Unveiling the Shigemi Matsumoto Recital Hall

  • Shigemi Matsumoto and CSUN President Erika D. Beck outside the newly renamed Shigemi Matsumoto Recital Hall at CSUN.

    On May 13, CSUN unveiled the newly renamed Shigemi Matsumoto Recital Hall to recognize renowned opera star Shigemi Matsumoto and her husband, business executive Marty Stark. Here, Matsumoto poses with CSUN President Erika D. Beck. Photo by David J. Hawkins.

  • “Shigemi and Marty's longtime support, including scholarships and funds to ensure the recital hall continues to look and sound world class, enables our students to pursue their own passions, develop their own talents and share their gifts with the world,” CSUN President Erika D. Beck said as the university renamed the Mike Curb College of Arts, Media, and Communication recital hall in honor of support from Shigemi Matsumoto and her husband, Marty Stark. “Shigemi and Marty, and all of the lives that they touch, are making the world a brighter, more inclusive and beautiful home for all of us.” From left to right: music students Dongmin Byeon and Pauline Tamale, who both performed in the newly named recital hall; Shigemi Matsumoto; President Beck; and Marty Stark. Photo by David J. Hawkins.

  • Shigemi Matsumoto '68 and her husband, Marty Stark, stand by the plaque commemorating their contributions to the newly named Shigemi Matsumoto Recital Hall at CSUN.

    Shigemi Matsumoto '68 and her husband, Marty Stark, stand by the plaque commemorating their contributions to the newly named Shigemi Matsumoto Recital Hall at CSUN. Photo by David J. Hawkins.

  • Mike Curb College of Arts, Media, and Communication Dean Dan Hosken presents Shigemi Matsumoto with a miniature plaque outside the Shigemi Matsumoto Recital Hall at CSUN.

    The Shigemi Matsumoto Recital Hall is "the creative incubator where faculty, staff and students come together as a community to share the gift of music," said Mike Curb College of Arts, Media, and Communication Dean Dan Hosken. "It's one of the first places that new students see as their welcome to the department and the place where, years later, they can demonstrate their exceptional talent as nurtured and developed by our faculty, including Shigemi." Here, Hosken presents Shigemi Matsumoto with a miniature plaque commemorating the support of Matsumoto and her husband, Marty Stark, at the naming ceremony for the Shigemi Matsumoto Recital Hall at CSUN. Photo by David J. Hawkins.

  • Shigemi Matsumoto gives remarks in the recital hall now named for her.

    Shigemi Matsumoto's heartfelt remarks honored everyone who supported her on her journey to musical stardom. The Shigemi Matsumoto Recital Hall "is a tribute not just to me, but to all the people who have inspired me and helped me to achieve my dreams," she said. Photo by David J. Hawkins.

  • Edward Tavalin sings while other singers wave colorful fabric.

    Seven current and former students under Shigemi Matsumoto performed to celebrate the naming of the recital hall in her honor. Here, baritone Edward Tavalin, who is pursuing a master's in vocal performance, performs "Votre Toast" (Toreador song) from "Carmen" by Georges Bizet. Photo by David J. Hawkins.

  • Shigemi Matsumoto poses with family members at the naming ceremony for the Shigemi Matsumoto Recital Hall at CSUN.

    Shigemi Matsumoto posed with family members at the naming ceremony for the Shigemi Matsumoto Recital Hall at CSUN. Photo by David J. Hawkins.

  • Shigemi Matsumoto receives roses from performers.

    Shigemi Matsumoto received roses at the close of performances to celebrate the newly named recital hall. Photo by David J. Hawkins.

Shigemi Matsumoto’s parents, Moriichi and Suki Matsumoto, were Japanese immigrants and entrepreneurs who had to start over after they were interned during World War II. They sacrificed for their daughter’s arts education — her mother sold her kimonos and jewelry to pay for ballet and singing lessons.

Shigemi Matsumoto‘s name now graces the primary recital hall in CSUN’s Mike Curb College of Arts, Media, and Communication, in Cypress Hall, recognizing the philanthropic and educational contributions of Matsumoto and her husband, business executive Marty Stark. The Shigemi Matsumoto Recital Hall is a celebration of everyone who helped her achieve her dreams, she said at the naming ceremony and unveiling of the new signage May 13.

“This will honor the name of my parents in perpetuity,” said Matsumoto ’68 (Music), a world-renowned soprano. “I am overwhelmed with gratitude and emotions to have this recital hall named after me. It is an incredible honor and one that will be cherished by me for the rest of my life.”

Matsumoto and Stark, who met at CSUN, have a long history of support for the university.

After graduating from CSUN’s music program in 1968, Matsumoto launched an international professional singing career spanning more than two decades, starting with a stint at the highly acclaimed San Francisco Opera. She has performed with over 50 opera companies and symphony orchestras and has given more than 300 recitals worldwide. For more than 35 years, she has trained future generations of classical singers while teaching at several universities, including CSUN.

Several of Matsumoto’s current and former students performed at the ceremony highlighting her impact, which continues to resonate through new generations of blossoming talent.

Stark’s influential career included stints as vice president of Columbia Artists Management, Inc. (CAMI), an international management consultant, and mentor to many startup companies. He regularly contributes his time to CSUN’s David Nazarian College of Business and Economics.

Their gift to CSUN ensures the vitality of the recital hall, which is home to about 150 performances each academic year.

“It is my hope that the Shigemi Matsumoto Recital Hall will become a place where young musicians can come to learn, to grow and to be inspired to pursue their own passions,” Matsumoto said.

The impact of the couple’s gift was amplified through the CSUN Foundation’s Matador Match Challenge for 2022, which providing matching funds for eligible portions of the gift.

, , , , , , ,