January 23, 2009

Evergreen resident to attend leadership training

Ben Soriano, a resident of Evergreen, has been chosen to participate in the 2009 multicultural leadership training and mentoring initiative (MALI). Soriano is the owner of South First Billiards in San Jose.

MALI is sponsored by 1stACT Silicon Valley, a network of business, civic and arts leaders working to improve the cultural vibrancy and aesthetic quality of life of Silicon Valley.

Now in its second full year, MALI strives to accomplish three overarching goals: 1) to identify future and emerging multicultural arts leaders; 2) to develop and deliver a training program that will provide these individuals with the skills and knowledge necessary to stabilize or grow their organizations; and 3) to equip these leaders to participate in community-wide forums, initiatives and taskforces as advocates for a strong and healthy multicultural arts community.

The participants of the 2009 MALI Class:

1. Hector Armienta: Founder and Composer, OperaCultura – San Jose

2. Adrian Avila: Owner, AD Prints; Artistic Director, Silicon Valley DeBug – San Jose

3. Patricia Cheng: Chair, Performing Arts Committee – Mtn. View

4. Lidia Doniz: Co-Founder, Movimiento Cosmico Aztec Dance – San Jose

5. Elisa Echeverria: Transition Manager, Mexican Heritage Plaza – San Jose

6. Ester Fernandez: Curator of Education/Associate Curator, Triton Museum – Santa Clara

7. Rodrigo Garcia: Artistic Program Manager, Teatro Vision – San Jose

8. Reiko Iwanaga: Program and Outreach Manager, Contemporary Asian Theater Scene; Head dance teacher Obon Odori, San Jose Buddhist Church Betsuin – Saratoga

9. Melissa Locsin: Outreach Associate, SJ Repertory Theater – San Jose

10. An Lu: genARTS Steering Committee – San Jose

11. Nora Nguyen: Grant Writer, Community School of Music and Arts; Board Member, Association of Viet Arts – Mountain View

12. Ben Soriano: Owner, South First Billiards – San Jose

“These 12 individuals represent a wide range of cultures and multiethnic organizations,” said Tamara Alvarado, 1stACT Silicon Valley’s Director of Multicultural Leadership. “I am very excited to be working closely this year with the future leaders of Silicon Valley.”

The year-long training program of 1stACT Silicon Valley promotes civic engagement and includes the following activities: monthly training sessions led by skilled practitioners and consultants enabling participants to acquire skills needed to successfully lead an arts organization; access to information resources not typically available to small and midsized organizations; and onsite training and problem-solving opportunities with prominent business, government and community institutions.

For more information, visit www.1stact.org.