20260426 OC of OC Playbill DIGITAL

MOZART & MENDELSSOHN & MONTGOMERY 2024 GRAMMY® AWARD-WINNER 2025 CLASSICAL WOMAN OF THE YEAR

Torrance Cultural Arts Foundation

Sunday, April 26, 2026 Armstrong Theatre

SEASON PARTNERS

Torrance Cultural Arts Foundation

SPONSORS OUR MISSION 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

DALE KORMAN

(In Memory of Maestro Frank Fetta)

Ann and Marty Gallagher

Nancy and George Mannon

Ted and Carolyn Porter

Cliff Numark

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

Cello Ryan Phipps, principal John Rasmussen Dzung Nguyen Miles Wilderman Suzanne La Roque Melissa Bausley

Violin II Wan-Chin Chang, principal Joon Kim, associate principal Doris Chiang Donna Cho Stefanie McAfee, Endowed Chair

Flute Stephanie Getz, principal Deborah Vasquez

Viola Chad Jackson, principal, Ellen B. Rice Memorial Chair Colby Miyamoto Taichiroh Kanauchi Niño Escolar-Chua Arturo Mandujano, Jr. Hao-Nhien Vu

Bass John Graves, principal Corbin Foster

Oboe Angela Wells, principal, Ann M. Robinson Endowed Chair Maralynne Mann

Clarinet Leslie Schroerlucke, principal Daryl Golden Bassoon Peter Gray, principal Lesley Frey French Horn Brian Pham, principal, Ann M. Robinson Endowed Chair Sarah Krueger Trumpet Andrew Rodman, principal Jonathan Kang Timpani Sho Fujida, principal

I am honored to support TOCA’s efforts to bring high-quality live entertainment and theatrical performances to the South Bay.

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Thank You SEASON PARTNER City of Torrance Eleanor Marie Land Family Trust $10,000 - $49,999 - STARS Paul & Rita Keil Pearlston Family Trust Torrance Refining Company $5,000 - $9,999 – CO-STARS Sares-Regis Group Supervisor Janice Hahn Surf Management, Inc. $2,500 - $4,999 PRODUCERS Jean Adelsman Continental Development Corporation Farmers & Merchants Bank Jane and Jim Isomoto Dale Korman (In Memory of Maestro Frank Fetta) Lori Mizuguchi Tito’s Handmade Vodka $1,000 - $2,499 - DIRECTORS Ann and Marty Gallagher Nancy and George Mannon Ted and Carolyn Porter $500 – ANGELS Tammy Khan Rod and Crystal Macdonell Gerald and Carol Marcil Ellenmary Michel William Oberholzer Jim Olds (In Memory of A.Y. & Joyce Olds) Athena Paquette Cormier

$250 - FRIENDS Reuben and Sabrina Ayala John and Louise Bye Mary Hoffman and Bob Habel Glen and Fumiko Isobe Russell and Carole Lefevre Frank and Marilyn Miles Fred and Ann Peitzman Andrea and Ron Perez (In Memory of John Popovich) Nancy Richards Laura Savitz Winnie Seieroe Sylvia Stadlman Christian and Robin Wolf $100 - FANS Amy Blomgren Janice Burrin Ann and Victor Cooper Helen Dennis Lynn Fernandez Judy Golden Gary Hastings Janet Johnson Eleanor Jones Pentti and Ginger Jussila Lynda Kraemer Kenneth and Doris Nakakura George and Helen Nakano Peter and Vicki Pellerito Pamela Popovich Maurine Swilley Hazel Taniguchi Paula and John Verbeck Kurt Weideman and Sue Golden

TORRANCE CULTURAL ARTS FOUNDATION BOARD Katy Geissert, Founding President EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE Camilla Seferian, President Heidi Cunningham, Vice President/Secretary Winnie Seieroe, Treasurer David Kartsonis, Immediate Past President BOARD OF DIRECTORS Jean Adelsman Sara Baillie Liliana Dongo Jim Olds Peter Pettler Laura Savitz Ray Zepeda ADVISORY BOARD David Benoit Shannon Dean Scott Douglas Donna Duperron Steve Fechner Patrick Furey Ann Gallagher Jonah Hirata Sherry Kramer Gesuina Lafayette George Nakano Steve Napolitano Bill Oberholzer Ted Porter Ritas Smith Kurt Weideman STAFF Christian Wolf, Executive Director Sharon Sapigao, Administration Susan Lyon, Artist Hospitality Tes Schaff, Graphic Design

Torrance Cultural Arts Foundation

JUNE 27 11am–5pm

Torrance Cultural Arts Foundation

AR T • MUSIC • F OOD • PERFORMANCES

FREE ENTERTAINMENT FOR THE WHOLE FAMILY

LOTS OF FAMILY FUN

For more information or to purchase tickets, please call (310) 781-7171 or visit TorranceArts.org