The Young Artists Opera Program at the Bolshoi Theater

 

Young Artists Opera Program
Image: bolshoi.ru

William Seegmiller managed The Seegmiller Law Firm, his private legal Newport Beach, California, practice, for more than three decades. A philanthropist, William Seegmiller is a patron of the arts and sponsors a ballerina at the famed Bolshoi Ballet in Moscow, Russia.

The legendary Bolshoi Ballet was established in 1776 when Catherine II bestowed upon Prince Pyotr the privilege of producing theater performances at the Bolshoi Theater in Moscow. Since then, the theater has continued to curate and develop critically acclaimed productions.

In 2009, the theater launched the Young Artists Opera Program, which invites talented young singers and pianists to study various disciplines, including voice studies, acting, and stage movement. Most notably, these young artists are able to attend master classes led by famous singers and coaches. Program participants are also granted the opportunity to perform on stage at theater productions and many go on to successful careers and appearances on some of the best stages in the world, including the Metropolitan Opera in New York and the Opera de Paris in France.

Special Olympics Welcomes Pair of New International Board Members

 

Special Olympics
Image: SpecialOlympics.org

William Seegmiller is a retired personal injury attorney who owned and operated his own California-based firm for over 35 years and earned professional recognition from publications such as Orange County Business Journal and Orange County Register. In retirement, William Seegmiller has focused his energies on philanthropic endeavors, and regularly contributes to Special Olympics.

The governing authority of the Special Olympics is its International Board of Directors, which is composed of athletes as well as leaders in business, government, disability, and entertainment sectors. In November of 2017, the board announced the new appointments of Dr. Shi Derong and Dr. Clement Chileshe at the headquarters of The Coca-Cola Company, which is a founding partner of Special Olympics. As per board rules, both members were elected to three-year terms and are eligible to be re-elected twice for a total of nine years of service.

Dr. Shi is the co-founder and chief advisor of Shanghai, China’s Dongyi Capital as well as a member of its investment decision committee. He previously served as chief of Shanghai’s Civil Affairs Bureau. Dr. Chileshe, meanwhile, is heavily involved in athletics in Zambia. He serves as Special Olympics Zambia’s vice board chairperson and director of the country’s Olympic Youth Development Centre.