San Diegans are notorious in their refusal to leave the house when it’s raining – but Phyllis Epstein is a notable exception. “It was pouring rain and two of my closest friends decided they were too fragile to come,” joked Doreen Schonbrun, longtime board member and founder of the VAPA Foundation, about the organization’s very first fundraiser. “Meanwhile, who shows up but Phyllis, and I was dumbfounded she came!” It was the pair’s first official meeting and Doreen says Phyllis’ warm personality made her a natural partner to co-chair the VAPA Foundation’s Beyond Brilliance fundraiser.
Doreen and Phyllis immediately bonded over a similar childhood, taking school field trips to museums and concerts in Los Angeles – and their continued passion for the arts. They strongly believe arts education is critical in the classroom but concede the San Diego School District cannot do it all alone. That’s where the VAPA Foundation jumps in to bridge the gap in funding, using data from the school district to determine the neighborhoods who are lacking arts programming.
“We felt that there was a tremendous need in the public school system to have fine arts programs for these kids,” said Doreen whose time as a teaching artist highlighted the challenges of many students who simply did not have the most basic materials at home to make art. “The joy of having arts is essential to the well-being of all human beings.”
The VAPA Foundation brings high-quality arts education programs to schools that need them most. Fundraising events like Beyond Brilliance provide tangible benefits in the community, putting arts experiences directly into classrooms, not school budgets. With schools facing tough budget cuts, programs like the VAPA Foundation’s Arts Access provide what the school district cannot – access to enriching, meaningful arts education programs directly in the classroom.
For Phyllis, one of the most memorable and challenging Beyond Brilliance events was held in “Zoomland” during the pandemic closures. “We were able to raise enough funds that all the kids in the San Diego Unified School District who wanted ukuleles could have them. They learned how to play a ukulele over zoom, and eventually they played together during our fundraiser,” Phyllis says she was awed by the children’s cohesive musical performance – all from their separate homes. “You know how hard it is to all stay on the same beat when you’re not in a room together? These little kids were doing it!”
This year’s Beyond Brilliance event on Saturday, May 10, will bring many more dynamic performances from young artists – this time on the event’s largest stage yet at the UC San Diego Epstein Family Amphitheatre. This is the first year the event will be held at the university, a valued partner of the VAPA Foundation. There will be visual arts installations, Broadway-style theatre selections, and jazz, mariachi and orchestra performances by talented students across the San Diego Unified School District. Beyond Brilliance 2025 will be a more casual affair with a festival atmosphere full of performers, teachers and familiar faces from years past. The goal is to raise funds and spread the word about the VAPA Foundation’s mission, in addition to attracting many new supporters.
The level of talent in San Diego still astounds Phyllis and Doreen today and keeps them coming back each year to helm Beyond Brilliance. Despite seeing an estimated 500 plays in her lifetime Phyllis says, “We have talent in our local schools that rivals what you would see on Broadway. It’s astounding.”
Doreen adds, “I’ve seen the impact arts can have on students and how it can bring joy to their lives. We need people to get involved and donate so we can continue to offer these programs.”
One way to show support is to join the VAPA Foundation at Beyond Brilliance 2025. While the event has grown significantly since its first gathering that rainy evening, few things haven’t changed – such as the partnership between longtime event co-chairs and friends Doreen and Phyllis, the spotlight on talented young artists, and the commitment of the VAPA Foundation to bring quality arts education programs directly to San Diego classrooms.
For more information about Beyond Brilliance and to purchase tickets, visit: https://paybee.io/@vapa_gala_23@17
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**Letter from the Executive Director**
Dear Friends,
As we enter the heart of spring, I’m filled with gratitude for the incredible momentum behind our mission to expand access to arts education for every student in San Diego. Thanks to your support, our new **Arts Access program** is already making an impact—bringing meaningful, classroom-based arts instruction to schools where these opportunities have long been out of reach.
We’re also thrilled to share that the VAPA Foundation was selected as a **Prebys Sparx Challenge awardee** for our bold initiative integrating expressive arts and social-emotional learning. This recognition is a testament to what we can accomplish when community, creativity, and philanthropy come together.
Looking ahead, we hope you’ll join us for our annual fundraising event—**Beyond Brilliance**—a celebration of the transformative power of the arts. This year’s gala is co-chaired by two extraordinary leaders and long-time champions of the arts, **Doreen Schonbrun and Phyllis Epstein**. Their dedication to our students and our city inspires us all, and we’re honored to have their partnership.
With your continued support, we’re building a future where the arts are not a privilege for some—but a promise for every child.
Warmly,
**Kate Woods**
Executive Director
VAPA Foundation
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