Gala

A gala evening honors the individual most responsible for The Soraya – former CSUN President Dr. Jolene Koester. Despite all odds, in the middle of a global recession, Dr. Koester moved state and local leaders and philanthropists with her vision and perseverance. In 2011, CSUN and the San Fernando Valley celebrated the accomplishment in a Grand Opening of The Soraya. Now, with more than four decades of service to higher education and the state of California, Dr. Koester returns to The Soraya to join in lifting up one of her great accomplishments – a vibrant, world-class center for the performing arts worthy of CSUN  and its surrounding communities.

For the occasion, Joshua Bell returns to The Soraya for his 9th appearance, leading Academy of St Martin in the Fields. Bell’s world travels have brought him to The Soraya more frequently than any other artist. As the foremost violinist of his generation, Bell will share the evening with Dr. Koester as an honoree, recognizing his contributions worldwide as well as his longstanding relationship here at The Soraya.

Gala Chairs Milt and Debbie Valera are passionate supporters of CSUN and education. They are members of the President’s Associates and the Heritage Society and major supporters of the journalism program, the library, The Soraya, athletics and numerous other campus programs. They are also sponsors of several University scholarships and endowments, including their endowment supporting K-12 Arts Education at The Soraya. In 2022, Milt and Debbie Valera made a transformative gift to CSUN and The Soraya naming University Hall (now Valera Hall) and The Milt and Debbie Valera Lobby at The Soraya. Milt and Debbie now honor their long-time friend Jolene Koester and Soraya regular Joshua Bell through The Soraya’s 2024 Gala.

Tickets for the Academy of St Martin in the Fields performance go on sale August 11. Individual dinner tickets will go on sale September 25. To purchase a Gala Table or learn more please contact Katherine Nicolai at katherine.nicolai@csun.edu

MAKE A CRITICAL IMPACT ON THE FUTURE OF THE SORAYA’S MOST IMPACTFUL PROGRAMS BY UNDERWRITING A PORTION OF THE GALA EVENING THROUGH AN ADDITIONAL SPONSORSHIP.

For the last decade The Soraya’s international artists and multi-disciplinary programs have been provided free to the tens-of-thousands underserved students in the San Fernando Valley, guided by these core principles: the performing arts are an essential part of the core curriculum for students of all ages; a critical piece in the development of compassionate and informed citizens; and a powerful tool in building bridges between the communities and cultures of our vibrant and diverse region. The time has come for Arts Education to be made sustainable through a major endowment. Through $2-3 million in support to The Soraya, the new Dr. Jolene Koester Arts Education Endowment Fund will support The Soraya’s K-12 Arts Education programs in perpetuity, securing the future of Arts Education at The Soraya.

To make a major gift in support of the new Dr. Jolene Koester Arts Education Endowment please contact Katherine Nicoali at katherine.nicolai@csun.edu

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