NOTE FROM OUR PRESIDENT & CEO
RACHEL S. MOORE They say, “the third time’s the charm,” and, with the return of Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater for its third year of an exclusive Southern California residency at The Music Center, I know that will be especially true. Welcome to The Music Center’s Dorothy Chandler Pavilion as we continue our 2025/2026 dance season with this extraordinary company. I’m so pleased you’re here. We are also very excited to welcome Alicia Graf Mack, who is leading her inaugural season as Ailey’s artistic director—only the fourth person to hold this role. She stands on the shoulders of three remarkable leaders and, most notably, Ailey’s first woman artistic director, Artistic Director Emerita Judith Jamison, whose towering influence shaped generations of artists and audiences alike. It was Ms. Jamison who first brought Ms. Graf Mack into the company as a dancer and championed her artistry, creating a powerful throughline of mentorship, vision and continuity that resonates throughout this residency. Like The Music Center, Ms. Graf Mack’s commitment to both artistic excellence and arts learning runs deep. Prior to stepping into this role, she served as dean and director of the dance division at The Juilliard School, guiding and inspiring the next generation of dance artists. We are proud that our Ailey residency extends far beyond the stage and into our community with robust learning and participation opportunities for students, educators and older adults across Los Angeles. From a student matinee for 3,000 middle and high school students, to in-school residencies and active aging workshops, these programs embody the company’s spirit and our pledge to deepen the cultural lives of all Angelenos. We are grateful to our many partners who helped make these moments possible and ensure the impact of this residency is felt well beyond our theatre walls. I want to congratulate our wonderful colleague Martin Wechsler on his recent retirement. Martin has served as senior advisor, TMC Arts Dance Presentations, for the past five years. It’s also my pleasure to share that Celesta Billeci has joined us as principal strategic dance advisor for our dance series. Celesta has an extraordinary background in dance; she most recently ran the UCSB Arts and Lecture series, a role she held for 25 years. Looking ahead, we are thrilled to announce the return of New York City Ballet from June 24–28, 2026, in its first appearance at The Music Center in more than 20 years. These glorious performances by one of the world’s premier dance companies will feature masterpieces by George Balanchine and co-founding choreographer Jerome Robbins as well as contemporary works by Justin Peck, Tiler Peck and Christopher Wheeldon, among others. It promises to be a remarkable celebration of ballet’s past, present and future. Be sure to follow us on Facebook, Instagram, X, Bluesky and Threads (@MusicCenterLA) for news about upcoming programs—including the much-beloved return this summer of The Music Center’s Dance DTLA. We dedicate this season in memory of Glorya Kaufman, whose visionary leadership made it possible for us to share some of the world’s most celebrated dance companies with Los Angeles. My heartfelt thanks as well to the members of Center Dance Arts, founding supporter of Dance at The Music Center, for their passion and steadfast dedication. Enjoy the performance! Warmly,
Rachel S. Moore President & CEO, The Music Center
Photo by Mario de Lopez.
THE MUSIC CENTER 2025/2026 BOARD OF DIRECTORS OFFICERS
Robert J. Abernethy Chair Cary J. Lefton Darrell D. Miller Vice Chairs Rachel S. Moore President & CEO Michael J. Pagano Secretary Susan M. Wegleitner Treasurer William Taylor Assistant Treasurer and Chief Financial Officer
MEMBERS AT LARGE
Corinne Jessie Sanchez Mimi Song Johnese Spisso Michael Stockton Jason Subotky Timothy S. Wahl Jennifer M. Walske
GENERAL COUNSEL
Rollin A. Ransom
DIRECTORS EMERITI
Peter K. Barker Judith Beckmen Darrell R. Brown Ronald W. Burkle John B. Emerson ** Richard M. Ferry Bernard A. Greenberg Kent Kresa Mattie McFaddenLawson Fredric M. Roberts Richard K. Roeder Joni J. Smith Lisa Specht ** Cynthia A. Telles James A. Thomas Andrea L. Van de Kamp ** Thomas R. Weinberger Alyce de Roulet Williamson
Charlene Achki Repko Charles F. Adams William H. Ahmanson Romesh Anketell Jill C. Baldauf Phoebe Beasley Kristin Burr Dannielle Campos Alberto M. Carvalho Elizabeth Khuri Chandler Terri B. Childs Cástulo de la Rocha William E. Dolan Amy R. Forbes Greg T. Geyer Joan E. Herman Jeffrey M. Hill Jonathan B. Hodge Mary Ann Hunt-Jacobsen ** Chair Emeritus Maria Rosario Jackson Ronald D. Kaplan Current as of 3/9/26 Richard B. Kendall Lily Lee Keith R. Leonard, Jr. Kelsey N. Martin Elizabeth Michelson Cindy Miscikowski Teresita Notkin Karen Kay Platt Susan Erburu Reardon Joseph J. Rice Beverly P. Ryder Thomas L. Safran Maria S. Salinas