Greetings from the Oakland Symphony Education Department October 2022
I hope the 2022-23 school year has been off to an amazing start.
I am excited to introduce to myself to many of you for the first time as Diane Lang, Director of Education and Social Impact for the Oakland Symphony.
For others I look forward to becoming reacquainted as I have been a school principal in local school districts including Oakland & Emery Unified School Districts.
I am inspired by the opportunity to couple my passion for the arts, culture and music with my experience as a public school educator.
As a member of the Oakland Symphony's senior leadership team I oversee the organization’s education programming and community engagement, as well as the in-school and after-school MUSE mentoring teaching artist, Bridge program, Young People’s Concerts and Hall Pass Program.
Joining this team I intend to promote student achievement and self discovery through foundational skills development and knowledge for lifelong success. My focus includes centering Oakland Title 1 schools and identifying music education programs to improve outcomes for students.
At the end of this newsletter you will find a survey for educators, created to learn more about music and arts education at your school sites and how the Oakland Symphony can support your site plan for student achievement.
I look forward to working together.
In Community,
Diane Lang
Omid Zoufonoun Youth Orchestra Director
Omid Zoufonoun is a conductor, guitarist, educator, and award-winning composer. His concert commissions aim to blend his Persian musical heritage, learned under the guidance of his father, Ostad Mahmoud Zoufonoun, with western practices of counterpoint, harmony, and orchestration. Recent commissions include a Cello Sonata for the duet Martha & Monica, a guitar octet for the Guitar Foundation of America, a choral setting of four Rumi poems for Pacific Edge Voices, and a four-movement orchestral work for the Oakland Symphony Youth Orchestra. Zoufonoun conducted the premiere of this latter work at the Scottish Rite Temple in Oakland, and a professional première followed by Oakland Symphony, under the direction of Maestro Michael Morgan. As conductor, Zoufonoun’s recent recording of Bill Horvitz’ suite, A Long Walk, was featured as an Editor’s Pick in Downbeat magazine.
Beth Vandervennet MUSE Program Manager
Elizabeth Vandervennet is a professional cellist and teaching artist in the San Francisco Bay Area.
She received a Bachelor of Musical Arts from the University of Michigan where she studied applied cello with Jeff Solow, Nina DeVeritch, and Jerome Jelinek. Upon graduation she received high honors in Music Theory as well as a Minor in Arts Administration. Her Master of Music in Cello Performance from Carnegie Mellon University was obtained under the guidance of Anne Martindale-Williams, the Principal Cellist of the Pittsburgh Symphony. Elizabeth currently lives in Oakland California as an active freelance musician, teaching artist, creative collaborator, composer, and advocate for arts education. She is a member of the Oakland Symphony, Santa Rosa Symphony, Marin Symphony, and Principal Cellist in Vallejo Symphony. Elizabeth’s chamber music posts include: cellist of Squid Inc, string quartet, and Rosin Coven, theatrical Pagan Lounge ensemble. In additional to teaching throughout the community of Oakland, she held the post of Education Coordinator for the Oakland Symphony’s MUSE (MUSic for Excellence.) program from 2011-2018 and has transitioned to current post of Lead Teaching Artist. She was the recipient of the 2016 Ford Musician Award for excellence in community service.
Meghan Hildebrand Operations and Youth Orchestra Coordinator
Dr. Mieko Hatano Executive Director of the Oakland Symphony KALW interview- listen here!
Teaching Artist Spotlight: Featuring the honorable Tarika Lewis
Ms. Lewis is recognized as the first woman to join the Oakland Black Panther Party for self defense.
What a gift to sit alongside local revolutionaries.
Our students are fortunate to have her artistic leadership!
Discounted Oakland Symphony Concert Tickets for Oakland Unified School District employees and students!
The Oakland Symphony welcomes all OUSD and neighboring district students and staff to attend concerts this season.
To show our ongoing appreciation for the critical work teachers, administrators, community school managers, counselors, librarians, custodians, office and attendance clerks, paraprofessionals, tutors, yard duty supervisors, food service workers, nurses, volunteers and others do within our schools we are offering $10 concert tickets, available using the discount code below:
This code applies to Orchestra Front Rows A - P and Orchestra Rear Rows AA - UU
2 tickets per order
Discount Code: OUSD102223
Tickets will be emailed.
Purchase using the discount code online at:
https://eastbayperformingarts.secure.force.com/ticket#/
IF YOU ARE A TITLE 1 SCHOOL EMPLOYEE CONTACT US DIRECTLY IF YOU DO NOT YET HAVE YOUR TITLE 1 DISCOUNT CODE
I hope to see many of you at a concert this season!
Markham Elementary School MUSE Stringendo Students
Oakland Symphony is on social media!
Email: dlang@oaklandsymphony.org
Website: oaklandsymphony.org
Location: 1440 Broadway #405, Oakland, CA 94612
Phone: (510) 274-6364
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/OakSym
Twitter: @OakSym