Endowed Programs
Thor Steingraber Fund for Artistic INNOVATION
The Soraya’s programming reflects a steadfast commitment to artists who embody the highest levels of excellence and creativity, reflected in over 120 original concerts and productions in the past decade. Through the philanthropic leadership of the Nazarian family during The Soraya‘s 15th anniversary, The Soraya cemented this important work by launching the Thor Steingraber Fund for Artistic Innovation, following Steingraber’s 12-year tenure as Executive and Artistic Director. This fund will underwrite high-quality public performances that exemplify The Soraya’s artistic leadership and profile, preserving and perpetuating its commitment to new works, commissions, premieres, and major programs in scale or scope.
Thor Steingraber Fund for Artistic Innovation Supporters ($25,000)
Nazarian Family Foundation, Lead Gift
Milt & Debbie Valera, 15th Anniversary Chairs
Anonymous
Jerry & Terri Kohl
Ed Burke
Shari Tarver Behring & John Behring
Margaret Thomas
15th Anniversary Supporters ($10,000)
Tamara L. Harris
Liz Levitt-Hirsch, In Memoriam
Lena and Mark Labowe, MD
Mark and Eleanor Lainer
St. Nicholas Foundation
Audre Slater Foundation
Elizabeth Purcell
Ron and Sandy Friedman
Connie Kalt-Marco and Noah Marco, MD
Varoujan Chakarian, Ph.D.
David and Joyce Primes
Chris Sales
Carol Shubin, Ph.D.
Deirdre Larkin-Tingstrom, Smith Trust Endowment
Premier America Credit Union
Faith and Jonathan Cookler
Kathleen P. Martin
15th Anniversary Crystal Members
Neal & Rosalyn Berg
Rodney Davis & Jeffrey Baker
Mary Ditto & Frank Becker
Nancy & Michael Easterly
Bonnie Faherty & Edward Feldman
Ron & Sandy Friedman
Yvonne Green
Anonymous
Sherry Lapides
Barbara Marshall
Chuck & Laurie Mondrus
Kenneth & Barbara Nelson
Franklin & Judi Nelson
Andrea & Don Reinken
Christi Robinson
Richard Sherman
Charlene & Michael Sievers
Karen Lee & Sandy Tandler
Jolene Koester Music and Arts Education Endowment
The Soraya Arts Education program serves both K-12 students and those enrolled at CSUN with a wide variety of cultural and multi-disciplinary programs. In 2025 alone, over 15,000 students enjoyed transformative experiences, many of whom stepped into a theater for the first time.
On April 4, 2024, The Soraya celebrated an important milestone — the launch of the Jolene Koester Music and Arts Education Endowment. On the occasion, The Soraya honored the former CSUN President whose vision for The Soraya was realized in 2011 when she led the community to an auspicious opening of the Valley’s performing arts center. The fund will ensure access to arts education and live performances for generations to come, including free school matinees, in-class workshops, master classes, and campus engagement initiatives.
Jolene Koester Arts Education Supporters
$1,000,000
$15,000-$100,000
Earl & Karen Enzer
Jerry & Terri Kohl
California Community Foundation
Milton & Debbie Valera
US Bank
Laurence Gould
Manja Swanson Klimenko
Nancy Cartwright
Timothy Wahl & Julia Strickland
George & Laurie Leis
Ralph M. Parsons Foundation
Kathleen P. Martin
Mary and Jack Bayramian Internship Program
The Mary and Jack Bayramian Internship Program provide a unique opportunity for students who are interested in the business of operating a performing arts center, and the ongoing transformation of business practices to honor diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) at the Younes and Soraya Nazarian Center for the Performing Arts (The Soraya) at California State University, Northridge.