MISSION & GOALS
OUR MISSION
The mission of Zoellner Arts Center is to infuse the arts into the life of Lehigh University and the greater Lehigh Valley community by presenting high-quality multi-disciplinary programs, by fostering life-long patronage of the arts, and by integrating our educational resources to enhance our human experience.
OUR GOALS
Connecting Urban, Suburban & Rural Communities Through the Arts by working consistently with area school districts to integrate arts and education.
Access to the Arts for All by removing physical, economic, and emotional barriers to participation.
Partnering with Purpose by actively seeking out partnerships with organizations that share our values and beliefs.
By Christine Kreschollek
SCAN TO DONATE
Cover photo:
ARTS HAVE IMPACT
A Message from the Executive Director of Zoellner Arts Center
Thank you for taking the time to read through our annual impact report for the 2024-2025 season. You may already know firsthand the value Lehigh University’s Zoellner Arts Center brings to our community, or perhaps you are just beginning to get to know us. Either way, we are grateful for your interest and your belief that Arts Have Impact.
We understand how vital the arts are to the economic and social vitality of our region, and Zoellner is proud to play a central role in that work. We serve as the backbone organization for the Any Given Child Bethlehem program, working in partnership with the City of Bethlehem and the Bethlehem Area School District. Together, we connect local arts partners with students across the district, giving teachers creative tools to engage their students through Creative Teaching Strategies that integrate the arts into everyday learning.
From presenting world-class performances on our stages to supporting educators and engaging with community partners, every connection we make strengthens the fabric of the Lehigh Valley. Each concert, workshop, and creative collaboration contributes to the collective well-being of our community.
The World Health Organization defines health as “a state of complete physical, mental, and social well-being, and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity.” At Zoellner, we take that definition to heart. Have you ever left a performance here feeling good, more joyful, or simply at peace? Maybe your shoulders dropped, your breath slowed, or a smile lingered longer than usual. That sense of calm and connection is not an accident; the arts have the power to heal.
Through our new Arts & Wellness initiatives, we are bringing tools of well-being into the community, pairing world-class artistry with evidence-based approaches that foster emotional and community health. This season, we piloted the Marcie and Glenn M. Yarnis ’80 Thrive Through the Arts Initiative to connect families through meaningful engagement that bridges the arts with health and well-being. We have expanded these initiatives in 2025-2026 with our Well-Being Concerts, inspired by a pioneering program from Carnegie Hall.
We lead these initiatives by partnering with a purpose with other organizations that share our values and understand we have a unique opportunity to bring our urban, suburban, and rural communities together through the arts.
We thank our supporters for helping make this work possible year after year. And we thank our community for your trust, your partnership, and your belief that together, through the arts, we can make a difference.
– Mark Fitzgerald Wilson
PRESENTING SERIES
High quality, incredible show. All the ushers are so nice, and even the other audience members are very friendly. Just a nice atmosphere.
My friend is blind and the staff and performers were so kind to let her visit backstage and “see” the instruments with her fingers. She was so happy. And the performers were so very kind. Thank you from our hearts.
They were fabulous. We have been to a half dozen or so performances at Baker, and they have all been top notch.
Excellent performance, perfect length of time for young children.
We were completely blown away by this performance -- I love Zoellner events but this was a real standout. Neil Berg is right, we need to introduce younger audiences to the performing arts, and specifically Broadway.
Excellent production. Impressive musicians. Valuable history lessons woven into the music.
The King’s Singers was a wonderful concert by any standard! The musicianship was superb! The audience were so very appreciative. A quality performance that will be hard to match. The staff were very friendly and helpful. Well done! Thank you.
My husband didn’t want to go and he actually teared up during the performance, this was an awesome show.
16,569
Total Number of Presenting Series Patrons
“It’s always a great time coming to Zoellner Arts Center for shows. There’s never a bad seat in the house. Very comfortable, easy access, and inexpensive. The entertainment is always very great.”
FAMILY SERIES
“The show was especially interesting because of the prop interaction with the crowd. The children loved it! ”
What an amazing job from the performers and everyone involved at Zoellner. The kids and and adults enjoyed this cute, timeless, with a twist tale.
I am writing to express my sincere gratitude to your incredible staff at the Family Day Festival. Your team’s exceptional kindness and assistance made a difficult situation turn into a positive outcome. Thanks to your staff’s dedication and diligence, my belongings were recovered. Their actions are a testament to the exceptional service and care provided by the Zoellner Arts Center. Thank you for everything.
It was great to take the grandkids to the performance and all the pre-show activities were very good including the talks and free fruits.
Fantastic show! Especially the interaction with the audience ... that was our kids favorite part!
Hello! I feel compelled to give feedback on yesterday’s Aluminum Show. My two kids, husband and I had the best time! My four-year old kept saying “How did they DO that!?
This was my 3-year-old granddaughter’s first theater experience and it was wonderful for her!
This was a wonderful show. I would love to see more like it.
2,000+ Attendees
7 Family Series Shows
707 Attendees
31 events Outreach at: 12 Libraries 1 Pre-school 1 Senior Center 1 Community Group FAMILY ADVISORY COMMITTEE
36 Attendees
2 Meetings
KID FEEDBACK BOARD
95% of children Enjoyed attending the shows COMMUNITY CONNECTIONS
290 Organizations connected with for outreach
25 Local and Campus Partners at Family Day
FAMILY SERIES PARTNER
“ Lehigh Valley Reilly Children’s Hospital, part of Jefferson Health is proud to be the presenting sponsor for the Zoellner Arts Center Family Series. As the region’s first and most trusted children’s hospital, we understand the role the arts play in building healthy and happy kids – with the arts significantly benefiting: A child’s development, fostering creativity, confidence, communication skills and empathy, promoting teamwork and cultural awareness, and ultimately contributing to a well-rounded and healthy child. Our partnership with Zoellner Arts Center, and the Family Series does just that.”
– Anne Baum, President Lehigh Valley Reilly Children’s Hospital
FAMILY SERIES HIGHLIGHT: THE MARCIE AND GLENN M. YARNIS ’80 THRIVE THROUGH THE ARTS INITIATIVE
During the 2024-2025 season, with the support of Lehigh University alumnus Glenn Yarnis ‘80, we expanded our impact with patrons attending the Lehigh Valley Reilly Children’s Hospital Family Series through The Marcie and Glenn M. Yarnis ’80 Thrive Through the Arts Initiative
These pre-show activities brought families together for meaningful engagement through:
Conversations with LVHN healthcare professionals to connect art with health and well-being
Artistic engagement activities that foster creativity and family bonding
Science-based mindfulness exercises designed to support mental health and resilience
Healthy snacks to nourish participants and reinforce wellness practices
Attendees
Pre-show Events
EDUCATION CONNECTIONS
That was the best thing I ever saw!
The show was amazing! We were excited to go, but actually being there and sharing that experience with our students was so special. Unforgettable core memory! We wish the entire early elementary grades from our school would have attended.
Wonderful performance! It was a fantastic mix of educational and entertaining!
Loved the entire experience!
I was in awe of how my students with autism, who do not typically like to be in large groups, have not stopped talking about how awesome the show was and how they couldn’t wait to see another show. Getting them out of their comfort zone and having them love it was an incredible feeling as an educator.
9,556
Total Number of Student Attendees
Events
2024-2025 STUDENT PARTICIPATION* EVENTS #
18 School Shows and Workshops
16 Arts in Action in-school sessions
11 Campus Tours (Mechanical Engineering, Structural Engineering, LUAG, LTS)
9 Back to School Nights, Career Day, School & Community Events
6,238
778
252
2,288
*Encompassing 7 School Districts and 26 Independent Schools (Charter, Parochial, Private and Home School) in grades K-12
ANY GIVEN CHILD BETHLEHEM
(Ensuring the Arts for) Any Given Child Bethlehem (AGCB) is a Kennedy Center collective impact initiative, led by Zoellner Arts Center in collaboration with the City of Bethlehem, the Bethlehem Area School District, and a network of Bethlehem’s finest arts organizations.
“Thank you for providing strategies that can immediately be put into action and seem manageable for all regardless of arts background.”
Vision
A learning environment where every child experiences, creates, and values the arts.
Core Values
We believe in the arts as a powerful tool for transformative change.
We believe in community collaboration and transformative community impact.
We believe in integrity and equity at all costs.
We believe in building an engaged learning community.
Accomplishments
1. Facilitate curriculum-based arts experiences in community arts venues.
Approximately 6,400 students engaged in arts programming in community arts venues during the 2024-25 school year. This includes students in Kindergarten-Grade 6, and Grade 8.
2. Provide community-based teaching artists for in-school and after-school arts experiences.
Approximately 450 students engaged with in-school programming and 300 students in after-school programming during the 2024-25 school year.
3. Support professional learning for BASD teachers.
88 teachers engaged in Creative Teaching Strategies professional learning opportunities in the 202425 school year (includes 16 ESOL teachers, 10 music teachers, and 62 classroom/specialist teachers).
Approximately
6,400 students engaged in Any Given Child arts programming.
During the 2024-2025 school year,
88 classroom teachers, and by extension, approximately...
1,760 students were directly impacted by the Creative Learning Initiative.
Any Given Child Bethlehem directly impacts every K-8 student in the Bethlehem Area School District, in addition to teachers, administrators, local artists and arts organizations, and members of the community at large.
MUSIC MASTER MENTOR PROGRAM
AWARD-WINNING MENTORS LEAD WEEKLONG CAMP
Zoellner proudly hosted the Music Master Mentor Program in July with Grammy Award-winning bassist Bakithi Kumalo, Dan Andree, June Thomas Fraser, as well as Lehigh University and community musicians. In the spring, area middle and high school student musicians applied to join these award-winning mentors for a free week-long summer camp to explore improvisation, learn professional techniques, and exercise their creativity. The students presented a free concert open to campus and community. This program was complimentary for students to attend thanks to the generous support of Brenda and John McGlade ’76 ’86G.
Student Musicians 5 Mentors
6 Songs
1
Celebratory Concert in Baker Hall
COMMUNITY CONNECTIONS 5,936+
Connections 80+
Community Engagement Events
“Thank you so much for coming into our library to do the bilingual storytime with our families [and] for your patience and kindness with the busy group too!”
– Melissa Stuyak Southern Public Library
StoryTime Event
“Thank you for joining us and for providing this wonderful opportunity to our students and families. We appreciate your partnership! ”
– Erin Martin-Medina, Principal Donegan Elementary School Calpulli Mexican Dance Event
COMMUNITY PARTNER HIGHLIGHT: HISPANIC CENTER
LEHIGH VALLEY
6 Shows 2 HCLV events (Gala & Back to School)
2 Workshops with Plena Libre & Calpulli Mexican Dance
1 Community Breakfast with leaders from HCLV
Our partnership with the Zoellner Arts Center means a lot to us at Hispanic Center Lehigh Valley, especially for the members of our Basilio Huertas Senior Center. It goes beyond events or performances; it’s about bringing joy, connection, and chances for our seniors to feel seen, valued, and celebrated. Watching their faces light up as they enjoy music, movement, and culture reminds us why this relationship is so important. We are thankful for a partnership that respects our community’s roots while inspiring new memories.
– Raymond Santiago HCLV Executive Director
VOLUNTEERS
With over 175 events each season—from the Presenting Series to Lehigh’s Music and Theatre departments, campus groups, and community programs—Zoellner Arts Center thrives thanks to our dedicated volunteers.
3,680 Volunteer hours
73 Number of volunteers
TECHNICAL SERVICES
Behind every performance—on stage, throughout the building, and beyond our walls—is the dedicated Technical Services team. They work tirelessly behind the scenes to ensure Zoellner Arts Center remains a vital common good resource for our campus and community.
23 ,000+
Collective hours working on productions
ACCESS TO THE ARTS
With the generous support of the The Dexter F. and Dorothy H. Baker Foundation and Lehigh University, Zoellner Arts Center took meaningful steps toward greater accessibility and inclusion. Over the past year, we created a sensory room, assembled sensory kits for patrons, upgraded our hearing assist system, and installed two wheelchair-accessible doors. In addition, our staff received training to better support and welcome all patrons, ensuring that every visitor feels included and valued.
Sensory Kits
Assistive Listening Systems
64,059
Total number of people impacted by Zoellner
9,340
New patrons to Zoellner
Number of tickets for Lehigh University Students
6,185 Undergrad 5,612 Graduate 573
99%
Agree or Strongly Agree they would recommend Zoellner to others 94% Agree or Strongly Agree they saw a high quality program
286 Subscribers (71 new)
9,556 K-12 students impacted by educational programs
FUNDING SUPPORT
Leadership Funding: Victoria E. and Robert E. Zoellner ’54 ’15GP
WITH SUPPORT FROM KEYSTONE SAVINGS FOUNDATION LEHIGH UNIVERSITY AUTISM SERVICES
THE JOHN J. POHANKA FAMILY FOUNDATION
PHILIP AND MURIEL BERMAN CENTER FOR JEWISH STUDIES
ENDOWMENTS
Anne R. Kline ‘81 Endowed Fund for Creatively Integrated Programming
Marc A. Falato ‘87 Presenting Series Endowment Fund
The Long Family Endowment for Community Outreach in the Arts
Claire and Ted Diamond ‘37 ‘85H Endowment • Zoellner Arts Center Opportunity Fund Lancaster Fund • The Arnan ‘58 & Marlene Finkelstein Endowment Fund
Zoellner Arts Center Endowment • Zoellner Advisory Council Director’s Endowment
Klees Family Instrumental Ensemble Endowed Fund
MEDIA
SPECIAL ACKNOWLEDGMENT
Zoellner Arts Center receives state arts funding support through a grant from the Pennsylvania Council on the Arts, a state agency funded by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.
WHO WE ARE
ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICE
Robert Flowers, Dean of College of Arts & Sciences
Mark Wilson, Executive Director
Isabel Barone, Artistic & Administrative Coordinator
AUDIENCE SERVICES
Sandra Anderson, Director of Audience Services
Robin Perry, Audience Services Coordinator
Ryan Sevenski, Ticket Services Manager
Nick DeSanctis, Ticket System Administrator
Amie Januszkiewicz, Katrina Miller, & Rose Sandberg, House Managers
MARKETING & COMMUNICATIONS
Lynn Farley, Director of Marketing & Communications
Ventura Ortiz, Marketing & Communications Coordinator
COMMUNITY & EDUCATION
Candi Staurinos, Director of Community Engagement & Impact
Lenore Pitsilos, Education Engagement Coordinator
Dimitra Panagopoulos, Community & Campus Engagement Coordinator
ANY GIVEN CHILD BETHLEHEM
Adam Ercolani, Program Manager
BUSINESS, SCHEDULING & RENTALS
Jennifer Mack, Business Manager
Becky Eshelman, Scheduling & Events Manager
China Wygant, Administrative & Production Coordinator
TECHNICAL SERVICES:
Joshua Kovar, Production Manager
R. Elizabeth Miller, Assistant Production Manager
Kyle Rudgers, Assistant Production Manager
Justin Burns, Lighting Coordinator
Phillip Ingle, Audio Coordinator
ZOELLNER ADVISORY COUNCIL:
Anne Baum
Marc Falato ‘87
Oldrich Foucek II ‘72 ‘05P ‘09P, chair
Ellen Baker Ghelardi
Michele McGrath
Maddie H Scheler ‘08 ‘09G