Mission and Purpose

The mission of the Definiens Project is to build new and diverse classical music audiences by providing innovative chamber music performances and educational music programs. Showcasing new music by living and local composers is a primary goal. We create opportunities for the public to discover and enjoy chamber music, not only for its power to inspire imagination, but also its ability to create shared experiences that build community. Our vision is that classical music appreciation and creation is accessible to all people.

Our programs strive to transcend the stereotype of classical music as an exclusive art form reserved for the elderly, “educated” and upper classes. We passionately believe that music, regardless of genre, belongs to everyone. Our primary strategy in reaching our mission is to bring classical music to the public. We offer fun, interactive, and inventive classical music concerts in intimate, easy to access, community settings such as libraries, galleries, parks, art centers and churches. All of our performances provide artistically excellent classical music for free or minimal cost. This is in sharp contrast to typical classical music performances that are generally longer in length, very expensive to attend, and take place in formal, and often intimidating, concert venues.

History

The Definiens Project is a seven year-old 501(c)3 non-profit chamber music organization. A group of seasoned classical musicians who passionately believe that all music, belongs to all people created Definiens. The organization was founded on the basic premise that chamber music, in particular, has the potential to be shared, understood, and loved by a broader audience than traditionally regarded. Since its inception, we have implemented new approache to performance in a range of non-traditional venues including the Jazz Bakery, the Culver Hotel, Club Tropical, local art galleries, private homes, churches, libraries, and coffee houses. These performances have developed into regular concert series in multiple local communities, including Culver City, Long Beach, South Pasadena, and West L.A. We have attracted hundreds of people who have never previously attended a chamber or classical music performance; many are now regular audience attendees and chamber music enthusiasts.

For the last five years, The Definiens Project has developed its Education Program, which includes our University Residency Programs that was initiated at UCLA in 2006. Our Musical Adventures Series, interactive musical stories for children and families, has won multiple grants allowing us to perform in numerous Los Angeles communities, libraries and schools at no cost to the families.

Staff and Board Members

Carter Dewberry, President of the Board
Greg Milliren, Vice Preseident
Brian Driscoll, Treasurer
Jenni Brandon, Secretary
Jeanette Louise Yaryan, Board Member
Ryan Zwahlen, Executive Director and Board Member

Michael Kreiner, Program Manager
Jennifer Stevenson, Education / Outreach Manager
Dante De Silva, Program Advisor
Anu Athanikar, Development Consultant
Pia Guererro, Development Consultant