Growing up in Lexington, Ben Kaufmann was presented to classical music earlier than many. His dad, a doctor, made it a behavior to take his young son to shows on the College of Kentucky school. Like several preteens though, Kaufmann had various other suggestions of exactly how he would prefer to invest his time.
Yet that direct exposure ultimately sparked an appreciation for songs: Kaufmann took place to become a cornet gamer in secondary school and also created a love for musical masterpieces. As well as, he was inspired to continue the tradition of solution and philanthropy that his papa had begun decades before.
Over the years, Kaufman and also his wife, Janet Zusman, have remained to improve the family practice of patronage as long time fans of the UK University of Penalty Arts, and also have devoted to develop the Ben C. Kaufmann as well as Janet Zusman Songs Fund in the Institution of Music.In over thirty years of philanthropic support to UK, the couple’s virtually $400,000 in lifetime offering and new pledge commitments will now consist of a $6.6 million postponed present– the largest in the history of the UK University of Art and also amongst the biggest donations to the arts in Central Kentucky.
“We want our present to spotlight the value of the University of Art and the College of Music in our area,” Kaufmann said. “I want to influence others to join us as benefactors.”
Zusman concurred, saying, “I think residing in an university community is such an advantage in so many methods– variety, arts, sports, opportunities for proceeding education and learning, etc. As a result of this, I always assumed it was very important to support those universities that provide so much to the area.”
The Kaufmann and Zusman gift will support efficiency, outreach initiatives and also programming for UK Opera Theatre, UK Chamber Orchestra and UK choral sets, to develop access to and also admiration for songs as well as make sure that it will thrive in the Bluegrass region. The fund’s top priority will be student scholarships.
“Our goal at UK Opera Theater is to be the most effective training program for young artists in the nation. This gift aids us to hire, create and also preserve some of the most effective young musicians in the nation through scholarships, assistance and also preparation for the future,” stated Everett McCorvey, supervisor of the UK Opera Theater. “In addition to our skilled artists, the Lexington audiences will be the recipients of this transformational gift due to the fact that they will certainly get to experience some of the best young skill on the planet right below on our stages in Lexington at the University of Kentucky!”
“Ben and also Janet have actually been fans of the Institution of Songs and its sets for rather time, and we deeply value their previous kindness. However a present of this extent is transformative,” said UK College of Music Supervisor Stan Pelkey. “The UK School of Songs’s nationwide as well as global reputation among potential pupils has gotten on the surge throughout the previous decade. This gift will certainly boost our set experiences also further, reinforce our track record as a prominent institution of songs, and reinforce our capability to hire and also sustain phenomenal cohorts of undergraduate and also graduate students from throughout Kentucky as well as worldwide.”
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