Today we’d like to introduce you to Debora Wondercheck.
Coming from humble beginnings as the youngest of seven children from north Chicago, Debora Wondercheck (M.S., Ed) saw the life-changing impact that music had on her family. Through hard work and dedication, she and her siblings were able to attend the universities of their choice as string musicians.
Recognizing the profound effect that high-quality arts opportunities had on her own life and those around her, and how the arts changed the trajectory of her life, Debora used her passion to create and establish the Arts & Learning Conservatory (ALC). Inspired by her mother’s faith in God and determination to see that her children would have equitable access to an arts education that was denied her, Debora embarked on a similar journey to give all children this same exposure to the arts regardless of their background or experience.
What began as a summer camp in 2004 for just thirteen string musicians and eight actors has now grown to serve over 1,200 children every year. Debora’s dream of “paying it forward” through creating arts opportunities to help the most vulnerable youth see and fulfill their potential is being realized and has become the heart of ALC. In addition to envisioning and creating 40 music and arts programs in 40 schools, Debora continues to embrace her community by serving as an Arts Consultant to school districts, participating on the Orange County Department of Education Music Arts Administrators Board, the ArtsOC Board, and serving the CA Arts Council in Sacramento.
Debora is an accomplished Master Teacher of string pedagogy, having taught at Irvine and Newport-Mesa Unified School Districts, the Waldorf School of Orange County, and her alma mater Vanguard University. She has received honors for her dedication and creation of effective arts and education programs to youth. Some key awards/recognitions include: CA Legislator, Non-Profit of Distinction; National Youth Arts Award; Orange County Business Journal, Women in Business nomination; Leader of Influence Award; Arts Orange County’s Arts Organization of the Year, and California State University Fullerton Gianneschi Fellow.
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
Wow. I love this question. As an African American woman that started a Performing Arts School in Orange County, I would say “yes” there were many struggles along the way. The mission of our non-profit is “to bring equitable and accessible arts programs to all children no matter their cultural background or experience.” Growing up as a cellist, and now an orchestral conductor and business leader, my life was full of having to “prove” my worth to “sit at the table” so to speak.
In creating the Conservatory, I doubted myself, but not because of my ability, for at the time of starting the program, I was a college professor of music, master teacher and honors orchestra director. Any doubt that ALC would succeed was, at first, due to my age when starting the company, and then my ethnicity, as it was sadly rare to see a Black woman, especially in Orange County leading a business.
As my organization grew in quality and name, there were many instances where people were taken aback by “who” was directing the Arts & Learning Conservatory. I remember one situation where I was checking into a school office to observe one of my teaching artists. The administrative assistant asked who I was, I stated my name, and with a confused and surprised look she said, “You’re Debora Wondercheck? Oh, I thought you’d look more like me” ( she was white, in her early 60’s ). I kindly replied, “We may not look alike, but I bet you’ll remember me from this point on, right?” She smirked and I smiled as I left for the classroom.
In 2007, ALC expanded to bring music and theatre programs directly to school campuses, as this was the time many districts began to cut music out of schools due to the state-wide financial crisis. The programs we administrate are top-notch, very diverse, producing high talent due to the care and detail our professional team brings to the wonderful children that we serve here in our community.
Arts & Learning Conservatory – what should we know? What do you do best? What sets you apart from the competition?
Arts & Learning Conservatory is a performing arts school that specializes in bringing high-quality arts to students k-12 in theatre, musical theatre, voice, instrumental music- band/strings, and dance. We level the playing field by offering these programs to our most vulnerable children – at little or no fee. As a non-profit, we ensure that everyone who comes to us is valued and treated with respect. We have a culture of creativity and confidence in learning that sets our students up for success in life.
What sets us apart from others? There is no one like us. We are unique. No other organization in the OC does all that we do:
- 16 years of proven experience, providing successful programs for K-12 throughout Orange and LA Counties
- string orchestra/band/musical theatre/theatre/voice/dance programs
- Envisioned and created 40 arts programs in 40 schools in this short time frame
- National award winning instruction
- We are a family (teaching artists that care and have a high standard)
- We strive for and succeed a providing inclusive programming
What is “success” or “successful” for you?
Long term – Helping children in our communities in a meaningful way, while providing them the freedom, and voice to be more than they ever imagined. I have had the privilege of hearing story after story of how past students of mine, and Conservatory artists are now realizing their dreams of becoming actors, choreographers, directors themselves. While others have gone on to become successful in teaching, business and numerous other fields.
And short term – When I see a production of our youth or an instrumental concert, and I see the smiles on the faces of all involved- knowing the struggles many students overcame to get there, I see success. Giving our students the opportunity to create a sense of accomplishment (master a musical phrase, or complete a song) that is the success that drives me every day.
Pricing:
- Conservatory 8 week classes (voice, acting, dance) $200
- Participation fee per musical $375-$450
- Annual fee for Strings/Band Classes $550‐$650yr
- Private lessons $40 for a 1/2 hour
Contact Info:
- Address: 151 Kalmus Drive Suite G-3
Costa Mesa, CA 92626 - Website: artsandlearning.org
- Phone: 7146237150
- Email: [email protected]
- Instagram: @artsandlearning
- Facebook: artsandlearning
- Twitter: artsandlearning
- Yelp: Arts & Learning Conservatory
Image Credit:
Photography by Leslie Bird Studios
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