In partnership with the City of Torrance, The Torrance Cultural Arts Foundation’s mission is to enrich the community through the performing arts by providing diverse cultural, educational and entertainment experiences of the highest quality.
OUR VISION
The vision of the Torrance Cultural Arts Foundation is to connect our community through culturally enriching experiences.
THANK YOU TO THE CITY COUNCIL AND CULTURAL ARTS COMMISSION FOR THEIR CONTINUED SUPPORT OF TOCA AND THE ARTS IN THE SOUTH BAY
LAND ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
The Torrance Cultural Arts Foundation would like to acknowledge that the Armstrong Theatre is located on the traditional and ancestral territory of the Tongva people in the Swaanga Village. We ask you to join us in acknowledging the Tongva community, their elders both past and present, as well those of future generations. www.tongvapeople.com
Welcome to Our 2025–2026 Season
Welcome to a brand-new season with the Torrance Cultural Arts Foundation! I’m honored to step into the role of Board President as we continue TOCA’s proud tradition of celebrating the arts in all their beautiful diversity.
For over three decades, TOCA has been a cornerstone of creativity and connection in the South Bay. That legacy continues today because of the passion and dedication of our community—our artists, audiences, partners, donors, and volunteers. Together, we make it possible to bring inspiring, thought-provoking, and joy-filled performances to our stages.
At TOCA, we believe the arts are for everyone. Whether it’s your first time in the theater or you’ve been with us since the beginning, we invite you to explore this season’s lineup and find something that speaks to you. From laugh-out-loud comedy to moving musical performances and cultural celebrations, there’s truly something for every taste.
On behalf of the entire Board of Directors, thank you for your continued support. I hope you’ll consider deepening your connection with TOCA—subscribe to our season, become a donor, or lend your time as a volunteer. However you choose to engage, know that you are a vital part of our mission.
I look forward to seeing you at the theater—and to all the unforgettable moments we’ll share this season.
Warmly,
Camilla Seferian President, Board of Directors
Torrance Cultural Arts Foundation
Welcome to the 2025/2026 season at the Torrance Cultural Arts Foundation!
As we turn the page from our milestone 30th year and look ahead, I’m filled with gratitude—not only for where we’ve been, but for where we’re going. Each season is a new opportunity to bring people together, spark meaningful conversations, and celebrate the incredible power of live performance.
At TOCA, we’re not just curating a season—we’re creating space for discovery, connection, and joy. Whether it’s world-class music, laughout-loud comedy, soul-stirring theater, or family programming that ignites young imaginations, our goal remains the same: to offer something memorable for everyone who walks through our doors.
I continue to be inspired by the artists we work with, the team behind the scenes, and especially you— our audience, donors, and community partners—who make it all possible. Your enthusiasm and support are what keeps TOCA vibrant and thriving.
Please explore this brochure and find the shows that speak to you. And as always, if there’s anything we can do to make your experience better, don’t hesitate to reach out to us at info@TorranceArts.org.
Let’s make this season one to remember. See you at the theatre!
Chris Wolf Executive Director
Assisted listening devices available. Ask the House Manager or usher for assistance.
MOZART & MENDELSSOHN & MONTGOMERY
2024 GRAMMY® AWARD-WINNER
2025 CLASSICAL WOMAN OF THE YEAR
Orchestra Collective of Orange County
David Rentz, Music Director • Minji Noh, Soloist
Records from a Vanishing City (2016)
Jessie Montgomery
Piano Concerto No. 20 in D Minor, K. 466 (1785)
I. Allegro
II. Romance
III. Allegro assai
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart
Intermission
Symphony No. 4, Op. 90, “Italian” (1833/34)
I. Allegro vivace
II. Andante con moto
III. Con moto moderato
IV. Presto and Finale: Saltarello
Felix Mendelssohn
Minji Noh is active as a soloist and a chamber musician, and praised as a “superb pianist” by the Boston Globe. She started her piano career at age nine as a soloist with the Baroque Symphony in South Korea and subsequently appeared with others like Young Musicians Foundation Debut Orchestra, State Academic Orchestra of Ukraine, LA Sinfonietta, Orange County Symphony, La Mirada Symphony, and Bellflower Symphony. Her playing has been broadcast on South Korea’s KBS, Wellesley Public Television, Irvine Public Television and heard on radio stations such as KUSC FM 91.5 and GBC AM 1190 of Los Angeles. During summers, Dr. Noh has served on the faculty of Capistrano International Chamber Music Festival, Concordia University Chamber Music Festival, Concordia University Piano Festival, Amici International Music Festival, and Casa Romantica Music Festival and Academy. She is passionate about teaching and also serves on the boards of non-profit organizations such as Music Teachers Association of California, Junior Chamber Music and California Association of Professional Music Teachers, as well as the faculties of Irvine Valley College and Concordia University.
Dr. Noh graduated from both the Oberlin Conservatory and the New England Conservatory with honors, and completed her doctoral degree in piano performance at University of Southern California with Norman Krieger. Her other principal teachers include Ick Choo and Hae Young Moon, Antoinette Perry, Angela Cheng, Patricia Zander and Steve Drury. Dr. Noh resides in Orange where she manages a vibrant private studio of award winning young musicians.
David Rentz is Professor of Music at Chaffey College, where he heads the choral and vocal music programs and teaches music theory. He is also Adjunct Professor of Music at Claremont Graduate University, where he supervises the masters and doctoral programs in choral and orchestral conducting. He is Music Director of Orchestra Collective of Orange County, a founding Co-Conductor of C3LA (Contemporary Choral Collective of Los Angeles), and Co-Director of Music and Fine Arts at Claremont United Church of Christ. He has taught and conducted ensembles at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, Yale University, Pomona College, and the Joint Music Program of Claremont McKenna, Harvey Mudd, Pitzer, and Scripps Colleges. He also served as music director of the Orange County Symphony from 2011 to 2016.
Dr. Rentz received his B.Mus. summa cum laude from Washington University in Saint Louis, where he was a Mylonas Scholar in the Humanities, inducted into Phi Beta Kappa, and a finalist for the Rhodes Scholarship. He earned his M.M at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, and received his M.M.A.
and D.M.A. from the Yale University School of Music, where he was codirector of the University Chapel Choir and a member of the internationallyrenowned Yale Schola Cantorum. He has received fellowships and grants from the Yale alumni Ventures program and the National Endowment for the Humanities and, in 2015, was named guest professor at Xiamen University (China). In 2020, he was in residence at the Pallotti School of Music in Belize City and at the University of Belize, where he taught, performed, and consulted on the imminent founding of the university’s Music Department. In demand as an adjudicator and clinician, he has served in those capacities for the Lansum International Choral Competition, the Claremont College Orchestra Concert Orchestra Concerto Competition, the Oremor Choral Competition, the Chaffey Joint Union High School District Choral Festival, the Southern California Vocal Association, the Whittier Regional Symphony Young Adult Artists’ Competition and many others.
Violin I
Seung-Jai Chung, concertmaster
Debbie Gagnon, associate concertmaster
Joseph Good
Kinh Dang
Stephanie Kim
Benjamin Wilson
Karyn Haitz
Violin II
Wan-Chin Chang, principal
Joon Kim, associate principal
Doris Chiang
Donna Cho
Stefanie McAfee, Endowed Chair
Viola
Chad Jackson, principal, Ellen B. Rice Memorial Chair
