Member Spotlight:

Mozart Classical Orchestra

The Mozart Classical Orchestra was founded by Music Director and Conductor Ami Porat on Mozart’s birthday anniversary on January 27, 1980. In the years since, they have received critical acclaim from both the press, including the Los Angeles Times and Orange County Register, and their loyal audiences, alike. 

Porat was awarded degrees from the Rubin Academy in Tel Aviv, USC and Julliard. His extensive background as a performer has included playing in orchestras throughout the United States, Europe and South America. Porat worked under a number of legendary conductors, including Leonard Bernstein and Carlo Maria Giullini, among many others. He also conducted his own chamber group in New York City. 

The Mozart Classical Orchestra has performed in the Segerstrom Center for the Arts and Irvine Barclay Theatre, in addition to spending 16 seasons performing in Newport Beach. Their current home is the Artists Theatre in Laguna Beach. 

The group’s upcoming concert takes place on Sunday, January 22 at 3:00 p.m., and features violinist Isabella Lippi, who made her public debut with the Chicago Symphony Orchestra at the age of 10. Currently the Concertmaster of the Elgin Symphony Orchestra, Lippi has been called “a standout, even among virtuosos.”

Read more here.

New Leader Announced

The Choral Arts Initiative has named Kyrstin Ohta as its first Managing Director as part of a continued capacity-building effort. Founding Artistic Director Brandon Elliott, who dually serves as the organization’s Executive Director, made the recommendation as part of a two-year strategy to separate the Artistic and Executive Director roles into two distinct positions. 

Read more here.

Latinx Leadership Institute Accepting Applications

The National Association of Latino Arts and Cultures open call for applications for the 2023 NALAC Leadership Institute will open on January 11. The Institute is an immersive, week-long arts leadership and professional development program for Latinx artists, arts administrators and cultural workers representing all media or disciplines. 

For information about the National Association of Latino Arts and Cultures, visit https://www.nalac.org/about/

For information about the Institute, contact Mari Hernandez at mhernandez@nalac.org

Tickets are Free for ArtsOC's

Creative Edge Lecture Featuring NEA Chair

Photo by David K. Riddick

Arts Orange County will present a live, in person talk by National Endowment for the Arts Chair Dr. Maria Rosario Jackson as its 13th Creative Edge Lecture on Tuesday, February 7, 2023 at 10:00 a.m. in the Irvine Barclay Theatre.

Admission to the lecture is free of charge thanks to the generosity of sponsors, but reservations are required through the Irvine Barclay Theatre ticket office. The Creative Edge Lecture is presented in partnership with the Orange County Department of Education and the 4th District PTA.

For reservations, visit: https://www.thebarclay.org/buy-tickets/2022-2023-events/13th-annual-creative-edge-lecture.html

Día del Niño Applications Being Accepted

Proposals are now being accepted for both performers and artists offering hands-on youth art workshops for Arts Orange County's and Media Arts Santa Ana's annual Día del Niño. The event is a partnership with Imaginology and the OC Fair & Event Center, and is part of Imagination Celebration. To submit your application, visit www.ocdiadelnino.org

We acknowledge with respect our presence on the ancestral lands of the Juaneño Band of Mission Indians - Acjachemen Nation and the Tongva People.