Soraya Stories
The best time to preserve history is always NOW, and after only a decade, The Soraya is already vibrant and rich. This online oral history is told by artists, patrons, and many others whose vast experiences make up the story of The Soraya.
One of the highlights of my concert career is at The Soraya when I got to sing with the Burbank High School Choir.
Megan Hilty
Broadway Actress
I really enjoy the challenge or reworking a narrative for an audience. It's rare when the art meets the moment.
Jason Moran
Artistic Director Jazz at Lincoln Center
I think [The Soraya] has put CSUN and the Valley in a very unique position. I love that it has something for everyone
The Honorable Joy Picus
Soraya Ambassador
Student matinees expose children to such a diverse array of...performances, [and also] bring the world to their doorstep.
Kris Brough
Principal, Our Lady of Lourdes Parish School
It was an amazing experience. The highlight of my tour. We love The Soraya.
Joshua Bell
Award-winning Violinist
I was really honored to be a part of that opening night. One reason being it is one of the finest halls anywhere.
Monica Mancini
Singer and Soraya Supporter
We've performed at The Soraya multiple times and it has becomie one of our artistic homes in Los Angeles.
Christopher Rountree
Artistic Director and Conductor, Wild Up
You guys have proved to Ballet Folklórico de Los Ángeles and Mariachi Garibaldi de Jaime Cuéllar that the sky is the limit!
Kareli Montoya
Director of Ballet Folklórico de Los Ángeles
The performance was amazing because The Soraya is such an incredible space.... it was amazing hearing people's response to the piece that we made.
Justin Roberts
Singer/Songwriter
“The commitment to this performing arts center was a recognition that the university deserved a facility that would be a magnet for others who lived around it”
Dr. Jolene Koester
Former CSUN President
Our familia at The Soraya was incredibly wonderful and generous in letting us still present our concert online.
Arturo O'Farrill
Founder and Artistic Director- Afro Latin Jazz Orchestra
We support The Soraya's K-12 Arts Education program because it's important for children to be exposed to live performances.
Rosalyn & Neal M. Berg
Soraya Supporters
We all put our heads together and raised the money to do it.
David W. Fleming
Founding Member, The Soraya
I love the fact that 20 years into our rock career, we’re seeing a new generation of kids be creative and inventive in weird ways because of the videos we've made.
OK Go
Grammy Award-winning Rock Band
That evening at The Soraya felt like a grand event…it felt like a culmination of my development as a musician.
Taylor McFerrin
Musician, Producer, DJ
The Soraya really thinks through how to make a memorable experience, not only for the audience but also for those on stage.
Dan Guerrero
Director & Producer
Christine and Owen Smith would be so proud of their role in this venue. I am so extraordinarily honored that they have permitted me to be a part of that...I’m just in awe of what [The Soraya] has brought to the Valley.
Deirdre Larkin
Trustee, Christine & Owen Smith Trust
The Soraya cares not just about the shows, but its audience members, the donors, and the students at Northridge.
Chris DeDominic, Luis Luque, Andrea Ramirez, and Jared Shahar
Past Interns
It had to be that the stage and the audience were one.
Kara Hill
Lead Architect & Designer
The second you step in, you feel so welcomed. You feel that everyone is there for you and to make whatever show you’re doing a huge success.
Richard Kaufman
Conductor & CSUN Alumnus
Your audience—they’re real music people...They’re coming to participate and they’re coming to feel their feelings.