About the Moderator
“…arts leaders are emerging from galleries, theaters, and studios and landing in public leadership roles and at policy tables across America, called upon to bring a fresh perspective to important societal and economic issues.” – Thor Steingraber
Conceived by Thor Steingraber, this program reflects his longstanding commitment to fostering thoughtful conversations around the arts. Steingraber also served as moderator for the video series featured on this page prior to his transition to a new leadership role at Vivo Performing Arts Center. With more than three decades of experience leading major arts and educational institutions, he brings a unique perspective shaped by collaborations with renowned artists, large-scale cultural initiatives, and public engagement projects. A graduate of Harvard Kennedy School, he combines leadership experience with a deep understanding of the evolving role of the arts in public life.
About the Program
Leadership: admired yet elusive, essential in every field. Whether in boardrooms, classrooms, or grassroots movements, leaders are in high demand but short supply. The key to preparing the next generation of leaders may lie in an unexpected source: artists.
Artists, often unsung leaders, contribute significantly to critical leadership areas—innovation, social justice, collective action, economics, and diplomacy. The Soraya hosts 50 performances yearly, showcasing elite global artists. Some lead silently in their communities, while others are at the forefront of their fields. All draw from artistic skills—creativity, teamwork, empathy, innovation, discipline. They are voices for the voiceless, courageous and passionate.
Our Master Class series, where artists mentor students in their craft, inspired an expansion. The Soraya now aims to bring leadership sessions to all students on California’s second-largest campus. Leveraging the success of Master Classes, we want to connect students from various disciplines with artists, sharing insights applicable to engineering, business, education, and more.
The Soraya enhances CSUN’s curriculum by offering sessions where students hear firsthand leadership journeys from current industry artists. Beginning with casual artist-student discussions, we hope to evolve into artist-led classes, providing a unique CSUN perspective on leadership. Imagine the dynamic mix of CSUN students and global artists—this is the driving force behind launching the Leadership Series in the Spring Semester of 2018.
Leadership Series Highlights
Susie Garcia, the accomplished director of Las Colibrí, an all-female mariachi group hailing from Los Angeles, shared her insights as a ‘Female Trailblazer’ in the historically male-dominated landscape of music leadership. Having navigated challenges and broken barriers, Susie’s contributions were a testament to her role in reshaping the narrative within the mariachi genre and inspiring positive change.
Joshua Bell, a distinguished Grammy award-winning violinist and conductor, currently serving as the Music Director and Conductor of the globally acclaimed Academy of St Martin in the Fields chamber orchestra, shared his insights into the captivating duality of his role—providing leadership to the orchestra while simultaneously taking center stage as its lead player. His multifaceted approach and artistry contribute to the orchestra’s exceptional performances, making him a beacon in the world of classical music.
As a prominent jazz trumpeter, composer, and music educator, Terence Blanchard has been a notable figure in the world of music. Since 2000, he has taken on the role of artistic director at the Thelonious Monk Institute of Jazz. Mr. Blanchard shared his unique perspective on leadership, intertwining his roles as a social activist and a cultural influencer. His presentation emphasized the transformative power of the arts as an engine for social change, showcasing the intersection of music and advocacy in his impactful journey.