2019
CONNECT & reCONNECT WOLF TRAP FOUNDATION BOARD ALUMNI AND ASSOCIATES BOARD ALUMNI NEWSLETTER
GREETINGS! 2019 has been a remarkable year of record-setting performances and fundraising, as well as a strengthening of strategic priorities. The year sees the Foundation in a healthy financial position while also continuing to grow our critical mission-based education and opera programs. Of great significance was signing a new 20-year partnership agreement with the National Park Service. Unanimously approved by the Board of Directors, the new agreement strengthens the organization and provides new opportunities to align the Foundation’s partnership with the National Park Service. Stand-out performances from artists ranging from Sting at the Filene Center and Toots and the Maytals at The Barns, to The Okee Dokee Brothers at Children’s Theatre-in-the-Woods brought the joy of live music to arts lovers young and young at heart. Wolf Trap Opera (WTO) continues to go from strength to strength under the new leadership of Lee Anne Myslewski. This year was extraordinary with four staged and two concert operas. And, with the recently released recording of Philip Glass’ The Fall of the House of Usher and
online streaming of opera productions, WTO is not only grooming the best singers of tomorrow, but is extending the performance experience to new audiences across the globe. Wolf Trap Institute for Early Learning Through the Arts continues to increase our footprint domestically and around the world. You’ll read more about these and many other accomplishments in the coming pages. Few things in life have the power to bring people together like the arts. I thank you for your continued support of Wolf Trap Foundation’s mission, ensuring that the arts and arts education thrive today and into the future.
Warmest regards,
Arvind Manocha President and CEO
Grants for High School Performing Arts Teachers performance and reception
Taking Arts Education By Storm 2019 was a banner year for Wolf Trap’s education programs, which now reach 100,000 children, teachers, and caregivers annually. From participating in an opening session at one of the world’s foremost education conferences, SXSW EDU in Austin, TX, to bringing on its first international affiliate in Singapore and 21st affiliate in Chattanooga, TN, Wolf Trap Education is a growing and influential voice in early learning and arts education. Wolf Trap Institute leadership participated in high-profile conferences in New Orleans and South Korea. The Institute also trained 80 new Teaching Artists in 2019 to address growing community needs.. These talented professionals will be deployed to support the continued professional development of early childhood educators across the D.C. region and around the country. The Institute’s reach in Virginia grew with the opening of Greater Richmond Wolf Trap in 2018, and continued with the expansion of services to public school districts in Albemarle, Henrico, and Suffolk counties. Wolf Trap’s arts-integrated education method is also active in libraries and home to Baby Artsplay!®. Collaboration with PBS’ popular Pinkalicious & Peterrific series ensures that Wolf Trap’s research-based and proven methods for arts-integrated learning are available to everyone. Also new this year, D.C.-area High School Performing Arts Teacher grantees and their students performed their works on The Barns’ stage, and Children’s Theatre-in-theWoods performances expanded to include artist-driven post-performance workshops for children and families. Learn the full scope of Wolf Trap’s education programs and activities at wolftrap.org/education and follow us on Twitter at @WolfTrap_EDU.
L. to R.: Akua Kouyate-Tate, Kantara Souffrant, Melissa Carlson, and Kofi Dennis at SXSW EDU
Pamela Northam at the legislative event in Richmond
ARTISTIC HIGHLIGHTS FROM 2019 The Barns
Filene Center
After completing renovations in late 2018 at The Barns at Wolf Trap, 2019 featured electrifying performances by legendary artists including Graham Nash, John Oates of Hall & Oates fame, Buena Vista Social Club’s Omara Portuondo, pianist George Winston, The Silkroad Ensemble, Ronnie Spector & The Ronettes, and Broadway’s leading ladies Linda Eder, Laura Benanti, and Sutton Foster.
Kicking off the 2019 summer season with a three-night capacity run, Americana rockers The Avett Brothers set the stage for an astounding summer season with the return of Sting, Ringo Starr, Lenny Kravitz, Lionel Richie, Earth, Wind & Fire, and more. Dynamic Grammy “Album of the Year” winner Kacey Musgraves, iconic rapper Nas, rocker Sammy Hagar, and Stray Cats led a large pack of debut artists who had audiences dancing in the aisles. Fans were thrilled by three nights of American Ballet Theatre’s Swan Lake, including one with Misty Copeland. NPR’s news quiz show Wait, Wait… Don’t Tell Me! welcomed special guests celebrity chef José Andrés and world renowned soprano Renée Fleming.
Wolf Trap welcomed internationally acclaimed pianist Wu Han back as Artistic Advisor for Chamber Music at The Barns. Programming included performances by The Montrose Trio, St. Lawrence String Quartet, and Escher String Quartet. Featured guest artists included cellist David Finckel, guitarist Jason Vieaux, and pianist Jeffrey Kahane. Wolf Trap Opera joined forces with Washington Concert Opera for the rarely performed Le vin herbé by Frank Martin. Former and current Filene Artists returned for two performances of a contemporary retelling of the Tristan and Isolde legend.
The Middle East’s most famous dance troupe Caracalla Dance Theatre, China’s internationally prominent Shanghai Symphony Orchestra, and artists like Farruko, Rodrigo y Gabriela, UB40, and the Gipsy Kings brought global flair to the summer season.
Opera and Classical Wolf Trap Opera’s 2019 season offered an impressive lineup that included a rollicking commedia dell’arte production of Rossini’s The Barber of Seville, an enthralling production of Strauss’ Ariadne auf Naxos, and a double bill of rare operas—Gluck’s hilarious Merlin’s Island and Ullmann’s riveting The Emperor of Atlantis. Celebrating his 25th anniversary at Wolf Trap, Steven Blier launched the season with two exceptional evenings featuring Wolf Trap’s Filene Artists. From start to finish, the season—including UNTRAPPED performances of Ravel’s L’heure espagnole and Gershwin’s Porgy and Bess: A Concert of Songs at The Clarice Smith Performing Arts Center, two Vocal Colors performances at The Philips Collection, and a Master Class by Wolf Trap Opera’s Filene Artist in Residence and renowned Rossinian tenor Lawrence Brownlee—was praised by The Washington Post, Opera News, OperaGene, and more. National Symphony Orchestra (NSO) Music Director Gianandrea Noseda made his Filene Center debut conducting Tchaikovsky and Beethoven. Other NSO evenings at Wolf Trap featured appearances by “Weird Al” Yankovic, Sarah McLachlan, and Jennifer Hudson. The NSO’s film series rounded out the season with presentations of Disney Pixar’s Coco: in Concert Live to Film, E.T the Extra-Terrestrial in Concert, and Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire™ in Concert.
PHILANTHROPIC HIGHLIGHTS Record-Breaking Ball
Leaving A Legacy
The 2019 Wolf Trap Ball was the most successful event in the Foundation’s history—raising more than $1.7 million. The September gala welcomed 750 guests celebrating the Foundation’s first international Institute affiliate, Singapore Wolf Trap. Singaporean Ambassador Ashok Mirpuri and wife Gouri Mirpuri, served as honorary hosts for the evening. Guests from philanthropic, business, and government circles enjoyed dinner and dancing on the spectacular Filene Center stage. U.S. Secretary of the Interior David Bernhardt delivered congratulatory remarks during the evening’s program. The Ball was co-chaired by Patrick and Annie Pacious and Srikant Sastry and Manjula Pindiprolu.
The annual Legacy Circle Dinner in April was an opportunity to thank donors who have made a commitment to Wolf Trap in their estate plans. An elegant dinner was followed by performances from Wolf Trap Opera alumni Alexandria Shiner and Alexander McKissick, accompanied by Christopher Koelzer, and a behind-thescenes peek at the world of Wolf Trap Opera by Lee Anne Myslewski made for a memorable evening.
Support Arts and Education All Year Long Ensure the vision of Mrs. Shouse— to harness the power of the arts for the benefit of the community— continues to make a difference to countless lives. Please consider making a donation to Wolf Trap by visiting wolftrap.org/give or calling 703.255.1927.
To learn more about the Catherine Filene Shouse Legacy Circle, please call 703.255.1930 or visit wolftrap.org/legacy.
MEMBERSHIP HIGHLIGHTS We ♥ Our Members Membership continues to grow and provide a strong base for all Wolf Trap programs. In addition to making donations, more than 9,400 members supported the Foundation in 2019 by purchasing 20% of total tickets sold, participating in more than a dozen member events, and contributing thousands of hours of service. Members who first joined in 1990 or earlier were feted at the Foundation’s An Evening of Thanks in July. In celebration of their long-time involvement at Wolf Trap, guests dined al fresco and were treated to a riveting National Symphony Orchestra classical program featuring the Wolf Trap debuts of NSO’s Music Director, Gianandrea Noseda and renowned guest violinist Ning Feng. Want to learn more? Visit wolftrap.org/membership.
LEADERSHIP HIGHLIGHTS Reunited, and It Feels So Good The annual summer Joint Board & Alumni Dinner welcomed 150 current and former board members who caught up on the latest news from the Foundation over dinner, followed by an infectious performance by guitar duo Rodrigo y Gabriela.
L. to R.: Arvind Manocha and Bryan Swann, Arvind Manocha and Theresa Wood at the Volunteer Appreciation Dinner
Calling All Volunteers More than 140 donors supported Wolf Trap Foundation in 2019 by volunteering a combined total of 7,500 hours of their time to assist at the Filene Center, The Barns, and Foundation offices. At the annual Volunteer Appreciation Dinner, volunteers were recognized for their service, including Bryan Swann, who was recognized as Volunteer of the Year and Theresa Wood, who has been archiving Mrs. Shouse’s personal and professional papers, and was recognized with a Special Commendation for her years of service. Want to learn more? Visit wolftrap.org/volunteer.
In Memoriam Recently sighted at the November 7 Foundation Board meeting—Director Emeritus the Hon. Norman Y. Mineta, Former Secretary of Transportation, and Arvind Manocha
L. to R.: Marge and Phil Odeen, Ashok Kaveeshwar, Marcia Carlucci, and Stuti Kaveeshwar at the Legacy Circle Dinner
Wolf Trap Ball guests were treated to touches of Singapore on the Filene Center stage
The following Wolf Trap Foundation Board of Directors alumni passed away in 2019, and we remember them with great appreciation: Mortimer M. Caplin, Stanley Collender, Marion Edwyn Harrison, and Wayne V. Shelton.
SAVE THE DATES
STAY CONNECTED
OLF TRAP OPERA FIRST LOOK* W SAT, FEBRUARY 1, 2020 CENTER FOR EDUCATION
You are important to Wolf Trap, and we want to stay in touch. To ensure that we are able to reach you with invitations and the most up-to-date information, please contact Megan Wakeman, Executive Assistant, at 703.255.4043 or meganw@wolftrap.org with your contact information.
2020 WINE AT WOLF TRAP SAT, MARCH 7, 2020 THE BARNS AT WOLF TRAP LEGACY CIRCLE DINNER* WED, APRIL 29, 2020 THE BARNS AT WOLF TRAP SUMMER SEASON KICKOFF* SAT, MAY 16, 2020 WOLF TRAP NATIONAL PARK JOINT BOARD AND ALUMNI DINNER FRI, JUNE 5, 2020 ASSOCIATES DECK WOLF TRAP NATIONAL PARK *Wolf Trap members only
STAY IN TOUCH Arvind Manocha President and CEO arvindm@wolftrap.org 703.255.4043
Margaret Berardelli Director, Annual Giving margaretb@wolftrap.org 703.255.1929
Megan Wakeman Executive Assistant meganw@wolftrap.org 703.255.4043
Annie Coppola Director, Planned Giving anniec@wolftrap.org 703.255.1930
Beth Brummel Chief Operating Officer bethb@wolftrap.org 703.255.1920
Andrea Edwards Director, Corporate and Foundation Relations andreae@wolftrap.org 703.255.1955
Sara Jaffe Vice President, Development saraj@wolftrap.org 703.255.1937
STAY IN-THE-LOOP Share your favorite moments on Instagram @Wolf_Trap Check in, get up-to-date information at facebook.com/ WolfTrapOfficialPage Sign up for email updates at wolftrap.org/email ollow us on Twitter F @Wolf_Trap
1645 Trap Road | Vienna, VA 22182 www.wolftrap.org CONNECT & reCONNECT is published by Wolf Trap Foundation for the Performing Arts, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization.
Lisa Herzog Director, Leadership Giving lisah@wolftrap.org 703.255.4094
Wolf Trap Opera’s newest CD, Philip Glass’ The Fall of the House of Usher, based on Edgar Allan Poe’s famous horror story, was recently released. Premiering in 1988, the opera has been one of Glass’ most popular, yet had never been recorded. The original 2017 Wolf Trap cast, including conductor Joseph Li and musicians from Inscape Chamber Orchestra, reunited to create this wonderfully atmospheric recording. For the original production, The Washington Post wrote, “The Fall of the House of Usher is a virtuoso exercise in setting and sustaining a tremulous mood. Jonas Hacker (Roderick Usher) was given a star turn, and he produced a character racked by anxiety and anguish. Joseph Li conducting the Inscape Chamber Orchestra preformed smoothly and with impressive command of Glass’ iterative idiom.” Visit allaccess.wolftrap.org to learn more, or to purchase your copy.