Puvvada
Alexis and Julian Recana
Catey and Chris Reese
Trilby and Michael Robinson-Dorn
Melissa and Jeffrey Ruderman
Anna Schlotzhauer and Jim Bergman
Jennifer and Brad Smith
Karen Smith and Jay Jerrier
Mohini and Vip Soni
Jeannette and John Soumbasakis
Lisa Stevens Wegner and Jed Stevens
Kim and Bert Tavares
Mei Tsang and Steve Brown
Kelly and Brooks Wackerman
Ivy Wang and Patryk Symchych
Courtney and Andrew Wittkop
Manuella and Michael Yassa
Michelle and Gary Yoshino
Sandy and David Young
Jinny and Ed Yun
Thank you to the following 2024-2025 Encore members:
Armi and Ron Abiera
Acting Conservatory Mom
Anonymous
Justin Aragon and Laura Boysen-Aragon
Ms. Jyothi Atluri
The Bailey Family
James and Courtney Banaag
Edgar and Julie Barajas
Team Bignami
The Bittel Family
Ronald and Dawne Both
Lisa and Jack Brennan
Christe Bruderlin
The Bullock Family
Dr. Alyson and Alfredo Cartagena
The Casola Family
Kathy and William Chang
Joy Chao and Jason Lee
Arpi and Bobby Charlu
Tim and Rita Chen
Julia and Lewis Cho
Vincent and Karla Chung
Cogswell Design Inc.
Dr. Gretchen and Mr. James Conroy
Kristy Crownover
CV Programs
The Dale Family
Tim and Michelle Danaher
Neeti and Sandeep Dang
Ramit and Rakhi Dayal
The Deutschman Family
The Dhanidina Family
Joe and Jessica DiPenta
DM
The Dominguez Family
Isabel Dong
Kyle and Courtney Duff
Malisa and Kanwal Duggal
The Elder Family
Dr. & Mrs. Gregory and Lisa Endelman
The Engle Family
Julia Feldman and Ryan Malone
Sally and Dan Fleet
Laura Forbes and Mike Huntley
Luke and Betsy Freiler
Lamia Gabal and Charlie Wilcoxson
Kim Gangnes
Byron and Raquel Gillen
The Goodemote Family
The Gourley Family
Apra and Rahul Gupta
Mala and Neeraj Gupta
Brandi and Javier Gutierrez
Jason and Stacy Gwin
Sameena and Ali Habib
Aurora He
The Herman Family
Jason and Jessica Herthel
Stacey and Justin Hill
Andy and Gracie Hinton
Scott Holty and Emilie Albert
Angela Huang
Cindy Hughes and Paul Schmidhauser
The Idriss Family
Ivie-Valle Family - IN This House Love Rules
Jenii Jacobson
Jennie Johanson-Maya and Sal Maya
Angela Kent
David and Sara Kerrane
Andrew and Chinyee Keyoung
Annu Khemka and Maneesh Goyal
Karen Kim and Spencer Ho
Kevin and Kelly Kelley
Barbara and Keith Kuntz
Jason and Susan Lai
Cheryl and Michael Laven
Rosemarie and Michael Le Coz
My Lee
The Lee Family
Scott and Susan Lee
The Liu Family
Debbie and Bonaparte Liu
Kevin and Louise Lloyd
The Ly-Pang Family
Jay and Danielle Madison
Molly Mahoney and John Dominguez
Paul and Sherry Main
Greg McCollum and Jeff Van Hoosear
Paul Mendoza
Maeesha Merchant and Gaurav Diwan
Val and Larry Miles
Jessica Miley and Alejandro Brubaker
The Mitras
Olga, Geoff, and Avery Mizrahi
Moon’s Family
Yvonne Naranjo
Tita Nguyen and Michael Le
Niu Family of FTV
The Oh Family
The Ortiz Family
Molly Ortwein
Rosemarie Paguirigan-Steiner and Don Steiner
Jim and Allison Panetta
The Parekh Shah Family
Oscar and Jessica Parra
The Passalacqua Family
The Pennor Family
Peters Architecture Inc.
The Pivar-Escobedo Family
Rakesh and Ami Puvvada
The Ransford Family
Hon. Julian and Alexis Recana
Chris and Catey Reese
Mr. and Mrs. Carlos and Nancy Reyes
Savalai and Brent Ridley
Trilby and Michael Robinson-Dorn
Logan and Carol Ross
The Rossfeld Family
Melissa and Jeff Ruderman
Anna Schlotzhauer and Jim Bergman
The Schultz Family
David and Tina Sidoni
Bandana and Jolly Singh
Brad and Jennifer Smith
Karen Smith and Jay Jerrier
Mo and Vip Soni
Lisa Stevens Wegner and Jed Wegner
John and Jeannette Soumbasakis
Patryk Symchych and Ivy Wang
Kim and Bert Tavares
Elliot Tong
The Truong/Kondo Family
Mei Tsang and Steve Brown
Reagan Vallejo
Michael and Nicole Vicioso
The Vik Family
The Villanueva Family Foundation
The Vitta Kama Family
The Voros Family
Brooks and Kelly Wackerman
The Weaver Family
Courtney and Andrew Wittkop
Parents of David Wong (CW, ‘26)
Brenda Wooding and Eric Adler
Brian Yan’s Family
Michael and Manuella Yassa
Michelle and Gary Yoshino
Drs. Edward and Jinny Yun
The Zazik Family
The goal of Students First: A Capital Campaign is to create an enhanced campus environment that will benefit the entire OCSA community.
Thank you to the following individuals and organizations who have donated in support of this transformational campaign:
Acting Conservatory Families, Class of 2025
Anonymous
Julia and George Argyros
Lisa Argyros
Albert and Miaad Bushala
The Cha Family
Dr. Gretchen and Mr. James Conroy
The DeVoe Family
DevTo Support Foundation
The Dhanidina Family
The Dirk Family
El-Erian Family Foundation
Roberta Estrin
Farmers & Merchants Bank
The Garn Family
The Harold Struck Charitable Fund
Shelley and Steven Ho
The Larry and Helen Hoag Foundation
Martin and Cynthia Howard / Howard CDM
Chinyee and Dr. J. Andrew Keyoung
N&D Kim Family
Tina and Eoin Kreditor / Cleo A Bluth Charitable Foundation
Dr. Kimberley Lakes and Dr. James Kay
Cheryl and Michael Laven
Hsueh Chun Lo
The Malone Family
Jennifer and Paul Meyhoefer
Mrs. Tita Nguyen, Esq. and Dr. Michael Le
Ryan and Jin O’Grady
The Park Family
Debbie and Joe Rogoff
Samueli Foundation
Anna Schlotzhauer and Jim Bergman
Karen Smith and Jay Jerrier
The Sternshein Family
The Tioleco-Cheng Malabarba Family
Ryan and Nicole Warne-McGraw
The Wegner Family
Michelle and Gary Yoshino
Professional License Defenders
We Represent All Licensed Professionals
• Doctors
• Chiropractors
• Physical Therapists
• Nurses
2,000+
• Teachers
• Contractors
• Social Workers
• Insurance agents/brokers
Unlock Legal is a law firm that provides representation specifically to California professionals who are facing the loss of their healthcare, real estate, or other professional license—and therefore their livelihood. If your license is under threat or suspension because you have been charged with a crime, we will represent you in the state courts.
• Real Estate agents/ brokers
• and many more
If you are interested in supporting the OCSA Foundation, please reach out to Vice President of Development Elizabeth Ton at elizabeth.ton@ocsarts.net or visit www.ocsarts.net/DonateNow
Thank you to all of our OCSA families who have contributed this year through the Conservatory Funding Agreement (CFA) in support of their child’s arts conservatory experience. Your contributions specifically support conservatory salaries, facilities, equipment and supplies, performance opportunities, guest artist master teachers, and field trips.
We can’t make the OCSA magic happen without you!
Emphasizes fundamental operational skills, computational fluency, and problem-solving abilities
Integrates Algebra, Geometry, and Statistics to prepare students for both traditional and Integrated Math courses
Topics beyond our curriculum scope, such as Algebra 2, Trigonometry, or Calculus, are covered under our Homework Support program
Ideal for students needing assistance with homework, struggling with specific concepts, or preparing for tests
Offers support for higher-level Mathematics and AP courses
Sessions are student-driven, structured towards specific needs, and focus on the material students bring for support
Dependent on teacher availability and subject matter
Enhances reading fluency, higher-order analysis skills, and overall comprehension
Prioritizes development of advanced critical thinking skills to cultivate confident, proficient readers
Expands knowledge of vocabulary and word meanings
Enhances academic habits through goal setting, organizational skills, time management, and effective test-taking strategies
Strengthens active reading, listening, outlining, note-taking (including the Cornell method), and study techniques
Tailored for middle to high school demands
Provides extensive customizability to meet individual student needs effectively
Develops the five-step writing process and various writing techniques that make writing assignments more manageable
Stengthens fundamental language skills (grammar, punctuation, capitalization, and spelling) that make writing clear and accurate
Provides experience with various essay types: narrative, informative, persuasive, and research
Provides teacher-led in-depth instruction on application of best practices, key reasoning skills and test-taking strategies
Access to two student workbooks (Math, English) which provide instruction on test concepts and features, homework, and mixed review practice
Access to SylvanPrep.com, an individualized online component, for one full year
Access to multiple full length practice tests which mimic the conditions of a real test
*SylvanPrep.com can be used as a standalone self-led program (Sylvan Prep Online) *Sylvan Insight Assessment is required for enrollment*
Nurturing, Healing & Resilience
Compassionate, specialized medical evaluation and management of eating disorders and body image concerns for kids, teens and young adults.
O erings:
Medical evaluation and management of eating disorders
Body image curriculum
Parent education presentations
Body image workshop for adults
Contact: Usha Ganesan, MD 949.229.5964 17541 Irvine Blvd, Suite E, Tustin, CA 92780
www.beyondthereflection.com beyondthereflection@gmail.com
Pendry Newport Beach is proud to be a sponsor of the Orange County School of the
The Hearts for the Arts campaign provides additional support for arts conservatory needs beyond each conservatory’s annual budget. Donations help to fund special equipment and supplies, performances, field trips, and other arts enrichment opportunities for our talented OCSA students.
The Artist Scholar Sponsorship Program supports economically disadvantaged students who attend OCSA. Donations help to fund the arts conservatory portion of their school day and ensure they have access to the full OCSA experience, including yearbooks, technology, school supplies, and more.
The Master Artist Series supports high-profile visiting artists who create meaningful experiences for our student artists. Donations help to bring master artists and industry leaders to OCSA’s campus to share their career stories and expertise with students through residencies, master classes, lectures, and performances.
CSArts Academy offers extracurricular arts courses to student artists of various ages from throughout the community. Join us for fun and rewarding classes in the fall, spring, or summer!
FALL SATURDAY SERIES
Classes begin September 21, 2024
Registration opens in late August
SPRING SATURDAY SERIES
FALL SATURDAY SERIES SPRING
SPRING
Classes begin February 22, 2025
Registration opens in January
Classes begin July 7, 2025
Registration opens in January
Promote your business at a specific conservatory performance or throughout the entire conservatory season! Hear your company’s name announced from the stage, promote your brand to a loyal target audience, and receive complimentary tickets!
$2,500 PER CONSERVATORY PERFORMANCE SEASON
BENEFITS
•Recognition in conservatory-specific promotional materials and communications
•Customized speech from the stage at select performances in your conservatory’s season*
•Two (2) complimentary tickets to each performance** in your conservatory’s season
•Recognition on OCSA’s Digital Donor Wall in the Tower Lobby, Center for the Arts Lobby, and DMS Lobby
$1,000 PER SPECIFIC CONSERVATORY PERFORMANCE
BENEFITS
•Recognition in conservatory-specific promotional materials and communications
•Customized speech from the stage at your selected conservatory performance*
•Two (2) complimentary tickets to your selected conservatory performance**
•Recognition on OCSA’s Digital Donor Wall in the Tower Lobby, Center for the Arts Lobby, and DMS Lobby
PROCEEDS WILL DIRECTLY SUPPORT THE CONSERVATORY OF YOUR CHOICE!
To view a list of upcoming performances, please visit www.ocsarts.net/BoxOffice.
*Also applicable to conservatory-specific events.
**Some exclusions may apply, including special events and performances at outside venues.
Support from businesses directly impacts the transformational education and creative opportunities provided for our students.
Current OCSA Families: Please note that donations from businesses to this campaign cannot be allocated toward your Conservatory Funding Agreement (CFA). All OCSA families are encouraged to contribute the requested amount toward their child’s conservatory through the CFA prior to supporting other OCSA initiatives.
To secure your Spotlight Sponsorship, please contact Greg McCollum, Director of Corporate & Business Relations, at gregory.mccollum@ocsarts.net or 714.560.0900 ext. 6616
Orange County School of the Arts (OCSA) proudly offers a wide range of professional-level performance groups comprised of inspiring student artists from the school’s many arts conservatories. Make your private, corporate, or charity function more special by featuring a select group of OCSA’s bright and talented students!
Our extensive variety of repertoire is completely customizable. Choose the group that best meets the needs of your event and budget!
Ballet folklórico dancers
Ballroom dancers
Classical singers
Commercial dancers
Instrumental musicians
MONTAGE! performance ambassadors
CATERING SERVICES
We cater to your needs! Let our talented high school students and their world-class chef instructors make your gathering an event to remember.
Are you or someone you love struggling to overcome obstacles, achieve balance, or lead a more fulfilling life?
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Our highly accomplished psychiatrists provide personalized, comprehensive and compassionate care to adolescents and adults.
We work with our patients to treat emotional issues, identify and address academic challenges, overcome performance obstacles, and work to enhance positive coping strategies and improve resilience.
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Design, Permitting, Construction, Tenant Management - We do it all!
CNH KIWIN’S (California, Nevada, Haiwaii), similar to its KEY CLUB counterparts, is an student-led club that stretches among multiple schools, including OCSA. This club promotes a sense of community and allows students easy access to various COMMUNITY SERVICE events. Students can learn to strengthen skills such as LEADERSHIP, collaborating with others, and can learn the significance of supporting your community. This looks great on COLLEGE APPLICATIONS, especially since joining this club can open up opportunities for SCHOLARSHIPS, AWARDS, and NETWORKING.
ZOEY ZIEN, CA&H ‘27 CLUB PRESIDENT zoey.zien@ocsarts.net
“CHILDREN: THEIR FUTURE, OUR FOCUS, LIVE2LEARN”
One of CNH KIWIN’S major focuses/service events puts emphasis on students promoting education and literacy, focused on youth, ages 5-9. This is just one of the many community service opportunities strengthening students’ connection with their area.
✓ Low teacher:child ratios
✓ Child-centered, emergent, engaging curriculum
✓ Inclusive & integrated learning environments
✓ Strong image of the child
✓ Highly trained teaching team
Currently serving children ages 3 to 5 years old
California State Preschool
•Reduced family fees for qualifying families
•Part-Day Program Sites:
•Commonwealth Elementary
•Hermosa Drive Elementary
•Maple Elementary School
•Orangethorpe Elementary
•Pacific Drive Elementary
•Woodcrest Elementary
•Full-Day/Full-Year Program Sites:
•Richman Elementary
•Valencia Park Elementary
Fee-Based Preschool
•Part-Day Program Sites:
•Beechwood Elementary
•Sunset Lane Elementary
•Full-Day Program Site:
•Sunset Lane Elementary
Fullerton School District
Educational Services
Preschool Program
714-447-7499
https://www.fullertonsd.org/preschool
Accepting Intents to register TK through 8th grade
Spanish and English Dual Immersion 90/10 Model
Korean and English Dual Immersion 50/50 Model Read, write, and communicate effectively
Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Math (STEAM) 21st Century Learning Skills, Cross-cultural competencies
FOR MORE INFORMATION: 714-447-7416 / FULLERTON_DLA@MYFSD.ORG OR VISIT: FULLERTONSD.ORG/PAGE/2468