The First Decade
The best time to preserve history is always NOW, and in just a decade, The Soraya has already become a vibrant and rich testament to its legacy. This online oral history features narratives from artists, patrons, and numerous individuals whose vast experiences collectively shape the captivating story of The Soraya.
Megan Hilty
Broadway Actress
“One of the highlights of my concert career is at The Soraya when I got to sing with the Burbank High School Choir.”
Jason Moran
Artistic Director Jazz at Lincoln Center
“I really enjoy the challenge or reworking a narrative for an audience. It’s rare when the art meets the moment.”
The Honorable Joy Picus
Soraya Ambassador
“I think [The Soraya] has put CSUN and the Valley in a very unique position. I love that it has something for everyone”
Kris Brough
Principal, Our Lady of Lourdes Parish School
Student matinees expose children to such a diverse array of…performances, [and also] bring the world to their doorstep.
Joshua Bell
Award-winning Violinist
“It was an amazing experience. The highlight of my tour. We love The Soraya.”
Monica Mancini
Singer and Soraya Supporter
“I was really honored to be a part of that opening night. One reason being it is one of the finest halls anywhere.”
Christopher Rountree
Artistic Director and Conductor, Wild Up
“We’ve performed at The Soraya multiple times and it has become one of our artistic homes in Los Angeles.”
Kareli Montoya
Director of Ballet Folklórico de Los Ángeles
“You guys have proved to Ballet Folklórico de Los Ángeles and Mariachi Garibaldi de Jaime Cuéllar that the sky is the limit!”
Justin Roberts
Singer/Songwriter
“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.”
Dr. Jolene Koester
Former CSUN President
“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”
Arturo O’Farrill
Founder and Artistic Director- Afro Latin Jazz Orchestra
“Our familia at The Soraya was incredibly wonderful and generous in letting us still present our concert online.”
Rosalyn & Neal M. Berg
Soraya Supporters
We support The Soraya’s K-12 Arts Education program because it’s important for children to be exposed to live performances.
David W. Fleming
Founding Member, The Soraya
“We all put our heads together and raised the money to do it.”
OK Go
Grammy Award-winning Rock Band
“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.”
Taylor McFerrin
Musician, Producer, DJ
That evening at The Soraya felt like a grand event…it felt like a culmination of my development as a musician.
Dan Guerrero
Director & Producer
“The Soraya really thinks through how to make a memorable experience, not only for the audience but also for those on stage.”
Deirdre Larkin
Trustee, Christine & Owen Smith Trust
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.
Chris DeDominic, Luis Luque, Andrea Ramirez, and Jared Shahar
Past Interns
“The Soraya cares not just about the shows, but its audience members, the donors, and the students at Northridge.”
Kara Hill
Lead Architect & Designer
“It had to be that the stage and the audience were one.”
Richard Kaufman
Conductor & CSUN Alumnus
“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.”
Rosanne Cash
Grammy Award-winning Singer-Songwriter & Author
“Your audience—they’re real music people…They’re coming to participate and they’re coming to feel their feelings.”