NBindy_6.21.24 | Page 6

6 newportbeachindy . com JUNE 21 , 2024

CHARITY SPOTLIGHT

OC Music & Dance Celebrates Groundbreaking of New Performing Arts Complex

By Christopher Trela | NB Indy

Newport Beach resident Doug Freeman is in perpetual motion . He ’ s been involved with so many artistic projects in Orange County as both a donor and as an arts leader that it ’ s hard to keep up with him .

In 1986 , Freeman persuaded then President Ronald Reagan to create National Philanthropy Day , which is celebrated every November in Orange County and other cities around the nation .

Freeman has been a board member of dozens of local charities including the Pacific Symphony and California institute of the Arts .

His latest artistic adventure : Executive Chair and CEO of Orange County Music & Dance , a nonprofit organization dedicated to artistic education , performing arts training and musical experiences for aspiring artists of all ages .

On May 7 , OC Music & Dance and the City of Irvine celebrated the groundbreaking and “ Great Park Development Open House ” at the Cultural Terrace at Irvine ’ s Great Park .

The location will be the new home to OCMD ’ s state-of-the-art 70,000 square

OCMD groundbreaking : Irvine Councilmember Larry Agran , Charlie Zhang , Councilmember Mike Carroll , Doug Freeman

foot campus and 15,000 square foot performing arts center , allowing OCMD to double its headcount to more than 500 K-12 students and veterans per week with arts education and performance programs .

“ Nurturing and inspiring our students is at the epicenter of our work . When students come to Orange County Music and Dance , we see their journey from

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reluctant and tentative beginner to a confident young artist and capable adult , positively impacting their brain development , life skills , and self-esteem ,” said Freeman . “ The new building is a place where our students can feel safe , secure , and inspired and is accessible regardless of financial circumstances .”

“ We founded OCMD to help encourage students to dream bigger and unlock their greatest potential ,” added Charlie Zhang , OCMD Founder and Chairman . “ The new OCMD campus will help ensure the fulfillment of musical dreams and life goals for the next generations to come .”

OC Music & Dance is part of The Collaborative , a partnership of three nonprofits : OCMD , Pretend City Children ’ s Museum and The Flying Leatherneck Aviation Museum . Freeman helped bring the organizations together to create a pioneering project on a unified campus that maximizes sustainable building and landscapes .

Founded in 2017 , OCMD offers the highest quality education , training and performance opportunities for K-12 students and veterans , with an endowed scholarship program that ensures that children who want to attend can do so , regardless of their financial circumstances . Nearly 40 percent of OCMD students receive financial aid . Over the next few years , OCMD will increase its endowment from $ 3.6 million to $ 5 million , significantly increasing the number of students who will be able to participate .

Working with young disadvantaged children , underserved adults and military veterans , OCMD inspires students to explore instrumental music , recording and sound engineering as well as singing and vocal expression . Its endowed scholarship program provides opportunities for all children regardless of financial circumstances .

Construction is scheduled to begin in January 2025 and is expected to be completed in Fall 2026 . Visit ocmusicdance . org to learn more .

July 4

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awards such as Best Decorated , Finest Costumes , Most Creative , and the Commodore ’ s Award , with class winners to be announced at an Awards Banquet on Sunday , July 16 at 5:30 pm .

“ We are encouraging local boaters to join us for the parade ,” said Commodore David Campagnari . “ It ’ s a lot of fun and a very fulfilling event to see the community appreciate the effort to decorate your boat and celebrate our nation ’ s independence in style . For the general public , we hope you include the parade as part of your day . Celebrating with your friends and family is a can ’ t- miss opportunity .”

The Old Glory Boat Parade began in the 1950s as the Character Boat Parade . As the years passed , the Newport Harbor Chamber of Commerce took the helm , changed the theme , and built the event into a grand parade . Today it ’ s hailed as one of California ’ s largest , longest-running patriotic boat parades .

The parade is free to watch from most public beaches , docks , and boardwalks throughout the scenic harbor area — including Balboa Island , always a popular destination on July 4 . Parking on July 4 can be tricky almost anywhere in Newport Beach , especially on Balboa Peninsula , so arrive early .

Please visit www . alyc . com for more information about the boat parade and www . al291 . com for information about the three-day Centennial Celebration .

Lifeguards

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taking away some fun activities .

Throughout , Lifeguard instructors emphasize the three Rs . Nope , not those three , these three : Respect , Responsibility and Representation .

For four decades , the Junior Lifeguard program has operated out of a trailer located on Ocean Blvd ., adjacent to the Balboa Pier . But on June 6 , the public was invited to join in celebration of the opening of the dedicated , $ 7.8 million , 5,400-squarefoot Junior Lifeguard Building — a dream-come-true facility costing $ 7.8 million that was paid for using federal funds provided by the American Rescue Plan Act ($ 5.2 million ) and private donations ($ 2.052 million ) via the Newport Beach Junior Lifeguard Foundation .

As will be taught and emphasized at the new HQs , safety is always the focus , Conwell said . That means not only for the program ’ s participants , but ultimately for many thousands of recreational beachgoers , as well as for the lifeguards themselves .

For Newport ’ s lifeguards — junior , as well as full time — being prepared includes peak physical fitness , unwavering attention to the sea and to the throngs enjoying the surf0 — and plenty of sun screen .