2014
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 Anesthesiology at the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics. He later practiced as an assistant professor and Chronic Pain Clinic Director at The Department of Anesthesiology at Queen’s University, Kingston, ON, Canada for seven years, and in private practice for three years in upstate New York. Before moving to North America, Dr. Borshch practiced as a general surgeon in the former USSR.
2013
Drs. Michelle and Eric Miller
Dr. Eric Miller is originally from Pittsburgh, PA and founded the Central Texas Pain Center in 2004 in New Braunfels, Texas. His practice now has over 7,000 patients. He earned his B.A. in Biology from Washington and Jefferson College in 1995 and his medical degree from Baylor College of Medicine in 1999. He completed a one year internship at Mercy Hospital of Pittsburgh and then completed both his anesthesiology residency and pain fellowship at Duke University. He is the owner of Hunter’s Creek Pharmacy and Positive Returns, a medical billing company. He is also a general partner for New Braunfels Sports and Spine Physical Therapy Center. Dr. Miller is the President of MBAW’s Board of Directors, and in his spare time he enjoys travel with his family, tennis, and golf.
Originally from Detroit, Michigan, Dr. Michelle Miller spent 13 years dancing in the Nutcracker Ballet at the historic Fox Theater. She earned her B.S. in Neurobiopsychiatry from the University of Michigan, then spent two years living in Costa Rica teaching English as a Second Language and experiencing the pura vida. She met and married Dr. Eric Miller at the Baylor College of Medicine, completed her residency in Pediatrics at the University of North Carolina in 2005, and then took a few years off to raise their three children, Mia, Marcus and Mikaela. She has been practicing Pediatrics at Corridor Primary Care in San Marcos for the past six years. Michelle and Eric are truly passionate about the arts and enjoy the adventures of nurturing this love in their children and in the community.
2012
Carolyn A. Seale and Carol Lee Klose
“While waiting for the concert to begin, you read the printed program to see what music will be played and who will be playing it. With remarkable frequency, a line of type near the bottom of the page contains words to this effect: The appearance by tonight’s guest artist is made possible by a generous gift from Carolyn A. Seale and Carol Lee Klose.”
These words written by music critic Mike Greenberg highlight the enormous impact of Carolyn A. Seale’s and Carol Lee Klose’s generous patronage of the San Antonio cultural scene. Over the years they have championed and supported many cultural arts organizations in our city – the San Antonio Symphony, the San Antonio Chamber Music Society, Musical Bridges Around the World, and many more worthy organizations. Their generosity has truly changed and enhanced our city beyond measure.
The world of performing arts in San Antonio is eternally grateful to Carolyn and Carol – for their time, their incredible leadership, their financial support, and most of all – their passionate love of music and the arts! We thank you from the bottom of our hearts.
2011
Sheila Swartzman, MD
Born in Johannesburg, South Africa, Sheila Swartzman, MD immigrated to the US in 1972. Dr. Swartzman earned her MD at University of Witwatersrand Medical School, in Johannesburg, South Africa, and was a Fellow of Royal College of Physicians (FRCPC), at the University of Toronto, Canada (Anesthesiology). Dr. Swartzman moved to San Antonio in 1979, and has made her home here ever since. She is a long time, avid supporter of the San Antonio Chamber Music Society, Tuesday Musical Club, Camerata San Antonio, Opera San Antonio, and Houston Grand Opera. Dr. Swartzman was a founder and first Board President of Musical Bridges Around The World. Currently, Dr. Swartzman is a Board Member of the San Antonio Symphony, the San Antonio International Piano Competition, as well as the Board President of the Cactus Pear Music Festival. She is married to Dr. Kenneth Bloom, Pediatric Cardiologist, and Board Member of the San Antonio Chamber Music Society. Together they have two children, Dianne and Rob.
2010
Dr. Gustavo J. Medellin
In 2001, Musical Bridges found a new patron in Dr Gustavo J. Medellin, who wanted to see Chamber Music performed “in chambers,” as it was designed hundreds of years ago! Across Europe, music was performed in parlors and palaces before small, private audiences who loved the intimacy of a performance where the instruments and musicians were just a few feet away. There is nothing quite like it for a true musical experience!
Dr. Medellin created the Musica Viva series and has continuously sponsored its existence as his personal commitment to great music in San Antonio. The concerts are performed in beautiful homes around San Antonio four times a year. Along with great music, Musica Viva members enjoy great food and wine, along with the company of the performing artists and guests after the show.
While Musica Viva concerts are great entertainment, they also serve as a major fundraiser for Musical Bridges’ other concert events. The revenues raised through Musica Viva memberships (priced at $1000 for two adults*) help to underwrite the cost of several free concerts offered to San Antonio residents and visitors year round.
*as of September 2013. This may not reflect the current price.