Orange County School of the Arts (OCSA) kicked off its 33rd year with its fourth-annual “Season Premiere,” an uplifting evening celebrating OCSA’s mission to equip aspiring young artists with the education, experience and confidence to go after their dreams. More than 270 friends and members of the OCSA community gathered at the Balboa Bay Resort on Saturday, Sept. 7, 2019, to enjoy a cocktail reception, gourmet dinner and awe-inspiring performances. Accomplished actor, singer and OCSA alumnus Terron Brooks and 26 students from the Popular Music Conservatory delivered a high-energy concert of 1960s hits that brought the crowd to its feet. The sold-out event was made possible by Honorary Producer Carole Pickup of Balboa Bay Resort and Executive Producer The Bushala Family.
“It pleases me very much to watch all of the talented young people onstage doing what they love most and to see them encouraged by such an accomplished alumnus. Terron Brooks is an outstanding example for all of the students of what is possible,” said Pickup, who has generously underwritten OCSA’s Season Premiere for the past four years. “The Balboa Bay Resort and my family are looking forward to many more years in partnership with OCSA. There is no better place to put our treasures than in our young people.”
Beginning at 5:30 p.m., the school’s performance ambassadors, MONTAGE!, played an acoustic set while guests arrived and reconnected over drinks and appetizers. Dinner entertainment featured talented students from The Garn Family Jazz Studies Program, led by John Reynolds, D.M.A., who showed off their musicality with tunes such as “Take the A Train.”
Once the sun went down, accomplished actor, singer, songwriter and motivational speaker Brooks took the stage for a 1960s revue featuring the impressive musical talents of the Popular Music Conservatory students, led by conservatory director Rachel Kramer. Encouraging the crowd to remember where they were when they first heard these songs, Brooks opened the show with “Get Ready” and “My Girl.” Three young women dressed in floor-length gold gowns sang “Keep Me Hangin’ On,” followed by Brooks and additional featured students performing “Hard to Handle,” “Just My Imagination,” “Respect” and other favorites.
Brooks, who graduated from OCSA in 1992, took a moment to speak about being a student of OCSA Founder Ralph Opacic, Ed.D. “I started out as a young kid with a good voice in the back of the choir room,” he said. “Dr. Opacic found me, and through OCSA, gave me the possibility of a dream I wouldn’t have known otherwise. It was the confidence that I received from OCSA that let me know I had a shot in the audition for ‘The Temptations’ television series. It’s very important that these young people know that you support them.”
The performance concluded with “Ain’t No Mountain High Enough,” which sent everyone off inspired and encouraged by these motivated and talented young artists. OCSA’s Season Premiere was also made possible by Season Sponsor Audi and Event Sponsors St. Michelle Wine Estates, Brite Ideas and Bella Blooms Floral Design.
Save the date for OCSA’s Gala, “Boots and Bling,” taking place on Saturday, March 14, 2020 at Hotel Irvine.