San Diego Students Shine at Arts Foundation Fundraiser

Students from San Diego Unified School District lit up the stage with dance, music, and theater performances that reminded a packed venue why arts education matters. The VAPA Foundation's "Applause for a Cause" event on May 7 wasn't just another fundraiser—it was a celebration of young creativity.

The evening brought together donors, educators, and families at San Diego's JULEP Venue. Between cocktails and conversation, attendees watched students demonstrate the skills they've developed through programs funded by the nonprofit foundation.

The foundation honored Phyllis Epstein and Doreen Schonbrun for their support of arts education in the district, which serves over 95,000 students across 180 schools. Five of those schools call La Jolla home.

VAPA Foundation Executive Director Katelyn Woodside and board Chairman Carlos Cristiani helped lead the celebration. Event co-chairs Russ Sperling and Colleen Ergastolo brought the community together for the foundation's sixth year of supporting visual and performing arts.

The Ripple Effect

When schools invest in arts education, students gain more than performance skills. They build confidence, learn collaboration, and discover new ways to express themselves. The VAPA Foundation fills funding gaps that many public schools face, ensuring students have access to music, theater, dance, and visual arts programs regardless of their family's income.

The organization's work touches thousands of young lives each year. Every performance at this year's gala represented hours of practice, dedicated teachers, and donors who believe creativity deserves a place in every classroom.

These students aren't just learning to sing or dance—they're discovering passions that could shape their futures while enriching San Diego's cultural community today.