From The Rivard Report, 3 November 2014 By: Rudy Arispe While teaching piano at college and performing as a concert pianist in her native Moscow, Anya Grokhovski still found time to gather at friends’ homes to perform, sing, and celebrate with good food and drink. When she and her first husband arrived in San Antonio in 1991 for teaching positions at the University of Texas at San Antonio, Grokhovski continued that musical tradition with new friends. It was through these small, festive gatherings that the seeds were planted for Musical Bridges Around the World (MBAW) after a group of music lovers, mostly physicians, helped raise...
What’s wrong with you!
Vienna! There is so much to see! I decided to visit the Leopold Museum in my remaining time before our ship’s departure. The ticket’s roster listed all the usual categories, adult, senior, student and in addition to it one I had never seen before- unemployed! Funny! In US I believe the thing is, if you do not have a job-go get it! I came to the counter and announced that I am employed and need one ticket please. The guy at the ticket counter smiled recognizing that I must be American “ Yes, we are a socialistic country and this is the way things are.” I entered the museum with great anticipation. Within the span of a few decades, the...
MBAW Board Member, Entrepreneur of the Year
Musical Bridges Around the World is extremely proud and excited to announce that Board Member Susan Franklin and her husband Aubra Franklin have been honored as the 2014 Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year! We are so thankful to such a successful Board of Directors as we prepare for our 17th season! From Austin Business Journal, June 6, 2014 By: Colin Pope, Editor Aubra and Susan Franklin started their entrepreneurial journey in 1995, and since then the Franklin brand based in San Antonio has been a market leader for senior housing. Aubra Franklin in chairman and CEO of Franklin Companies, a business that takes on development,...
Premier Pain Consultants Jazz Party
Saturday, guests of Premier Pain Consultants of San Antonio enjoyed a luscious Jazz party at the home of its founders Dr. Dmitry and Polina Buyanov. This party was purchased in May 2013 at the Annual Musical Bridges Gala With the Stars at the Saint Anthony’s Hotel Grand Ball Room as a way to support Musical Bridges. Seventy-five guests of Dmitry and Polina spent a fantastic evening with great food, wine, friends and Jazz by San Antonio legends Aaron and George Prado. Musical Bridges expresses its gratitude to Premier Pain Consultants and Drs. Dmitry and Polina Buyanov for their...
MBAW Follows the Silk Road to New York
Musical Bridges Around the World’s (MBAW) Artistic Director, Dr. Anya Grokhovski just returned from New York where she observed the Silk Road Project’s community outreach educational program. The purpose of this trip was for Anya to “learn the ropes” of a long term in-school, multi-cultural educational initiative. This program has been in existance for many years and helped MBAW learn how to create a sustainable multi-cultural educational program in San Antonio Title One schools. MBAW has been working with individual musicians from the Silk Road Project for many years and it was wonderful to see them involved in...
Musical Bridges team visits the Tobin!
On Wednesday, May 21, in anticipation of moving to the Tobin Center for the Performing Arts, Musical Bridges Board of Directors, staff and Musical Viva members took a construction site tour to see the progress. The venue looks spectacular already despite the fact that it is not finished yet. Parts of an old San Antonio historic landmark, Municipal Auditorium, are preserved and enhanced by the contrast with new glass and stainless steel elements that bring this structure into the 21 century. All three venues, HEB Performance Hall (will seat 1800 people), the Alvarez Studio Theater (will seat 250 people) and River Walk Plaza (will seat 600)...
MBAW Annouces 2014 Award Recipients
Musical Bridges Around the World is proud to announce the recipients of its honorary 2014 awards! Lifetime Visionary Award for Music Patronage-Dr. Yurii & Elena Borshch Dr. Yurii & Elena Borshch have become a leading light in the San Antonio arts and music patronage scene. Because of their dedication and support, San Antonio audiences have been given access to world class music performances free of charge. In immeasurable ways, they have provided both inspiration and financial support to improve San Antonio’s cultural scene. Dr. Yurii Borshch obtained his Fellowship in Pain Management and completed his residency in...
Welcome Veronika Liskova to the MBAW Board!
MBAW is proud to announce our newest Board Member Veronika Liskova! Veronika Liskova was born and raised in Prague, Czech Republic where she earned her Bachelors and Masters degrees in Corporate Management and European Economic Integration at the University of Economics. An internship visa allowed her visit to San Antonio and co-own Alamo Photographic, a successful photography studio in Alamo Heights. Within 8 years of managing Alamo Photographic, they expanded to Austin and began servicing clients internationally. In 2011, she decided on a career change and accepted a position at a global bank as a Business Banker. Veronika is an avid...
¡Viva Havana! Musical Bridges Annual Gala
¡Viva Havana! An evening of Cuban Cuisine, Sultry Salsa and Cuba Libres! Join us at the new Tobin Center for the Performing Arts for a Gala with the Stars like you’ve never experienced before! Cohiba & Mojito Level Sponsors will enjoy a VIP Champagne Reception in the exclusive Founders’ Lounge, while Cuba Libres and mouthwatering Empanadas float through the Grand Lobby as patrons peruse an array of irresistible Silent Auction Items. Following the Reception, guests will flow into the Rotundas as performance stations appear for dinner – a Mariquita display with Chimichurri Roasted Loin and Papas Rellenas delight! As appetites are...
Duo AleAnya Visits UT Austin
Musical Bridges Artistic Director Anya Grokhovski and Alena Gorina (Duo AleAnya) performed at University of Texas at Austin on April 10th, 2014. Duo AleAnya performed their Rachmaninoff, Scriabin, Shostakovich piano program for the class of Professor of Slavic Studies Gilbert C. Rappaport. Mr. Rappaport and the class was very thankful for Duo AleAnyas visit-for sharing their gift of artistic performance and personal enthusiasm for what they do! Alena Gorina and Anya Grokhovski are concert pianists with extensive concert experience as both soloists and chamber musicians who came together to share their love of piano repertory. Their...
Welcome Suhail Arastu, New Director of Development & Marketing
Muscial Bridges is excited to announce a new addition to our musical family! After an extensive search conducted by the Board of Directors and CEO-Suhail Arastu was selected as Musical Bridges new Director of Development & Marketing. Suhail’s worldly experience and exceptional communication skills won over the selection committee! Suhail joined MBAW’s Board of Directors as a member in 2010 and became Vice President in 2013. During this time he proved to be a brilliant developer. Last month he resigned from the Board of Directors and stepped into the “crystal shoes” of Director of Development & Marketing....
“Taal-Mudra” Indian Fusion Fundraiser
North Star Gives
MBAW Development Director Suhail Arastu was one of eight men and women honored for their crusade for public good at North Star Gives, last Thursday March 20, 2014. Guests enjoyed a swanky atmosphere with fashion shows by Saks Fifth Avenue, music, cocktails, and hors d’oeuvres during the two hour event at the North Star Mall last week. Tickets were $20.00 per person in advance or $30.00 at the door and sales went directly to the charity from which they were purchased. Along with Musical Bridges; Time Dollar Community Garden and Food Pantry, Viola’s Huge Heart, Care, Respite Care, Marrow Me, San Antonio Book Festival, San Antonio...
North Star Gives
Make...
BJ’s Restaurant Partners with MBAW
Musical Bridges Around the World would like to announce a new and exciting partnership with BJ’s Restaurant in Stone Oak! Marketing Manager Kim Adamski called the MBAW office after hearing a radio segment about the Kids to Concerts and other MBAW programs. Ms. Adamski recruited 12 of her staff members to volunteer at the Kids’ World Music Festival on February 25th. BJ’s corporate office will be writing a check which will be matched by MBAW’s generous Board of Directors-as well as providing food for all of the festival...