World-Renowned Cellist Yo-Yo Ma Headlines CSUN Gala

  • Cellist Yo-Yo Ma begins his concert at the VPAC Gala Fundraising Performance on May 6. The repertoire for the event included three popular J.S. Bach suites – No. 1 in G Major, No. 2 in D minor, and No. 6 in D Major, as well as pieces by modern classical composers Saygun and Mark O’Connor. Photo by Lee Choo.

  • CSUN President Dianne F. Harrison speaks to Yo-Yo Ma after the performance. Photo by Lee Choo.

  • World-renowned cellist Yo-Yo Ma played at the VPAC on May 6. Photo by Lee Choo.

  • David Nazarian shakes hands with music legend Smokey Robinson. Also pictured in the center are Jane and Jim Berk. Photo by Lee Choo.

  • CSUN President Dianne F. Harrison is introduced to musical legend Smokey Robinson. Photo by Lee Choo.

  • Melissa Montgomery Piening, Smokey Robinson and CSUN President Dianne F. Harrison pose for a picture before the Yo-Yo Ma Fundraiser Gala at the VPAC. Photo by Lee Choo.

  • Film director and CSUN alumnus and professor Donald Petrie speaks to CSUN President Dianne F. Harrison after the Yo-Yo Ma Fundraiser Gala at the VPAC. Photo by Lee Choo.

  • Richard Kaufman, CSUN President Dianne F. Harrison and Stewart Copeland, the drummer for Rock & Roll Hall of Fame inductees The Police, pose for a photo before the Yo-Yo Ma Fundraiser Gala at the VPAC. Photo by Lee Choo.

  • Jane and Jim Berk, CSUN professor and former Governor of Hawaii Linda Lingle and CSUN President Dianne F. Harrison speak before the Yo-Yo Ma Fundraiser Gala at the VPAC. Photo by Lee Choo.

  • From left: Ryan and Erika Lefton, Cary Lefton, Gala Committee Chair Marla Lefton, CSUN President Dr. Dianne F. Harrison, and Aaron and Megan Lefton

  • CSUN President Dianne F. Harrison and cellist Yo-Yo Ma (center) are surrounded by the team of university members and stakeholders who made the Fundraising Galas possible. Photo by Lee Choo.

  • VPAC Associate Executive Director Terrance McFarland and the VPAC’s Executive Director Thor Steingraber prepare for the Yo-Yo Ma Fundraiser Gala. Photo by Lee Choo.

  • CSUN Vice President for University Advancement Rob Gunsalus poses with Dave and Cindi Malone. Photo by Lee Choo.

  • CSUN President Dianne F. Harrison addresses the crowd at the fundraising dinner after the Yo-Yo Ma Gala at the VPAC. Photo by David Hawkins.

  • A group of 200 CSUN students entered a lottery for passes to the event. The block of tickets was underwritten by CSUN Foundation Board Chair Earl Enzer and his wife, Karen. Photo by Lee Choo.

  • The Valley Performing Arts Center provided the backdrop for Yo-Yo Ma Fundraising Gala. Photo by Lee Choo.

On May 6, one of the world’s most recognized musicians joined two more Rock & Roll Hall of Famers in the crowd when cellist Yo-Yo Ma took the stage at California State University, Northridge’s Valley Performing Arts Center for a gala benefiting the 4-year-old concert hall. In attendance were CSUN and community leaders, as well as musical legends Smokey Robinson and Stewart Copeland.

Along with acting as a fundraiser, the event also signaled the start of the 2015-16 season, the first full season planned the VPAC’s new executive director Thor Steingraber. Future events were highlighted in an exclusive keepsake program booklet that was given at the event. After the gala, there was a dinner hosted by VPAC as an additional fundraising effort. CSUN President Dianne F. Harrison spoke to the dining crowd at the start of the event.

Additionally, the packed house included more than 200 CSUN students whose tickets were generously underwritten by CSUN Foundation Board Chair Earl Enzer ’83 and his wife, Karen Enzer ’82.

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