On Saturday, January 25, the Pacific Symphony — in collaboration with the Arts & Learning Conservatory(ALC) — is performing at the Renée and Henry Segerstrom Concert Hall (600 Town Center Dr, Costa Mesa), a tribute to African American artists who have strongly influenced American music with the performance of “Symphonic Soul: A Celebration of African American Artistry.”
ALC was created by Debora Wondercheck, a music producer with an extensive and inspiring musical background, “I was introduced to the art through my mother, who was denied the opportunity to play an instrument when she was a child due to racism,” Wondercheck said as she explained the encouragement she and her siblings received to learn and play instruments.
“All of my 7 siblings play string instruments; I play the cello, and one of my sisters is a classically trained vocalist. My mother vowed that all of her kids would get the opportunity to play instruments, and that resulted in all of her kids getting full scholarships to college and careers in the arts. Her encouragement changed the trajectory of our family’s lives.”
Wondercheck started ALC in 2004 after teaching a summer music camp with thirteen string musicians and eight actors that now serves over 1,200 children every year. Debora’s dream of “paying it forward” through creating arts opportunities to help the most vulnerable youth see and fulfill their potential is being realized and has become the heart of ALC.
In addition to envisioning and creating over 50 music and arts programs in over 50 schools, Debora continues to embrace her community by serving as an Arts Consultant to school districts, participating on the Orange County Department of Education Music Arts Administrators Board, the ArtsOC Board. She also has programs in 27 schools in the Compton school district teaching theater and technical theater.
In 2024, she was voted Board Chair as Arts Commissioner for the City of Costa Mesa and honored as Leads California’s Woman of Distinction. In 2023, she was named one of the 125 most influential individuals in Orange County, CA. Her visionary leadership has earned accolades from esteemed publications such as the LA Times, which hailed her as a Visionary Leader, and Forbes Magazine, where she contributes as a writer.
The ALC team is composed of prominent music expert DR. Lisa Terry, violinist and composer who has played with Atlanta and Nashville Symphony Orchestras and performed with Uptown String Quartet. Music Director Duane Benjamin specializes in the trombone and electric bass. He has toured with music legends Diana Ross, Marvin Gaye, and the Temptations. Dedrick Bonner, Founder and Choir director of Singers of Soul, will also be performing at the Symphony.
“We’ve designed the performance from a historical perspective using spoken word to bring the audience in to authentically connect with and understand the paths of each musician’s journey. By sharing their stories, family roots, career paths, and everything in between, the audience will leave feeling inspired, as if they now know each of them personally,” said Wondercheck. To purchase tickets for the performance, visit www.pacificsymphony.org. Ticket prices range from $33 to $138.