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Organization |
Mission Statement | Legal
| Financial | Producer
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Founder
Beverly DeCer
- Entrepreneurial experience: :involved with the organization
and running of two successful Philadelphia restaurants in
the 1970's, renovated her own home and was a winner of "Metropolitan
Home" magazines' contest, consequently appearing in
the November 1987 issue.
- Founder of Legendary Performances. Now devoting her time
to the successful development of Legendary Performances
as a "social entrepreneur".
- Mother of Paige Louise Chapman, Lives in
Philadelphia and Corral de Tierra, CA..
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Personal
Message: "During one of my visits to Russia
I attended a piano recital in the Great Hall at the Moscow
Conservatory. I was so very impressed by the mixture of ages
in the audience, many families with children in rapt attention.
Their passion for the music and musician was palpable. That
evening I had the idea that "these performances would
make wonderful broadcasts!" It was one of those "hair
stood up on my neck" moments. Maybe it had something
to do with having just been to the ballet at the Bolshoi and
in anticipation of the talent at the Mariinsky,but I had an
overwhelming conviction that stuck in my mind. I feel that
the richness of the cultural scene in Russia is a gift of
beauty that would enrich the lives of its' audience... and
our media could certainly use a dose of cultural beauty.
After
arriving home I mentioned my impression to a friend who immediately
encouraged me to find a way to do this project and following
a few more proddings I began the monumental task.
I find that when I explain Legendary Performances, people
are fascinated with the concept and express a desire for an
alternative to the mundane,trivial programming that is offered
by so much of the television media. They would love to see
the performing artists of Russia who have been honed by decades
of education and a Russian passion for the arts.
In spite
of the many oppressive years Russia's people have endured,
their pride in musical excellence was never supressed. I feel
that the performing arts is "the diamond of Russia"
and what better way to display it than to broadcast it into
millions of homes.
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Executive
Director
Susannah
Stuart
- Collaborator who thrives in working with diverse
groups of people on the development and roll out
of new artistic projects
- Most recently has worked as a public relations
consultant with culinary and non-profit
organizations
- She was the National Director of Public Relations
for Feld Entertainment, producer of Ringling Bros.
and Barnum & Bailey and Disney on Ice
- Also was the National Promotions Director for the
420-store Kay and J.B. Robinson retail jewelry
chain located in over 150 US markets; the Director
of The Salem Witch Museum; and creator of Haunted
Happenings, Salem’s annual week-long Halloween
Festival
- Originally from Boston, Massachusetts, Susannah
presently lives in Medina, Washington
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Personal
Message:
The world is indeed getting smaller. However, not
everyone has the opportunity to personally experience
the culture and unique attributes of the artistic
endeavors which are blossoming locally around the
world today. I have always been inspired by the
passion of artists and by their ability to
transport audiences to a place of joy through their
métier. I welcome the opportunity to be a part of
Legendary Performances and to help present a
continuous program of quality televised works to
international viewers that will showcase today’s
world-renowned Russian artists as they perform in the
glorious historic Russian venues that date from
another era of opulence and beauty.
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Olga
Petrova
- Senior Field Producer at Reuters, Moscow...bio and image coming soon.
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Christopher
Plummer
- Managing Director and Chief Consultant for Metal Strategies
Inc, a leading international management-consulting firm.
His work most often involves assessing the economic and
financial feasibility and risk for multi-$100 million
dollar to multi-billion dollar projects as well as mergers
and acquisitions.
- He holds an MBA in International Finance, and is one
of the more widely-known consultants in his field with
over 20 years of experience.
- He is and avid music lover, self-taught musician (piano),
and arts supporter. He has traveled extensively in Russia
and visits regularly.
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Nadia
Raikin
- Born and raised in St. Petersburg, Russia in a family
of classical musicians.
- Graduated from St. Petersburg City Music School (piano)
- Masters Degree in Math and Education from the Leningrad
State Pedagogical University in 1980
- Bachelor's Degree in paralegal studies from the University
of Maryland
- Assisted George Soros in launching the Soviet Lawyer
Internship Project
- Since then has worked with Akin Gump Strauss Hauer and
Feld, LLP, and Mintz Levin Cohn Ferris Glovsky and Popeo,
PC.
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Tatiana
Senkevich
- Muscovite in the seventh - generation, lives and works in Moscow
- University degree in Aerospace Engineering
- Professional qualified cultural specialist with more than 10 years
experience overseeing and coordinating U.S. Department of State book
translation and speaker programs in Moscow
- Accomplished in all areas relating to the managing and programming
of cultural events from educational workshops to museum conferences and film
festivals
- Fond of Akhmatova, Tsvetayeva, and Robert Frost verse
- There is nothing like traveling...
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John
Varoli
- Currently is arts writer for Bloomberg News. He has
contributed to New York Times, Reuters, Radio Free Europe,
St. Petersburg Times, etc.
- He was a Senior TV news producer with Reuters Video News
(Moscow Bureau), and wrote/ hosted “Stroll Down
Broadway” for Kultura, Russia’s national arts
station.
- Also active in UNICEF projects for war-torn areas of
the North Caucasus and founder and Director of Moscow’s
first charity to help street children.
- John lives in St. Petersburg with his wife and two boys.
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Steven Wigler
- Chief music critic at the Rochester Democrat & Council,
Orlando Sentinel, and Baltimore Sun through 1999.
- His honors include two Emmart Prizes for writing about
culture, awards from the Baltimore-Washington Press Club,
and the New York Associated Press Contest.
- He now writes about music from his home in Baltimore
and is working on a book about the last of the great Soviet
era pianists.
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Personal
Message: "The performing arts of Russia
are among the 20th century's most precious legacies -- and
among the most threatened. Any effort to preserve them is
a blessed act." |
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| "I am
only one but still I am one. I cannot do everything, but still I can
do something. And because I cannot do everything I will not refuse
to do the something that I can do." - Helen Keller |
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