UMS 2020/21 Annual Report

142ND SEASON
2020/21
ANNUAL REPORT

2020/21 Season in Review
Letter From Our President
STAY
PRESENT.
For the first time since our founding
in 1879, UMS did not present any live,
indoor concert performances in the
2020/21 season — but our impact on
the community continued through an
expansion of digital programming that
reached audiences all over the world.
As a lockdown that we initially thought
might last a month or two extended
into six months, and ultimately an
entire season, we both situationally
and intentionally moved from
uncertainty to fortitude, from disbelief
to resilience, and from disruption to
innovation and evolution.
Despite the change in the way we
delivered our programs in the 2020/21
season, we remained successful in
fulfilling our mission of connecting
audiences and artists in uncommon
and engaging experiences and, with all
of our digital programs being offered
at no cost, we transcended both
economic and geographic boundaries,
with individuals in 65 countries across
six continents viewing UMS programs.
People and the human connection
have always been the heart and soul
of our business: certainly our artists,
audiences, and supporters, but also
the incredible staff that makes it all
happen. I’m proud to report that over
the past year, we kept our entire staff
fully employed throughout all of the
uncertainty, a commitment we made
early on to take care of those who are
so critical to the work that we do in
the community. We also continued to
support artists by investing in new
work that will have a lasting impact. All
of this was possible in because of the
steadfast support of the University of
Michigan and the many donors who
continued to support our work.
For many of our staff, this past year
was a time of learning and professional
growth, both by developing new skill
sets that can be applied immediately
and by diving into visioning and
planning exercises that will allow us
to come back from the pandemic in an
even stronger position. We also took
the social issues that exploded in the
public consciousness over the past 18
months as a call to action for our staff
and spent a lot of time interrogating
how we can become a more anti-racist
organization in all that we do.
The lessons learned from this most
unusual year will continue to guide
us in the future. There is no “back to
normal” for us at UMS, but a thoughtful
and ongoing progression toward a new
way of implementing our work.
We thank all of you for standing by
us this past year, for your words of
support and appreciation, and for your
generosity in seeing us through an
extraordinary moment. While none of
us foresaw what the 2020/21 season
would bring, we can confidently say that
we are ready for what comes next —
next season and into the future. As we
look forward, particularly to our 150th
season in 2029, we have a renewed
commitment, a clarity of purpose, and
a shared understanding of our vision to
be an ever-present and positive force
in bringing our community together.
With deep gratitude for all of you who
made this season possible,
Matthew VanBesien
President, UMS
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Our Mission
Our Values
TO INSPIRE
INDIVIDUALS AND
ENRICH COMMUNITIES
BY CONNECTING
AUDIENCES AND
ARTISTS IN UNCOMMON
AND ENGAGING
EXPERIENCES
OUR VALUES
INCLUSIVENESS AND ACCESSIBILITY
We seek the broadest possible
participation in accomplishing our
mission involving artists, audiences, and
ourselves, celebrating different cultures,
perspectives, and experiences.
RESPECT AND TRANSPARENCY
We treat every individual with courtesy
and genuine concern; we celebrate
contributions from different cultures
and seek mutual understanding; we are
straightforward, open, and honest in all of
our professional and personal interactions
with others.
INNOVATION AND TRADITION
We value the importance of nurturing,
investing in and presenting new artistic
work and ideas, understanding that not all
attempts will be successful; at the same
time, we will celebrate and present the
cultural and artistic legacy of the best
traditional works of art.
PARTICIPATION AND COLLABORATION
We seek the active involvement of those
who share our love of the arts, and we
strive to establish partnerships with artists,
individuals, groups, and organizations that
will help us foster our mission.
LEADERSHIP AND STEWARDSHIP
We expect to achieve sustained excellence
in all aspects of our organization. We
anticipate being a model for peers to
emulate, and we, in turn, seek to learn from
and incorporate the best practices of each
of them. We value those who contribute
their time and resources and will manage
UMS to provide a healthy and robust
organization for all who follow.
COMMITMENT TO BEING AN
ANTI-RACIST ORGANIZATION
We are committed not just to “not being
racist,” but to being actively Anti-Racist.
We recognize our privilege as a respected
arts presenter with a broad platform
and use our resources to champion the
power of art to tell important stories about
the breadth of the human experience,
providing further opportunities for public
discourse around socially-engaged
artistic work. We have begun to deepen
our diversity, equity, and inclusion work
internally and externally, moving beyond
representation into meaningful action and
advocacy.
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2020/21 Season in Review
Digital Artist Residencies
DIGITAL ARTIST
RESIDENCIES
MANY THANKS TO THE
FUNDERS WHO MADE THESE
DIGITAL ARTIST RESIDENCIES
POSSIBLE:
Early on, UMS developed a Digital
Artist Residency program as a way
of supporting artists in the creation
of new work while touring and live
performances ground to a halt. With
these projects, UMS moved into the
role of producer and commissioner,
providing financial support to six
signature artistic projects, ranging
from the famous to the lesser known
and from international to regional,
to develop new work in the digital
space. In addition to developing
the final output, these residencies
provided a platform for artists
to participate in a rich fabric of
community activity — from public
listening parties to virtual class
visits behind the scenes.
Carol Amster
Maurice and Linda Binkow
Commission on Middle Eastern
American Affairs
Julia Darlow and John O’Meara Stephen
and Rosamund Forrest Beverley and
Gerson Geltner
Anne and Paul Glendon
Susan and Richard Gutow
Norman and Debbie Herbert
Joe Malcoun and Caitlin Klein
Jerry and Dale Kolins Endowment Fund
The Andrew W. Mellon Foundation
National Endowment for the Arts
New England for the Arts’
National Dance Project
Newmarket LLC
Tim and Sally Petersen
Linh and Dug Song
James and Nancy Stanley
UMS Sustaining Directors
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Digital Artist Residencies
Digital Artist Residencies
WENDELL PIERCE (NEW ORLEANS, LA):
SOME OLD BLACK MAN
Some Old Black Man was the most ambitious project of the
Digital Artist Residencies, with the creative team living
in a “quarantine bubble” for several weeks in Ann Arbor
while rehearsing this play by James Anthony Tyler and
undergoing frequent testing. The team, including actors
Wendell Pierce and Charlie Robinson, director Joe Cacaci,
playwright James Anthony Tyler, and stage manager
Tiffany Robinson, commuted to The Jam Handy in Detroit,
where the production was filmed with no audience. Safety
protocols were developed in close consultation with
public health officials and approved by the Screen Actors
Guild.
The filmed play premiered in January 2020 and brought
UMS national and international press from National Public
Radio, The Times of London, and The Guardian.
In addition to starring in the production,
Wendell Pierce spoke at the annual U-M
Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Summit and
participated in a post-viewing discussion
with students and faculty at the U-M College
of Engineering. James Anthony Tyler spoke
with students enrolled in UMS’s Engaging
Performance course. Faculty members
from other universities across the country,
including the University of Texas at Austin,
have reached out to incorporate the work
into their curricula as well. Later in 2022,
Some Old Black Man will premiere on PBS’s
“Great Performances” series. We are grateful
to Black Public Media for facilitating the
relationship with PBS.
BY THE NUMBERS
29,349 VIEWS
60 MI COUNTIES
50 STATES
65 COUNTRIES
6 CONTINENTS
“This was simply outstanding. I
just lost my mom on December
21, and I was her main caregiver
the last 5 years of her life.
THE EMOTIONAL
EXCHANGES BETWEEN THE
FATHER AND SON WERE
PAINFULLY FAMILIAR, AND
VERY MOVING.
I shed many tears watching this.
I also have a daughter who is
mixed race so I encountered a lot
of difficulty that was expressed
in the play with being in an
interracial relationship...I have
also learned a lot of painful truths
about systemic racism, race
relations, implicit bias, and more.
The subject matter was relatable
and hit home.”
– Dena, West Bloomfield, MI
“Thank you. I thought the play
was wonderful… Also, as a white
elderly person, I’m very proactive
trying to understand and do
something about racism in our
country. Your play brought a little
more insight to my journey.”
– Sherrie, Newcastle, OK
“So glad I heard [the] interview
w/Wendell Pierce on NPR, just
in time to catch [the] last night
of the digital broadcast. Brilliant
play and captivating acting.
Revealing about aspects about
Black life in America now and
100% applicable to my white
family dynamics, too. I cannot
say enough good things about
the play, and I am not usually a
theatre-goer!”
– Aja, Auke Bay, AK
“WORDS CANNOT EXPRESS
THE DEPTH OF GRATITUDE I
HAVE FOR UMS.
Your production team across the
board is world class and one of
the best I have ever experienced
in my career. It is because of
you that this production had a
successful launch. I see more for
this piece in the future. What we
accomplished in the middle of
the pandemic was exemplary.
The lasting impact is always the
work that you do, and the people
that you do it with. The latter of
which I will remember forever.
All of you at UMS have given
me inspiration and hope. It is an
honor working with you.”
– Wendell Pierce
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Digital Artist Residencies
Digital Artist Residencies
TUNDE OLANIRAN (FLINT, MI)
For their Digital Artist Residency, Tunde Olaniran has
been creating a series of experimental performance
works designed to coincide with the release of singles
from an upcoming mixtape and sharing their creative
process along the way. The full mixtape will be released
in spring 2022.
The first track, WDWHI (We Don’t Want To Hear It),
was released in November 2020 and coincided with
a virtual talk about the social, racial, and cultural
intersections of pop music and performance with
Tunde and fellow musicians Siena Liggins, Shara Nova,
and Olly Alexander. In May 2021, UMS streamed an
exclusive Live Session with Tunde and collaborators,
filmed at El Club in Detroit. This Live Session idea will
be revisited throughout the 2021/22 season with new
collaborators from the UMS season.
BY THE NUMBERS
679 VIEWS OF POP
BREAKDOWN
(WDWHI conversation)
999 VIEWS OF
TUNDE OLANIRAN’S
LIVE SESSION
CLEO PARKER ROBINSON (DENVER CO):
THE MAKING OF THE FOUR JOURNEYS
UMS had planned to present the Cleo Parker Robinson
Ensemble during its 50th season in January 2021 with
a new work called “The Four Journeys” choreographed
by Amalia Viviana Basanta Hernández. The pandemic
slowed — but didn’t stop — the company’s work,
although the tour was postponed. As part of the Digital
Artist Residency, filmmaker Alan Domínguez documented
the creative process, giving insight into how a new work
is developed — especially under unique circumstances
where the choreographer and the company are in
different countries and rehearsing via zoom. The 30-
minute documentary film, which included filming in both
Denver and México, where Hernández is based, premiered
in October 2021.
In addition to the film, Cleo participated in numerous
behind-the-scenes activities during the 2020/21 season,
including virtual visits with several University classes,
mentoring emerging artists through the U-M School
of Music, Theatre & Dance, and a live conversation
with Wright Museum president Neil Barclay as part
of a series hosted by the International Association of
Blacks in Dance. UMS also presented a Digital School Day
Performance featuring Cleo Parker Robinson Dance
Ensemble for K-12 audiences.
BY THE NUMBERS
55 STUDENTS FROM
VIRTUAL CLASSES
3,921 STUDENTS
registered for Cleo Parker Robinson
School Day Performance
70 HOURS OF TOTAL
FOOTAGE CAPTURED
over 8 virtual and live rehearsals in
2 countries
Over the course of the year, Tunde also visited several
U-M classes and served as one of the lead artists for
a U-M Arts Initiative project with Yo-Yo Ma called “A
Travel Guide for Talking Hearts.”
UMS first got to know artist and activist Tunde Olaniran
through Yo-Yo Ma’s Day of Action in Flint in 2019, and
Tunde subsequently recorded a track with Ma on his
latest album.
120 STUDENTS
REACHED THROUGH
CLASSES
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Digital Artist Residencies
Digital Artist Residencies
TAREK YAMANI (BEIRUT, LEBANON AND BERLIN, GERMANY) &
SPEKTRAL QUARTET (CHICAGO, IL)
Tarek Yamani was the first COVID cancellation at UMS,
with his debut scheduled for March 13, 2020. In the
run-up to that concert, Spektral Quartet violist Doyle
Armbrust interviewed Yamani for a program book
feature, and the two realized how much they had in
common artistically. During the 2020/21 season, as
Yamani worked on composing a new work for string
quartet — a first for the musician — they conducted
public “virtual listening parties” to introduce each other
to music that inspired them, and visited UMS’s signature
“Engaging Performance” class, as well as courses in
chamber music and dance. The world premiere of the
new work, Berytus, took place on October 27, 2021.
Berytus was co-commissioned by the Abu Dhabi Music
& Arts Foundation, Ltd. Additional commissioning
support was provided by the Arab American National
Museum through a grant from The Andrew W. Mellon
Foundation.
BRIAN LOBEL &
FRIENDS
(LONDON, ENGLAND):
24 ITALIAN SONGS &
ARIAS (& VOICES)
U-M alumnus Brian Lobel is a theater and performance artist now
based in England who has long been focused on themes of failure and
resilience among artists. With British soprano Gweneth-Ann Rand,
Canadian musical director and recitalist Allyson Devenish, and British
contralto Naomi Felix, Lobel’s Digital Artist Residency project was to
create a digital archive featuring video recordings of each of the 24
Italian Songs and Arias, a fundamental songbook in the repertoire of
every opera singer, sung by a diverse group of singers who would
also share their own experiences of failure. Alongside these curated
videos, singers from around the world are invited to submit their own
versions of the songs, all of which will be collected on a website,
24ItalianSongs.com and released throughout the fall of 2021.
As the website was being developed and singers contracted, Lobel
visited several U-M classes, including “Storytelling for Visual Artist”
and “Engaging Performance,” and also served as a mentor for
emerging artists in the U-M School of Music, Theatre & Dance.
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Digital Artist Residencies
JOYCE DIDONATO (BARCELONA, SPAIN):
SING FOR TODAY
Renowned mezzo-soprano Joyce DiDonato developed
a program that uses song to respond to current events
and global concerns in real time. As a precursor to her
upcoming 2021/22 season premiere of a new work
focused on the environment, this project incorporated
both songs and conversations about issues facing the
world. The series kicked off in October 2020 shortly
before the US presidential election, with Woody Guthrie’s
“This Land is Your Land” and a conversation with U-M
students involved with the Poll Hero Project alongside
Hamilton producer and U-M alumnus Jeffrey Seller. In
December, Joyce released a beautiful recording of “Silent
Night,” and on Memorial Day Weekend, she performed
“Danny Boy,” accompanied by a discussion with theater
producer Tom Kirdahy about grief, loss, and love.
BY THE NUMBERS
300,000+
VIEWS ACROSS ALL
PLATFORMS
Sing For Today was presented in partnership with
Princeton University Concerts.
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2020/21 Season in Review
Digital Presentations
DIGITAL
PRESENTATIONS
Two of these digital presentations
were especially notable:
UMS collaborated with the Ford
School of Public Policy, as part of
U-M’s Democracy and Debate theme
semester, to “bring” comedian Trevor
Noah to campus for a unique virtual
event two weeks before the 2020
Presidential Election. With only 8 days
to plan from the time the invitation
was accepted until the event took
place, UMS produced an interactive
event that included four students
from the University, including UMS’s
21st Century Artist Intern and dance
major Shannon Nulf. In just over a
week, we announced the event and
developed a new registration system,
ultimately reaching more than 10,000
views during the 10 days it was
available on demand.
In the absence of live performance, UMS
worked with artists around the world to help
audiences stay present and connected to the
beauty and creativity that the arts provide.
The programs allowed us to experiment with
new ways of delivering content, ranging from
special viewing for selected U-M and K-12
class groups to incorporating educational
and contextual content into the actual
performance.
We even had a “group sale” for one of these
events, with an alumni group in Florida
collectively watching violinist James Ehnes’s
recital with UMS University Programs
Manager Maddy Wildman providing additional
context in a real-time zoom call.
One of the most popular events
of most in-person seasons is the
Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra,
and our long relationship with
the group and its artistic director,
Wynton Marsalis, led to a series
of presentations and learning
experiences that touched nearly
every audience and community
we serve. In November, UMS
presented a digital presentation
of The Democracy Suite, a new
Marsalis composition that was
performed by the Jazz at Lincoln
Center Septet and written during
the COVID crisis as a response to
the political, social, and economic
struggles facing our nation.
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Digital Presentations
Digital Presentations
In December, our K-12 community enjoyed JLCO’s Let Freedom Swing, our first-ever
Digital School Day Performance. Over 50 schools in six different Michigan counties,
representing 6,500 students, registered to watch this digital performance — far
exceeding the in-person venue capacity that would have been available. One
school logged in from 250 miles away! Within Ann Arbor Public Schools alone,
classrooms from 27 schools viewed the performance, a level of district-wide
participation never seen before. The Detroit School of Arts High School also used
the Digital School Day Performance as the centerpiece of a day-long immersion
into the world of jazz with local musicians and jazz experts.
For lifelong learners, we offered JLCO’s
“Swing University” in January, with nearly 100
participants logging on to their computers
each week for four consecutive Wednesdays
to explore the roots of jazz in four major
cities across the US (New York, Chicago, New
Orleans, and Detroit). The program, offered in
partnership with Ann Arbor’s Department of
Recreation & Education, was so popular that
we developed a second series of four classes
all focused on Detroit in April; it was sold out
before the first session.
DIGITAL
PRESENTATIONS
Paul Taylor Dance
Group
(Sep 2020)
Takács Quartet
(Oct 2020)
Sheku Kanneh-Mason
and Isata Kanneh-
Mason
(Oct 2020)
Trevor Noah
(Oct 2020)
Cloud Gate Dance
Theatre of Taiwan
(Nov 2020)
Wynton Marsalis and
Jazz at Lincoln Center
Orchestra
(Nov 2020)
Messiah Mixtape
(Dec 2020)
Some Old Black Man
(Jan 2021)
Sphinx Virtuosi
(Jan 2021)
James Ehnes, violin
(Feb 2021)
Playing with Fire
(documentary about
conductor Jeannette
Sorrell)
(Mar 2021)
National Arab Orchestra
(Mar 2021)
Sir András Schiff, piano
(Mar 2021)
Daniel Bernard
Roumain and J’Nai
Bridges:
They Still Want to Kill Us
(May 2021)
DIGITAL PRIDE
FESTIVAL
Becca Blackwell: They,
Themself, and Schmerm
(Jun 2021)
Conspirare:
Considering Matthew
Shepard
(Jun 2021)
Taylor Mac:
Whitman in the Woods
(Jun 2021)
DIGITAL SCHOOL DAY
PERFORMANCES
Ballet Folklórico de
México de Amalia
Hernández
Caleb Teicher &
Company
Cleo Parker Robinson
Dance
Frankenstein: How
to Make a Monster –
Battersea Arts Centre
Beatbox Academy
Jazz at Lincoln
Center Orchestra:
Let Freedom Swing
Jazz at Lincoln Center
Orchestra: Who Is Joe
Williams?
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Digital Presentations
DIGITAL
BY THE
88,000+
Total Viewership – Public
Digital Presentations
20,000+
Estimated Viewership
– Digital School Day
Performances
Digital Presentations
53,894+
total hours watched of UMS
programs on Vimeo and
YouTube
NUMBERS
2
online
courses
8
lessons
PERFORMANCE
PLAYGROUND
10 Episodes
16
DIGITAL
PRESENTATIONS
6
DIGITAL
SCHOOL DAY
PERFORMANCES
$0
COST TO
VIEWERS
50
states
65
countries
$88,024
Donations supporting Digital Presentations
2,415
Gifts to support digital
presentations
1,826
new donors to
support this work
$36.48
average gift
350
new donors from
Michigan
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Digital Presentations
Digital Presentations
“I just went to an amazing jazz concert called Jazz at
Lincoln Center,
IT WAS AWESOME!! LISTENING TO THE MUSIC
WAS LIKE HAVING A BALLOON OF HAPPINESS
BEING BLOWN UP INSIDE ME!!
MANY THANKS TO THE
FUNDERS WHO MADE OUR
DIGITAL PRESENTATIONS
POSSIBLE:
It was like I was in a tornado of music, two kinds of music
actually, they were music from instruments and music
from your mouth, SINGING. There are only a few more ways
to describe the performance, and here they are: It was
like you are in this hole of blackness and suddenly music
starts flowing into the hole like water filling up a pond, and
the other way is this: it was like first it is a horrible rainy
day, but suddenly the rain stops and the sun shines so
brightly it’s like fire in the dark!! I really hope you get to
see something like that soon.”
– Third grader
Arts Midwest Touring Fund
Karen Bantel and Steve Geiringer
Carl and Isabelle Brauer Endowment Fund
State of Michigan Commission on
Middle Eastern American Affairs
Braylon Edwards
Ilene H. Forsyth Chamber Arts
Endowment Fund
Ilene Forsyth Theater Endowment Fund
Joel Howell and Linda Samuelson
“Working virtually has its benefits for differentiating student needs and
intense mentoring. The downside is not being with or participating in a
class in person.
WHAT THIS OPPORTUNITY DID WAS BRING STUDENTS
TOGETHER IN A WAY WHERE THEY COULD SHARE THEIR
FEELINGS, EXPRESS THEM PHYSICALLY AND VERBALLY AND
FEEL THEY WERE LEARNING SOMETHING AND HAVING FUN...
Students were still asking about the story, YouTube recordings and
links as recently as the last week of school.”
– Email from a teacher about Ballet Folklórico Digital School Day Performance
Patti Askwith Kenner and the
Bert’s Ticket program
The Michigan Center for Early Christian
Studies Michigan Taiwanese American
Organization Gil Omenn and Martha Darling
Anthony Reffells
Elaine and Peter Schweitzer
Helmut F. and Candis J. Stern Endowment
Fund Edward and Natalie Surovell
Louise Taylor
Susan B. Ullrich Endowment Fund
Robert O. Weisman
Valerie and Jeff Wilpon
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2020/21 Season in Review
Performance Playground
PERFORMANCE
PLAYGROUND
& OTHER K-12 ACTIVITIES
With schools largely remote, UMS wanted to provide
opportunities for students and families challenged by
pandemic circumstances. In the summer of 2020, we
utilized UMS teaching artists to pilot a new program
called Performance Playground. Based on feedback
from regional educators and other users, we developed
that pilot into a more robust program that includes a
video lesson, a set of accompanying slides that provide
background and links to additional resources, and a set of
worksheets for students to help synthesize and reinforce
learning. UMS developed 10 units during the 2020/21
season, and plan to produce five more this coming
season:
Banjo:
STRUMMIN’ ALONG
Detroit Jit:
TIME TO JIT
Djembe:
THE BEAT OF YOUR OWN
DRUM
Folkloric Ballet:
DANCING THROUGH
MÉXICO’S HISTORY
Harp:
NOT JUST ANOTHER
STRINGED INSTRUMENT
Musical Theater:
TELLING STORIES
THROUGH SONG
Oud:
A KING AMONG
INSTRUMENTS
Rap:
RHYTHM AND POETRY:
RAP AND HIP HOP
CULTURE
Slam Poetry:
SPOKEN WORD
Violin:
VIOLIN VIGNETTE
THANKS TO THE MANY
FUNDERS WHO MADE OUR K-12
PROGRAMS POSSIBLE:
All episodes feature UMS teaching artists, many of whom
regularly participate in our K-12 classroom workshops and
lost work during the pandemic. This initiative allowed us
to continue employing our teaching artists while offering a
new virtual model for engaging with our K-12 community.
All episodes are available at ums.org/playground.
David and Kiana Bar ield Family
Foundation David and Jo-Anna
Featherman
Stephen and Rosamund Forrest
The Hearst Foundation
David and Phyllis Herzig Endowment Fund
Prudence and Amnon Rosenthal K-12
Education Endowment Fund
Richard and Norma Sarns
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2020/21 Season in Review
You Can Dance - Outside!
YOU CAN DANCE
-OUTSIDE!
You Can Dance — Outside! brought joy
into people’s lives in the fall of 2020, just
when they needed it, and the program
was so successful that we expanded it in
2021. Following stringent public health
guidelines, we adapted this program, which
historically was held at the Ann Arbor Y, to
an outdoor setting, in Wheeler Park. Instead
of drawing on visiting dance companies,
we tapped into regional dance instructors
to highlight the importance of dance in
Southeast Michigan. We presented five
different workshops in styles ranging from
Modern to Tap to Detroit Jit, drawing 79
participants along the way.
“I have always
wanted to take a
dance class but
haven’t yet done so.
THIS WAS A
WONDERFUL
OPPORTUNITY
TO TRY IT OUT
I would love to take
more!”
– Ballet Folklórico and
Tap participant
“I DO NOT DANCE
... BUT I’D LIKE
TO KNOW HOW.
I WAS TERRIBLE
... BUT I DIDN’T
CARE.
It felt good to
get outside and
move... Thoroughly
enjoyed it.”
– Detroit Jit participant
You Can Dance — Outside! was funded in part by
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2020/21 Season in Review
U-M Arts Integration/Campus Engagement
U-M ARTS
INTEGRATION
CAMPUS ENGAGEMENT
Sacramento Knoxx, UMS’s
2020/21 Research Residency
Artist, is a Detroit-based, Black
and Chicano rapper, activist,
and multimedia artist whose
creative process is guided
by regional Native American
(Anishinaabe), Indigneousbased
teachings. Among
Sacramento’s digital offerings
this season, one highlight was
Manidoo-Giizisoons (Little Spirit
Moon), a live, interactive virtual
performance marking the winter
solstice. Audience members were
invited to contribute sounds via
computer microphones that were
incorporated into a new music
track that Sacramento produced
in real time.
Engaging Performance, the
UMS/U-M arts-integrative
undergraduate course offered
each Winter semester, was
co-taught by Drs. Naomi Andre
and Charli Brissey, professors
in dance and in Afroamerican
and Africans studies. Because
of the COVID-19 pandemic, the
course focus changed from
live performance to connecting
students digitally with artists
and activists who use the
performing arts to spark dynamic
conversations during challenging
times. Students participated in
virtual discussions with all six
UMS Digital Residency artists and
with Sacramento Knoxx; they also
viewed archived performances,
conducted research on
artists, and participated in
class conversations and other
experiences.
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U-M Arts Integration/Campus Engagement
U-M Arts Integration/Campus Engagement
Due to our move to all-digital
formats, UMS tapped into its
regional, national, and global
artist networks to provide
additional opportunities for
arts integration with U-M
courses. Professor Todd Allen
(“Fundamentals of Nuclear
Engineering”), for example,
worked with a local conductor
and composer to put on an
interactive concert for his
students connecting classical
music with nuclear engineering.
UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN ARTS INITIATIVE
Not long before COVID-19 shuttered
performance venues, President Mark Schlissel
and the University of Michigan announced the
startup phase of an Arts Initiative, with the goals
of enhancing students’ creative capacities to
solve problems; increasing understanding of
the human experience; catalyzing innovation
and insights through multidisciplinary research;
promoting the importance of arts in a research
university; and increasing U-M’s public
engagement through the arts. UMS President
Matthew VanBesien has served on the working
group that developed the Arts Initiative
since its inception, as well as
on the search committee
for the Arts Initiative’s first
managing director.
In the summer of 2021,
Christopher Audain was
appointed the very first
managing director of the Arts
Initiative. Chris brings a background
in grantmaking, music, and the performing arts
with a focus on increasing access and building
organizational capacity so that more people can
benefit from the transformational power of art.
Course Development faculty grantees integrated UMS digital
presentations into their coursework. Dance Professor Angela Kane
(“Writing Dancing”) incorporated UMS digital presentations from Paul
Taylor Dance Company and Cloud Gate Dance Theatre of Taiwan into
her class, and used Course Development Grant funds to hire guest
speakers who specialize in the intersection of writing and dance. U-M
faculty member Sara Alderstein-Gonzalez included a performance
in Nichols Arboretum (above) by local musician and educator Noah
Fishman and Emma Sloan in her “Restoration Ecology Applications”
class. Students learned about traditional American folk music and
bluegrass, forging connections with restoration ecology.
During the 2020/21 season, UMS was closely
involved with the initial activities of the Arts
Initiative, including serving on the steering
committee for and producing the Arts Initiative
launch event, A Travel Guide for Talking Hearts,
with Yo-Yo Ma; local artists Nour Ballout, Tunde
Olaniran, and Avery Williamson; and students from
all three U-M campuses Audrey Banks (Flint),
Constance Burroughs (Dearborn), Alyssa Melani
(Ann Arbor), and Ashwin Prakash (Ann Arbor).
UMS is also a partner for one of the curated
large-scale pilot projects supported by the Arts
Initiative, which is providing financial support for
the UMS-SMTD collaboration of Fiddler on the
Roof in Concert in February 2022.
30 2020/21 Annual Report Stay Present 31

2020/21 Season in Review Government Funding & Support
GOVERNMENT
FUNDING &
SUPPORT
PAYCHECK PROTECTION
PROGRAM
UMS applied for, and received,
support from the Paycheck
Protection Program (PPP), which
helped us keep our staff fully
employed during the COVID crisis.
In addition to the PPP loan of
$458,432 that was forgiven in
FY20, UMS received an additional
loan of $362,800 for FY21, which
we expect will also be forgiven.
We are grateful to
our partners at Bank
of Ann Arbor for
their assistance in
navigating the PPP
process.
FORWARD FUND
In April 2021, UMS announced the Forward Fund, an eightmonth
fundraising initiative to help provide funding over the
next 2-3 seasons to help offset projected operational deficits
due to both increased costs required to implement safety
measures and reduced revenues from smaller audiences.
As of November 1
316 DONORS
CONTRIBUTED
$300,512
Thanks to Bank of Ann Arbor,
which matched new gifts during
the launch of the initiative, and to
Tim and Robin Damschroder, who
provided a match in the fall.
Board Members Versell Smith and
Christina Kim talked about why
they gave to the Forward Fund.
Versell Smith
Christina Kim
32 2020/21 Annual Report
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33

2020/21 Season in Review Internal UMS News
INTERNAL
UMS NEWS
BOARD CHANGES
At the end of the 2020/21 season,
UMS recognized six outgoing board
members: Tiffany Ford, Kathy
Goldberg, Tim Johnson, Sarah Nicoli,
Knut Simonsen, and Kevin Hegarty,
as well as outgoing Ambassadors
Chair Elena Snyder.
STAFF ADDITIONS
During the FY21 season, UMS prioritized keeping our staff, who are the heart and soul of all that
we do, fully employed. We also welcomed two new staff members to our team this summer,
filling roles that had been vacated during the season:
We also want to recognize and
thank Tim Petersen, who will
continue on the Board as the past
chair. His steadfast leadership and
wise counsel was tremendously
appreciated during this unusual
year. Tim and his wife, Sally, also
demonstrated unprecedented
generosity through their lead gift
supporting the production of Some
Old Black Man.
Alexandria Davis, Community & Audience Programs Manager,
joined the UMS Education & Community Engagement team
in June 2021. She has an extensive background in dance as a
performer, educator, and choreographer, and has been active
in leading community engagement programs throughout her
career. She holds a BFA in Dance and Certificate in Dance in
Medicine from the University of Florida and recently completed
her Master’s degree in Dance Choreography at U-M. She has
over 10 years of experience in creating and leading community
and audience engagement programs through both partnerships
and individual creative projects for youth and adults in Central
Florida and in Southeastern and Western Michigan, including
Mama’s Club: Arts, Social Justice, and Advocacy Collective and
many more.
Samantha Williams, Marketing & Media Relations Manager,
joined UMS in August 2021. Sam attended Stanford University
as an opera major, where she co-founded BLACKstage Theater
Company. She completed her Master’s degree in Music at the
University of Michigan in 2020, serving as a research fellow
with the EXCEL program at SMTD as well as completing an
advancement internship with Washington (DC) Performing Arts.
In addition to her part-time role at UMS, she is finishing up her
Specialist in Music (vocal performance) degree at U-M and
developing a recital project that is examining patriotism from
three different American perspectives: African American, Native
American, and white working-class American.
As part of the annual
meeting, the UMS Board
of Directors elected new
officers and members. For
the first time, the Board will
be co-led by two women:
noted economist and
Professor of International
Relations and Economics at
Michigan State University
Lisa D. Cook and local
attorney and philanthropist
Rachel Bendit, who was
re-elected to the Board after
serving two years as the
co-chair of UMS’s National
Council.
Cook and Bendit are
joined by Vice Chair Brian
Willen, Treasurer Rob
VanRenterghem, and
Secretary Christina Kim.
34 2020/21 Annual Report Stay Present 35

Internal UMS News
Internal UMS News
The class of new board members
elected for a renewable four-year
term is composed entirely of women:
Karen Chapell, a managing partner
at Retirement Income Solutions; Dr.
Preeti N. Malani, the University of
Michigan’s Chief Health Officer; visual
artist Chrislan Fuller Manuel; and Alicia
Torres, an executive and entrepreneur
who currently serves as Chief Financial
Officer for FreightVerify. Rachel Bendit,
an attorney and mediator who served on
the Board from 2012-20 and has been
co-chair of UMS’s National Council for
the past two years, was also elected to
the Board.
Karen Chapell
Dr. Preeti N. Malani
COMMITMENT TO
ANTI-RACISM
Chrislan Fuller Manuel
Alicia Torres
EVERYBODY IN, NOBODY OUT:
INSPIRING COMMUNITY AT MICHIGAN’S
UNIVERSITY MUSICAL SOCIETY
UMS President Emeritus Ken Fischer published a
reflection of the power of the performing arts to engage
and enrich communities, not by handing down cultural
enrichment from on high, but by meeting communities
where they live and helping them preserve cultural
heritage, incubate talent, and find ways to make
community voices heard. Published in July 2020, and with
a foreword by Wynton Marsalis, Ken’s book was featured
in numerous media outlets and book talks. A portion of the
proceeds of the book were donated to UMS.
UMS initiated Diversity, Equity and Inclusion training in 2019,
engaging Art Equity for day-long and half-day workshops with
staff and board. In 2020, the murder of George Floyd and resulting
protests, along with dramatic racial disparities in healthcare
outcomes during the pandemic, prompted important discussions
among UMS staff and leadership. From these discussions emerged
a pressing need and interest for UMS to prioritize anti-racism
learning and the creation of a plan for UMS.
Working with Justin Laing from Hillombo Consulting, the entire
company, including staff and board, participated in learning
sessions and explored an adaptive leadership approach to building
antiracist practices that would disrupt our participation in systemic
racism. From these workshops, UMS developed three staff-led
“learning projects” that will continue to guide our work in this area.
Additionally, the Board has formed its own Anti-Racism Committee.
36 2020/21 Annual Report
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37

2020/21 Season in Review
Who Makes It Possible
WHO MAKES
IT POSSIBLE
Thank you to our community of donors who made
generous annual gifts and/or ticket donations to UMS
from Sep 1, 2020 – Sep 1, 2021.
These gifts were given
in support of the UMS
Annual Fund, UMS
Forward Fund, UMS
Student Experiences,
UMS Endowment
Funds, and other
special initiatives. We
are especially grateful
to those donors who
contributed to both
the Annual Fund and
the Forward Fund, as
indicated by a * on the
following pages.
We apologize in advance
for any omissions or errors
– please contact us at
umsgiving@umich.edu with
corrections.
Due to limited space, we have
listed those whose giving
totaled $250 and above. You
can view the full donor listing
on our website.
Anonymous
Goncalo and Cristen Abecasis
Judith Abrams
Diane M. Agresta
Debra Aidun
Roger Albin and Nili
Tannenbaum*
Raymond and Sandy Aldrich
Michael and Suzan Alexander
John Alexander and Carolyn
King
All Seasons
Michael Allemang and Janis
Bobrin*
James and Catherine Allen
Richard and Mona Alonzo
Christine W. Alvey
Carol Amster*
Helen and David Aminoff
Neil P. Anderson
Christiane Anderson
Sandra and David Anderson*
Dave and Katie Andrea*
Catherine M. Andrea
Carmen and Chris
Andrianopoulos
Paul M. Angell Family
Foundation
Ann Arbor Area Community
Foundation
Mrs. E. Tissy Ansbacher
Todd and Teresa Anson
Elaine and Ralph Anthony
Harlene and Henry Appelman
Meena Ariagno
Gaard and Ellen Arneson
Arts Midwest Touring Fund
Bob and Martha Ause
Stuart Baggaley and Amy
Seetoo
Menakka and Essel Bailey*
Lisa and Jim Baker
Laurence R. and Barbara K.
Baker
Reg and Pat Baker
Lynn Baldwin and Tim
McIntyre*
Christopher and Lesli Ballard
Emily W. Bandera, M.D.
Bank of Ann Arbor*
Karen Bantel and Steve
Geiringer*
Dr. Jayapalli R. Bapuraj
Dr. Carol Barbour and Dr. Sid
Gilman*
Rosalyn, Joshua and Beth
Barclay
John and Ginny Bareham
David and Monika Barera*
David and Kiana Barfield*
Richard M. Barron*
Robert and Wanda Bartlett*
Lois and David Baru
Rajeev Batra and Priscilla A
Spencer
Anne Beaubien
Gorman and Andrea
Beauchamp
Astrid B. Beck
Kenneth and Eileen Behmer*
Christina Bellows and Joe
Alberts
Rachel Bendit and Mark
Bernstein*
Elaine A. Bennett
David and Hellen Bennett*
Ronald and Linda Benson*
Kathleen Benton and Robert
Brown
Rosemary R. Berardi and
Carolyn R. Zaleon
Lynda W. Berg
Ramon and Peggy Berguer
LS Berlin and Jean McPhail
Andrew and Lisa Bernstein
Sheldon and Barbara Berry
John Billi and Sheryl Hirsch
Sara Billmann and Jeffrey
Kuras*
Maurice and Linda Binkow
Joan Binkow*
Dr. Elizabeth S. Bishop*
Mary E. Black
James Blackburn and Lynn
Videka
John Blankley and Maureen
Foley*
Bobbie and Don Blitz
Ronald and Mimi Bogdasarian
Charles and Linda Borgsdorf
Grace Jordison Boxer
Dr. and Mrs. Ralph R. Bozell
Joel Bregman and Elaine
Pomeranz*
David and Sharon Brooks*
Stephen and Faith Brown*
Craig and Vicki Brown*
Christie Brown and Jerry
Davis*
Cindy Browne
Marco and Melissa Bruzzano*
Robert and Jeannine
Buchanan
Ellen and Brian Buggy*
Tom and Lori Buiteweg*
Lawrence and Valerie Bullen
Alan J. Burg and Kenneth L.
Hillenburg D.D.S., M.S.
Charles and Joan Burleigh
Dan Burns and Smilka
Zdravkovska
Jim and Cyndi Burnstein
Tony and Jane Burton*
Edward and Mary Cady
Michelle and Andrew Caird
Sarah Nicoli Calderini
Susan and Oliver Cameron
Brian and Mary Campbell
Sally Camper and Bob Lyons
Valerie and David Canter
Thomas and Colleen Carey
Jack and Susan Carlson
Jenny and Jim Carpenter
Carolyn M. Carty
The Cass Family Charitable
Fund, in memory of Darragh
Weisman
Matt Castanier and Anne
Marsan*
A. Craig Cattell
Jack Cederquist and Meg
Kennedy Shaw
Angela Cesere and Rob
Thomas
Charlie and Karen Chapell*
Samuel and Roberta Chappell
Anne Chase
Cynthia Chase
Patricia Chatas
Barry and Marjorie Checkoway
W Peter Cherry
John and Camilla Chiapuris
Felix and Ann Chow
Beverly Ciokajlo
Mark Clague and Laura
Jackson
Cheryl and Brian Clarkson
Donald and Astrid Cleveland*
Carl Cohen
Ellen and Hubert Cohen*
John Coleman
Mary Sue and Kenneth
Coleman
Community Foundation for
Southeast Michigan
Roger and Midge Cone
Jennifer Conlin and Daniel
Rivkin
Conlin Travel
Angelos and Kathy
Constantinides
Dr. Lisa D. Cook*
Connie and Jim Cook
Jeff Cooper and Peggy Daub
Arnold and Susan Coran
Richard D. and Nancy M.
Cowan
Katherine and Clifford Cox
Mac and Nita Cox
The Cozad Family
CR Investments LLC
Clifford and Laura Craig*
Roger Craig and Sherry Root*
Susan Bozell Craig and Family
Richard and Penelope
Crawford
Drs. Reates Curry and Alec
Gallimore*
Christopher Dahl and Ruth
Rowse*
Marylee Dalton and Lynn
Drickamer*
Connie D’Amato*
Timothy and Robin
Damschroder*
Dave Daniszewski
Julia Donovan Darlow and
John Corbett O’Meara
Art and Lyn Powrie Davidge
Ellie and Ed Davidson*
Ryan Davis*
Meg and Brian Delaney
Marylene Delbourg-Delphis
David Deromedi
Michele Derr
Brian Dervishi*
Sally and Larry DiCarlo
Alison and Keith Dickey
Macdonald and Carolin Dick
Susan Diehl
Connie and Paul Dimond
Andrzej and Cynthia Dlugosz*
Molly Dobson
Steve and Judy Dobson*
Jim and Patsy Donahey
Sharon and Dallas Dort*
John Dryden and Diana Raimi*
DTE Energy
Jill and Doug Dunn
Don and Kathy Duquette
Grace Duren
Ed and Mary Durfee
Swati Dutta
Jane Dutton and Lloyd
Sandelands
Nick and Kelly Dyer
James Eder and Kim Redic
Rosalie Edwards/Vibrant Ann
Arbor Fund
Morgan and Sally Edwards
Charles and Julia Eisendrath
Alan S. Eiser
38 38 2020/21 Annual Report
Stay Present
39

2020/21 Season in Review Who Makes It Possible
Charles and Julie Ellis*
Joan H. Engel*
Johanna Epstein and Steven
Katz
Barbara Ericson*
Harvey and Elly Falit
David and Jo-Anna
Featherman
Michael and Ann Feeney
Steve Feenstra and Pamela
Ruiter-Feenstra*
Carol Finerman*
David Fink and Marina Mata
Sara and Bill Fink
Penny and Ken Fischer
Norman and Jeanne Fischer
C. Peter and Beverly A.
Fischer
Susan R. Fisher
Barbara G. Fleischman
Arnold Fleischmann*
Kathleen Fleming*
Esther Floyd
Larry and Dorothy Fobes
Jessica Fogel and Lawrence
Weiner
Scott and Janet Fogler
George W. Ford
Ford Motor Company Fund
Gerald R. Ford School of
Public Policy
Susan L. Froelich and Richard
E. Ingram
Stephen and Rosamund
Forrest*
Ruth C. Forrest
David Fox and Paula
Bockenstedt
Betsy Foxman and Michael
Boehnke
Dan and Jill Francis
Sara and Michael Frank*
Randall and Ellen Frank
Leon and Marcia Friedman
Bernard Friedman and Sarah
Mack
Philip and Renée Woodten
Frost
Carol Gagliardi and David
Flesher
Barbara Garavaglia
Patricia M. Garcia and Dennis
Dahlmann
Chris Gardiner and Cynthia
Koch*
Gwyn and Jay Gardner*
Jan Garfinkle and Mike
O’Donnell Chris Genteel
and Dara Moses
Mr. and Mrs. Martin J.
Gargaro*
Sandra Gast and Greg Kolecki
Thomas and Barbara
Gelehrter
Beverley and Gerson Geltner
Charles H. Gershenson Trust
J. Martin and Tara Gillespie/
Hansen Marketing
Services Inc.
Zita and Wayne Gillis*
David and Maureen Ginsburg
Heather and Seth Gladstein
Steve Glauberman and
Margaret Schankler
Anne and Paul Glendon
Drs. Vijay and Sara Goburdhun
Mr. and Mrs. Charles and
Janet Goss
John and Sherri Goff*
Katherine and Tom Goldberg*
Google Foundation
Gary Boren
Michael L. Gowing
Martha and Larry Gray*
John and Renee Greden
Dr. Leslie M. Green
Richard and Linda Greene
Linda Gregerson and Steven
Mullaney*
John R. Griffith and Sharon R.
Quiroz
Robert and Trudy Grimmer
Henry Grix and Howard Israel
Margaret and Phil Guire
Arthur W. Gulick
Stephen and Jessica Gushee*
Susan and Richard Gutow
Robert and Karen Hahn*
Bob and Dannielle Hamilton
Randall and Nancy Harbour
Alan Harnik and Professor
Gillian Feeley-Harnik
Cayenne Harris
Susan Harris*
David N. Harris
Clifford and Alice Hart
Larry Hastie
Craig Hausman and Holly
Heaviland, PhD
Diana Hawes*
Dan and Jane Hayes*
Anne Heacock and Stephen
Fisher
Jim Heaton and Lou Ellyn
Green
Joel and Jacqui Heidelbaugh
Jackie Henniger
Norman and Debbie Herbert*
Alfred and Therese Hero
David and Phyllis Herzig
Margaret Higley
Paul and Nancy Hillegonds
Anne Hiller*
Timothy Hofer and Valerie
Kivelson
Gideon and Carol Hoffer
Maxine and Jeff Hoffman*
Carol and Dieter Hohnke
Maurita Holland*
Rebecca Hong
Robert and Barbara
Hooberman
Paul Hossler and Charlene
Bignall*
Joel Howell and Linda
Samuelson*
Linda S. Hubbard
William and Sarah Hufford
Jane H. Hughes*
Greg and Carol Hulbert
Jim and Colleen Hume
Richard and Lesley Hume*
Ann D. Hungerman
Eileen and Saul Hymans
Indian Trail Charitable
Foundation/Patti Askwith
Kenner
Dr. Joachim Janecke
Ibrahim and Therese Jarjoura*
Wallie and Janet Jeffries*
Marilyn J. Jeffs
Feng Jiang and Lydia Qiu*
Timothy and Jo Wiese
Johnson*
Sue and Kevin Johnson
Henry and Billie Johnson
Drs. Kent and Mary Johnson*
Mattias Jonsson and Johanna
Eriksson
Jim Joyce and Emily Santer
Professors Monica and Fritz
Kaenzig*
Dr. and Mrs. M. Kaminski
Elizabeth Kassab*
E. Daniel and Kay Long
Barbara Kaye and John
Hogikyan*
Robert and Jeri Kelch
Jim Keller and Mary Ellen Hoy
Deborah Keller-Cohen and
Evan Cohen
Dr. Barbara J. Kelly
Sally Kennedy
Bonnie and Robert Kidd*
Paul and Leah Kileny
Charles and Christina Kim*
Edward Kimball*
Cathy and Bill King
Tom and Connie Kinnear*
Diane Kirkpatrick
Marvin Krislov
Rich and Myra Klarman
Wally and Robert Klein
Shira and Steve Klein
Phil Klintworth
Jean and Arnold Kluge
Carolyn and Jim Knake
Michael Koen
Rosalie and Ron Koenig*
Joseph and Marilynn
Kokoszka
Dr. and Mrs. Jerry Kolins
Michael J. Kondziolka and
Mathias-Philippe Badin*
William and Alice Kopp*
Barbara and Michael
Kratchman
Martha Krehbiel
Samuel and Marilyn Krimm*
Donald and Jeanne Kunz
Tim and Kathy Laing
Jane Fryman Laird
Deborah Lamm
Lucy and Ken Langa
Linda M. Langer
Danielle and Mika LaVaque-
Manty
Ted and Wendy Lawrence
John K. Lawrence and Jeanine
A. DeLay
John and Theresa Lee
Kathy Legatski
David Leichtman and Laura A.
McGinn
Richard LeSueur*
James and Melissa Lewis*
Marie Lewis
Carolyn and Paul Lichter*
Evie and Allen Lichter
Jeffrey and Deborah Liker
Richard and Carolyn Lineback
Rod and Robin Little
Daniel Little and Bernadette
Lintz
Margaret and Ronald Lomax*
Bruce Loughry
William and Lois Lovejoy
Fran Lyman
Tim and Lisa Lynch*
Barbara and Edward Lynn
Marjorie Lynn
Marilyn and Frode
Maaseidvaag
John MacKrell
Jayne Maerker
Jackie and Hans Maier
Preeti Malani and Mark
Zacharek
Joseph Malcoun and Caitlin
Klein
Prof. William Malm and Jutta
Gerber-Malm*
Warde and Chrislan Manuel*
Mardi Gras Fund
Betsy Yvonne Mark*
W. Harry Marsden*
Emily Moore-Marshall and Tim
Marshall*
Michael and Kristie Martin*
Ann W. Martin and Russ
Larson*
Martin Family Foundation*
Sandra Lau Martins
Masco Corporation
Mary M. Matthews*
Jerry A. and Deborah Orr May
Olivia Maynard and Olof
Karlstrom
Margaret and Harris
McClamroch
W Joseph McCune and
Georgiana M Sanders*
Griff and Pat McDonald
Daniel and Carol McDonnell
James H. McIntosh and Elaine
K. Gazda
Thomas and Lisa McKarns*
Erin McKean and Steve
Sullivan
Thomas and Deborah
McMullen
Tom and Debby McMullen
Beth McNally*
Carole and Dennis McNamara
Marilyn Meeker*
Dr. Gerlinda S. Melchiori
The Andrew W. Mellon
Foundation
Stefano Mengozzi and Karen
Deam-Mengozzi
Mrs. Robert E. Meredith
Lynne Metty*
Fei Fei and John Metzler
Mike and Rachelle Michelon
Michigan Center for Early
Christian Studies
Michigan Council for Arts and
Cultural Affairs
Michigan Medicine
J.M. Miller Engineering, Inc.
John and Sally Mitani
Candy and Andy Mitchell*
Bert and Kathy Moberg
Elizabeth and John Moje
Dagmar Moore*
Paul Morel and Linda
Woodworth
Kara and Lewis Morgenstern
Melinda Morris
THE MOSAIC FOUNDATION (of
R. & P. Heydon
Agnes Moy-Sarns and David
Sarns/SI Company
Trevor Mudge and Janet Van
Valkenburg
Bernhard and Donna Muller
Lisa Murray and Michael Gatti
Hillary Murt and Bruce
Friedman
Lora G. Myers*
Heidi A Naasko
Sarah Naasko and Jonathan
Smith
Drs. Louis Nagel and Julie
Jaffee Nagel
National Endowment for the
Arts
Andree Naylor*
Erika Nelson and David
Wagener
Kay and Gayl Ness*
Netscout
New England Foundation for
the Arts
Sarah W. Newman*
Newmarket LLC
Nathan Ng
Richard and Susan Nisbett
John and Martha Nitz
Susan and Daniel Noetzel
William Nolting and Donna
Parmelee
Christer and Outi Nordman*
Rob and Quincy Northrup
Arthur S. Nusbaum
Caroline and Mitchell
Nussbaum
Fola Odetola*
Old National Bank
Old National Bank Foundation
Natalie and David Olds
Constance K. Olson
Beverly Olson
Gil Omenn and Martha Darling
Jill O’Neill
Elizabeth Ong
Susan and Mark Orringer
Constance Osler
Marysia Ostafin and George
Smillie
Elisa Ostafin and Hossein
Keshtkar*
Liz and Mohammad Othman
Anna Owens and Tom Cook*
Patrick and Nancy Paige
Stephen and Elizabeth Palms
Carlos Palomares and Julia
Owens
Karen Pancost
William and Hedda Panzer
Karen Park and John Beranek
James and Joan Penner-Hahn
Stephen R. Perrin*
Tim and Sally Petersen
Margaret and Jack Petersen*
Wesen and William Peterson
Pfizer Foundation
Marianne Udow-Phillips and
Bill Phillips
Mark and Margaret Pieroni*
Elaine and Bertram Pitt
PNC Foundation
Olga Podolyako
Susan Pollans and Alan Levy
Tom Porter
Jeffrey and Joanna Post
Linda Powell and James Taylor
Prof. Sara A. Pozzi, Ph.D.
Diana Pratt
Lorna B. Prescott
Rick and Mary Price*
Karen and Berislav Primorac
John and Nancy Prince
Jay Ptashek and Karen Elizaga
Peter Railton and Rebecca
Scott
Patricia L. Randle and James
R. Eng
Venkat Rao*
James Read
Bonnie Reece
Jeff and Katie Reece
Anthony L. Reffells
Donald Regan and Elizabeth
Axelson
Ray and Ginny Reilly
Retirement Income Solutions
Floretta Reynolds*
James and Ligia Reynolds
Lou and Sheila Rice
Randel Richner and Eric
Russell
Douglas and Robin Richstone
Jonathan and Anala Rodgers
Felix and Caroline Rogers*
Doug and Nancy Roosa
Stephen Rosenblum and
Rosalyn Sarver*
Prue Rosenthal
Bert Rossi
Rosemarie Haag Rowney*
Carol D. Rugg and Richard K.
Montmorency
Don and Judy Rumelhart
Linda and Leonard Sahn
Amy Saldinger and Robert
Axelrod
Jay and Susan Sandweiss
Dick and Norma Sarns
Michael and Kimm Sarosi
Michele and Eli Saulson
Maya Savarino
Mike and Annmarie Savitski
Albert J. and Jane L. Sayed
Helga and Jochen Schacht
Mary A. Schieve
David Schmidt and Jane
Myers
Ann and Tom Schriber
Richard Schultz*
John J. H. Schwarz
Elaine and Peter Schweitzer
Ruth Scodel
John Scudder and Regan
Knapp
Larry and Bev Seiford
Suzanne Selig
Erik Serr
Ellie Serras*
Joe and Yvonne Sesi/Sesi
Lincoln
Matthew Shapiro and Susan
Garetz
Elvera Shappirio*
Janet Shatusky
Patrick and Carol Sherry*
Susan and Patrick Shields*
John and Arlene Shy
Alyce K. Sigler
Nina Silbergleit*
Sandy and Dick Simon*
Frankie and Scott Simonds*
Anne and Knut Simonsen
Robert and Elaine Sims
Katherine R. Spindler
Sue and Don Sinta
Brooks Sitterley
Jurgen Skoppek
Barbara Furin Sloat*
Susan M. Smith and Robert
H. Gray
Rodney Smith and Janet
Kemink
Sidonie Smith and Greg
Grieco
Gregory Smith, MD and
Margaret Smith
Edwin and Diane Smith
Will and Megann Smith
Linh and Dug Song
Cheryl Soper
Cynthia Sorensen and Henry
Rueter*
Juanita and Joseph Spallina
Gretta Spier and Jonathan
Rubin
Jeff Spindler
Ted St. Antoine*
Michael B. Staebler and
Jennifer R. Poteat
Andrea and Gus Stager
Gary and Diane Stahle
Leslie Stainton and Steven
Whiting
Steve Stancroff and Tamar
Springer*
Daniel Stankey
Nancy and James Stanley*
State of Michigan
Commission on Middle
Eastern American Affairs
Jan and Elena Stegemann*
Daniel and Susan Stepek*
Candis Stern*
Dana and Diana Stetson*
Rick and Lia Stevens
Cynthia J. Stewart
Charles Stewart Mott
Foundation
Mary Stockwell
James L. Stoddard*
Gail Ferguson Stout*
Dalia Strasius
Karen and David Stutz
Dennis and Jan Sullivan
Edward and Natalie Surovell
Suzanne Tainter and Kenneth
Boyer
Brian and Lee Talbot
Sandy Talbott and Mark
Lindley
Louise Taylor
Stephan Taylor and Elizabeth
Stumbo
Eva E. Taylor
Nancy Teichert
William Tennant
Denise Thal and David Scobey
Bette M. Thompson*
Carrie and Peter Throm*
Mary Tift*
Hitomi Tonomura
Peter Toogood and Hanna
Song
Michael and Marcia Torrey*
Louise Townley
Jeffrey and Lisa Tulin-Silver
Jody Tull
Claire Turcotte
Kay Tuttle and Gordon Larsen*
Tyler Family Fund
Alvan Uhle
University of Michigan
University of Michigan Arts
Initiative
University of Michigan
College of Engineering
University of Michigan Credit
Union
University of Michigan School
of Music, Theatre, and
Dance
Joyce A. Urba and David J.
Kinsella
Alison and Matthew Uzieblo
Jack and Marilyn van der
Velde
Bram van Leer
Alicia P. Van Pelt
Matthew VanBesien and
Rosie Jowitt
Carol VanBesien
Karla and Hugo Vandersypen*
Robert and Cynthia
VanRenterghem
Donald Vereen and Susan
Collins
Dody Viola
Virginia Wait*
Richard S. Walinski
C. Glen Walter and Edite B.
Walter, MD
Margaret Walter*
Shaomeng Wang and Ju-Yun
Li*
Paul Ward and Laura Lamps
Jo Ann Ward
Jeff Warren and Betsy
Garofalo
Ruth A Watson
Harvey and Robin Wax
Richard and Madelon Weber
Professor J. Wehrley and Mrs.
Patricia Chapman*
Katherane Weider
Mr. and Mrs. Richard C.
Weiermiller*
Neal and Susan Weinberg
Richard and Gretchen Weir
Ronald and Eileen Weiser
Robert O. Weisman
Edward and Colleen Weiss*
Hermann Weiss and Rebecca
Hoort
James and Karen Westphal
Robert Westveer
Julie Wheaton*
Mary Ann Whipple
Kathy White
Amy White
James B. White and Mary F.
White*
Susan Whitlock and Dr. Earl
Lewis
Max Wicha and Sheila
Crowley*
Peter and Karen Wildman*
David and Anne Wilhoit
Brian Willen and Monica
Hakimi*
Valerie and Jeff Wilpon
Thomas K. Wilson
Robin Wilson*
I. W. Winsten*
Lawrence and Mary Wise
Max and Mary Wisgerhof
Charles Witke and Aileen
Gatten
Steven and Helen Woghin
Charlotte A. Wolfe*
Katherine Woo*
Douglas Wood and Kay
Holsinger*
Eric Woodhams*
The Worsham Family
Foundation
Frances A. Wright
Mary Jean and John Yablonky
The Zelenock Family
Gail and David Zuk
UMS
TRIBUTE
GIFTS
September 1, 2020 –
October 1, 2021
Throughout the past year,
donations have been
made in memory of and/or
in honor of the following
individuals.
Bert Askwith (1911-2015)
Mel L. Barclay, MD
William J. Beird
DJ and Dieter Boehm
Sally Cushing
Father Tim Dombrowski
Ken and Penny Fischer
Ken Guire
Jim Heitler
Lloyd and Edith Herrold
Christa Janecke
Amrita and Pritika Karwa
Theophilius Odetola
Anne Parsons
Lois Stegeman
Matthew VanBesien
Darragh Weisman
Clayton and Ann Wilhite
40 2020/21 Annual Report Stay Present 41

2020/21 Season in Review Financials
FY21
FINANCIALS
OPERATING RESULTS FY21 FY20 FY19
Ticket Revenue (1) $-0- $2,449,250 $2,848,772
Other Earned Revenues $146,495 $480,896 $644,505
Net Investment Income $1,095,257 $1,083,035 $1,040,284
Gifts and Grants (2,6) $3,107,899 $3,734,791 $3,359,812
Gifts and Grants Released from Restrictions (3) $601,740 $100,085 $630,215
University of Michigan (4) $1,526,000 $1,070,000 $1,065,000
Operating Revenue $6,477,391 $8,918,057 $9,588,588
Concert Expenses & Related Programs (5) $2,807,801 $5,684,862 $6,403,839
Administrative Expenses (6) $1,843,990 $1,677,273 $1,784,454
Our 142nd season was the first in UMS’s history where we did not present any live, in-person performances;
nevertheless, we hope you can see the impact of UMS activities both within our community and around the
world. We’re grateful to the committed staff, dedicated board and volunteers, and generous donors and
investors who make it all possible.
Our complete audited financial statements are available on our website at ums.org/about/financialstatements,
with a top-line summary on the next page. For comparison purposes, we have included FY19
(our last full season of in-person performances) and FY20 (with the last two months of performances
canceled due to the pandemic), in addition to the most recent statements reflecting FY21.
Our positive bottom line from operations during FY21 was due in part to the U.S. Government’s second round
of support through the Paycheck Protection Program (“PPP”); this grant of $362,800 is recognized in the
Gifts and Grants line in our Operating Results. Extraordinary fundraising allowed us to offset the absence of
ticket revenues given that all of our digital events were offered free-of-charge. Our overall change in net
assets showed a gain of $9,114,195, largely due to unrealized gains on our board-designated endowment
and our donor-restricted endowment funds.
The FY21 statements are representative of UMS’s overall position of financial strength due to the deep
commitment of its audiences and donors. Nevertheless, as we look ahead, we anticipate that the coming
years will be difficult for the organization, with continued uncertainty due to the ongoing pandemic and its
impact on both artist tours and attendance at live performances.
We are extraordinarily grateful to all who continue to support UMS during these uncertain times.
Sincerely,
Development Expenses $1,183,987 $1,262,940 $1,469,245
Operating Expenses $5,835,778 $8,625,075 $9,657,538
Net Surplus/(Deficit) from Operations $641,613 $292,982 ($68,950)
NET ASSETS (including Endowment Funds) FY21 FY20 FY19
Beginning Balance - Funds Without Donor Restrictions $7,741,125 $7,889,229 $7,804,591
Beginning Balance - Funds With Donor Restrictions $19,389,286 $19,361,721 $19,093,789
Beginning Balance - All Funds $27,130,411 $27,250,950 $26,898,380
Gifts and Grants $494,082 $1,106,872 $523,583
Gifts and Grants Released from Restrictions (3) ($601,740) ($100,085) ($630,215)
Net Investment Income $60,014 $50,240 $43,214
Net Unrealized Gain on Investments Without Donor Restrictions $2,445,489 ($444,613) $153,588
Net Unrealized Gain on Investments With Donor Restrictions $6,074,737 ($1,025,935) $331,350
Net Surplus/(Deficit) from Operations $641,613 $292,982 ($68,950)
Matthew VanBesien
President, UMS
Tim Petersen
Chair, UMS Board of Directors
Ending Balance - All Funds $36,244,606 $27,130,411 $27,250,950
Total Change in Net Assets $9,114,195 ($120,539) $352,570
42 2020/21 Annual Report
(1) In FY19 and FY20, ticket donations were recorded as Ticket Revenue. In FY21, ticket donations were recorded as Gifts and Grants. (2) This line also
includes $458,432 from the Paycheck Protection Program in FY20 and $362,800 in FY21. The FY20 amount has been forgiven, and the FY21 amount
is expected to be forgiven as the terms of the program were met. (3) Represents gifts and grants received in prior years whose purpose or timing
conditions were met. (4) Represents discretionary support provided by the U-M Offices of the President and Provost, as well as other University units.
(5) Includes digital artist residencies and digital programming expense for FY21 when there were no in-person performances. (6) Includes estimated
market value of in-kind subsidized lease costs for office space. This amount totals approximately $143,000 in each year.
Stay Present
43

2020/21 Season in Review Financials
THE 2020/21 (DIGITAL) SEASON UMS STAFF
SEPTEMBER 2020
Paul Taylor Dance Group
OCTOBER 2020
Takács Quartet
Sheku Kanneh-Mason and
Isata Kanneh-Mason
Trevor Noah
NOVEMBER 2020
Cloud Gate Dance Theatre of
Taiwan
Wynton Marsalis and Jazz at
Lincoln Center Orchestra
Listening Parties with Tarek
Yamani and the Spektral
Quartet (Digital Artist
Residency)
DECEMBER 2020
Messiah Mixtape
Jazz at Lincoln Center
Orchestra School Day
Performance: Let Freedom
Swing
JANUARY 2021
Some Old Black Man with
Wendell Pierce and Charlie
Robinson (Digital Artist
Residency)
Sphinx Virtuosi
Cleo Parker Robinson Dance
School Day Performance
Jazz at Lincoln Center’s Swing
University: Jazz from New
Orleans, Chicago, New York,
and Detroit
FEBRUARY 2021
Caleb Teicher & Company
School Day Performance
James Ehnes, violin
MARCH 2021
Ballet Folklórico de México de
Amalia Hernández School Day
Performance
Jazz at Lincoln Center
Orchestra School Day
Performance: Who Is Joe
Williams?
Playing with Fire (documentary
about conductor Jeannette
Sorrell)
National Arab Orchestra
Sir András Schiff, piano
APRIL 2021
School Day Performance:
Frankenstein: How to Make
a Monster – Battersea Arts
Centre Beatbox Academy
Jazz at Lincoln Center’s Swing
University: Jazz in Detroit
Live Session with Tunde
Olaniran
MAY 2021
Daniel Bernard Roumain and
J’Nai Bridges: They Still Want
to Kill Us
JUNE 2021
Digital Pride Festival
Becca Blackwell: They,
Themself, and Schmerm
Conspirare: Considering
Matthew Shepard
Taylor Mac: Whitman in the
Woods
Matthew VanBesien,
President
Administration & Finance
Carmen Rodriguez,
Vice President, Finance
and Administration
Jessica Adamczyk,
Executive Assistant to the
President
Patricia Hayes,
Finance Manager (through
August 2021)
John Peckham,
Information Systems
Manager
Anna Simmons,
Systems Specialist
(through May 2021)
Development
Ryan Davis,
Vice President and Chief
Development Officer
Susan Bozell Craig,
Director of Development
Amanda Dempsey,
Development Associate
(through April 2021)
Rachelle Michelon,
Annual Giving Manager
Lisa Michiko Murray,
Associate Director of
Development, Foundation
& Government Relations
Margaret Reid,
Associate Director of
Development, Major Gifts
and Planned Giving
Will Smith, Assistant Manager,
Major Gifts
Education & Community
Engagement
Cayenne Harris,
Vice President, Education
& Community Engagement
Alexandria Davis,
Community & Audience
Programs Manager
Christina Mozumdar,
Education & Community
Engagement Programs
Manager (through April
2021)
Terri Park,
Associate Director of
Education & Community
Engagement, K-12
Programs
Maddy Wildman,
University Programs
Manager
Marketing & Communications
Sara Billmann,
Vice President, Marketing
& Communications
Jacob Gibson,
Marketing &
Communications Associate
Mallory Shea,
Marketing & Media
Relations Manager
(through April 2021)
Samantha Williams,
Marketing & Media
Relations Manager
Eric Woodhams,
Director of Digital Media
Patron Services
Christina Bellows,
Director of Patron Services
Rochelle Clark,
Ticket Services Associate
Bridget Kojima,
Group Sales and
Promotions Associate
Nina Renella,
Interim Front of House
Assistant Manager
Anné Renforth,
Ticket Services Assistant
Manager
Victoria Spain,
Front of House Assistant
Manager (though August
2021)
Production/Programming
Michael Kondziolka,
Vice President,
Programming & Production
Jeffrey Beyersdorf,
Production Director
Alex Gay,
Assistant Production
Manager
Anne Grove,
Artist Services Manager
Mark Jacobson,
Senior Programming
Manager
Mary Roeder,
Programming Manager
UMS Choral Union
Scott Hanoian,
Music Director and
Conductor
Kathleen Operhall,
Chorus Manager
Student Employees &
Part-Time Assistants
Olivia Johnson,
Patron Services Assistant
Jacob Rogers,
Patron Services Assistant
Justine Sedky,
Patron Services Assistant
UMS 2020/21 BOARD OF
DIRECTORS
Tim Petersen,
Chair
Lisa D. Cook,
Co-Vice Chair
Brian Willen,
Co-Vice Chair
Rob VanRenterghem,
Treasurer
Christopher Conlin,
Secretary
Susan E. Alcock
Karen Bantel
Kiana Barfield
Marco Bruzzano
Mary Lincoln Campbell
Timothy R. Damschroder
Tiffany L. Ford
Alec Gallimore
Katherine Goldberg
Linda Gregerson
Stephen Henderson
Ibrahim Jarjoura
Timothy B. Johnson
Barbara Kaye
Christina Kim
Timothy G. Lynch
Timothy G. Marshall
Michael C. Martin
Sarah Nicoli
Peter Schweitzer
Knut Simonsen
Versell Smith, Jr.
Linh Song
Gail Ferguson Stout
Victor J. Strecher
Ex-officio Members:
Susan M. Collins,
Provost, U-M
David Gier,
Dean, School of Music,
Theatre & Dance, U-M
Kevin Hegarty,
Executive Vice President
and Chief Financial Officer,
U-M
Mark Schlissel,
President, U-M
Jeanice Kerr Swift,
Superintendent of Ann
Arbor Public Schools
Representatives to the Board:
Rachel Bendit,
UMS National Council
Thomas C. Kinnear,
UMS Sustaining Directors
Prudence Rosenthal,
UMS Sustaining Directors
Elena Snyder,
UMS Ambassadors
UMS NATIONAL COUNCIL
Rachel Bendit, Co-Chair
Ann Arbor
Wynton Marsalis, Honorary
Co-Chair
New York
Andrew Bernstein
New York
Maurice Binkow
Ann Arbor
Kenneth A. and Noreen
Buckfire
New York
Peter Cummings
Detroit
Marylene Delbourg–Delphis
Menlo Park and Pebble
Beach
Sophie Delphis
New York
Barbara G. Fleischman
New York
Maxine Frankel
Bloomfield Hills
Katherine Hein M.D.
Boston
Patti Kenner
New York
Wallis Klein
La Jolla and Charlevoix
Jerry Kolins M.D. and Dale
Kolins
Escondido
David Leichtman and Laura
McGinn
New York
Chrislan Fuller Manuel
Ann Arbor
Bridget M. McCormack and
Steven P. Croley
Ann Arbor
Jordan Morgan
Ann Arbor
Caroline Nussbaum
New York
Jay Ptashek and Karen Elizaga
New York
James Read
Stamford
James Stanley M.D. and
Nancy Stanley
Ann Arbor
Louise Taylor
Ann Arbor
Bruce Tuchman
New York
Eileen Weiser
Ann Arbor
Diane Zola
New York
Tim Petersen (Ex-Officio)
Ann Arbor
In Memoriam
Clayton and Ann Wilhite
Ann Arbor
UMS AMBASSADORS
Ambassador Executive
Committee
Michael Lee,
Chair
Cathy King,
Vice Chair and
Membership
Committee Co-Chair
Lisa Armstrong,
Treasurer
Beth McNally,
Secretary
Jay Kain,
Membership Committee
Co-Chair
Kirsten Williams,
School Day Performance
Volunteer Chair
Athena Papageorgiou,
Member-At-Large
Elena Snyder,
Immediate Past Chair
Ambassador General
Membership
Arlene Barnes
Astrid Beck
Sue Beel
Todd Beel
Elaine Bennett
Mike Dergis
Janet Galardi Popper
Joan Kadis
Nancy Karp
Kathy Kiehl
Leah Korth
Garrett Lefkowitz
Rita Malone
Daria Massimilla
Sharon Peterson Dort
Pat Rideout
Jill Ross
Ellen Sapper
Andrew Schneider
Pam Tabbaa
Sarajane Winkelman
44 2020/21 Annual Report Stay Present 45

2014 National Medal of Arts Recipient
@UMSPRESENTS
UMS.ORG——734.764.2538 Front Cover: Wendell Pierce and Charlie Robinson; Publication Date: November 2021