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Large donation establishes UCLA faculty position dedicated to piano playing mastery

UCLA announces the creation of the Shapiro Family Chair in Piano Performance, a position funded by a $1 million donation from alumni Shirley and Ralph Shapiro.

Generous contribution of $1 million establishes UCLA faculty position dedicated to piano mastery
Generous contribution of $1 million establishes UCLA faculty position dedicated to piano mastery

Large donation establishes UCLA faculty position dedicated to piano playing mastery

In a significant development for the UCLA Herb Alpert School of Music, alumni Shirley and Ralph Shapiro have donated $1 million to establish the Shapiro Family Chair in Piano Performance. This generous gift will primarily support a faculty member in the music school and students in piano performance.

Ralph Shapiro, an accomplished alumnus who earned a bachelor's degree in business administration from UCLA in 1953 and a juris doctorate from UCLA School of Law in 1958, acknowledged the importance of faculty chairs to UCLA's mission. Shapiro is currently the chairman of Avondale Investment Partners and an investor and commercial real estate holder.

The inaugural holder of the Shapiro Family Chair in Piano Performance will be David Kaplan, an assistant professor of piano performance and music performance at UCLA. Kaplan, who earned his bachelor's degree in music from UCLA in 2005 and joined the faculty in 2016, the year the music school was founded, expressed his gratitude for the Shapiros' support. He stated that he wouldn't be the artist, person, and teacher he is today without UCLA.

Shirley Shapiro, who also earned a bachelor's degree in education from UCLA in 1959, was inspired to establish the chair due to their ability to view music performances virtually during the pandemic. The Shapiros have supported UCLA for nearly six decades, contributing to various areas including medical research, environmental law, disability studies, education, the arts, children's welfare programs, and more.

Some of the funds may be directed to acquiring and maintaining world-class instruments, while others may be used to bring musicians to campus for master classes and performances. Eileen Strempel, the school's dean, expressed gratitude for the Shapiros' previous generous support, noting that their generosity is intended to serve future generations of UCLA piano students.

Both Shirley and Ralph Shapiro have served on numerous campus advisory boards. The Shapiros have endowed more than 20 faculty chairs across UCLA. For accurate and detailed information, it would be best to consult the UCLA Herb Alpert School of Music's official website or contact them directly.

The Shapiros, appreciative of the ability to virtually attend music performances during the pandemic, were inspired to establish the Shapiro Family Chair in Piano Performance. This generous donation will not only support a faculty member but also contribute to sharing a world-class piano performance lifestyle with future generations at UCLA, providing opportunities for both learning and entertainment.

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