Check Out Parnassus Society’s Story

Today we’d like to introduce you to Parnassus Society.

Hi Parnassus, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
The Parnassus Society was founded by Dr. and Mrs. Kenneth Tokita, longtime patrons of the arts whose deep appreciation for music and visual art inspired them to want to contribute tothe cultural community of Orange County. Drawing on years of engagement with artistic traditions around the world and their own extensive support of artists, the Tokitas envisioned an organization that would both celebrate exceptional artistry and nurture the next generation of musicians. With the support of respected members of the local arts and academic community, they established the Parnassus Society as a place where emerging talent could learn, perform, and grow alongside stellar professional artists who are also from the community. What began with the Tokitas’ passion and vision has since developed into a vibrant cultural platform dedicated to creating opportunities for young musicians, presenting innovative performances, and enriching the arts in Orange County.

I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
The journey of Parnassus has been marked by both blessings and challenges. One of our greatest blessings has been our collaboration with Soka Performing Arts Center, an architectural and acoustic gem set on a beautiful campus. Its extraordinary acoustics bring depth and dimension to the sound world we strive to create, making each performance a truly special experience. We are also deeply grateful for our current board members, who are brilliant, compassionate individuals whose dedication and guidance have been instrumental in moving Parnassus forward. As we look to the future, our greatest challenge remains securing the financial support necessary to sustain and expand our work, ensuring that Parnassus can continue to nurture emerging artists and bring exceptional musical experiences to our community.

Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
What truly sets Parnassus apart is our commitment to presenting performances at a world-class level while creating meaningful opportunities for exceptional young artists from our own community. The principal artists we present are internationally acclaimed musicians performing at the very highest levels of their profession, and we bring that same standard of excellence to everything we do.

For many years, Parnassus has been proud to contribute to the Great Pianists Series at Soka Performing Arts Center, bringing some of the world’s most distinguished pianists to Orange County. Artists we have presented include Marc-André Hamelin, Leif Ove Andsnes, Angela Hewitt, Sir András Schiff, Garrick Ohlsson, and others. Our programming also extends to exceptional chamber musicians and ensembles, including the Dover Quartet and Omer Quartet, as well as outstanding instrumentalists such as cellist Nathan Le and violinist Emily Uematsu. Through these performances, we strive to give Orange County audiences access to artistry of truly international caliber.

That same commitment is at the heart of our opera productions. In recent seasons, we have presented Puccini’s Madama Butterfly and Tosca, with La Bohème planned for the upcoming season. What makes these productions particularly meaningful is the way internationally acclaimed principal artists share the stage with remarkable young performers from our community. Our collaborations with the Classical Voice Conservatory at Orange County School of the Arts and the All-American Boys Chorus have been especially inspiring. Despite their young age, these artists consistently rise to meet the extraordinary level of the professionals around them.

It is thrilling to witness that exchange. We are not simply giving young musicians an opportunity to appear onstage; we are inviting them into a professional artistic environment where excellence is created and where they can experience firsthand what it means to perform alongside artists at the top of their field. At the same time, our audiences experience performances in which internationally recognized artistry and extraordinary local talent come together in a very immediate and personal way.

That intersection—world-class performance, exceptional young talent, mentorship, and community—is what we believe makes Parnassus distinctive, and it is one of the things of which we are most proud.

How do you define success?
For us, success is when the music we create resonates in the hearts of our audience. If, even for a moment, it can lift them beyond the routines and demands of everyday life and transport them somewhere meaningful, beautiful, or unexpected, then we consider that a success.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.parnassussociety.org
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/parnassussociety/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ParnassusSociety/

Image Credits
Image by Pablo Cabrera