University of California Los Angeles - Bruin Life / Southern Campus Yearbook (Los Angeles, CA)

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What ' s better than having tickets to see some of the best performers in the world? How about having discounted tickets? Student patrons of UCLA Live ' s extraordinary 2003-2004 season must thank UCLA ' s Student Committee for the Arts (SCA), a non-profit student-run organization, for keeping prices to concerts, plays, dances and spoken word events at a reasonable college-student-budget-friendly rate. UCLA Live ' s stellar season showcased artists such as dance extraordinaire Mikhail Baryshnikov, renowned violinist Itzhak Perlman, music icon Willie Nelson and controversial writers Salman Rushdie and Michael Moore. Working in conjunction with the renowned UCLA Live, SCA allowed students to witness the magic of these world-famous artists without breaking the bank, thanks to its 75% subsidy on tickets. In its 41st year, SCA ' s success matched that of UCLA Live. Made up of twenty-five bright undergraduate and graduate members chosen in a rigorous recruiting process in October, the committee ' s mission was to promote art in three major ways: subsidizing UCLA Live shows, producing SCA events and collaborating with other student groups to showcase artistic efforts. Co-Chair Julia Miller, a fourth year international development studies student, found that getting a chance to put a show together, from literally the ground up, has been an experience that not many people get to have and one that I have loved. Among SCA ' s accomplishments this year were delivering the band Mazerati to Westwood Plaza, initiating a monthly Jazz at the Grand music series in Kerckhoff Grand Salon and organizing an educational play called Schoolgirl Figure about anorexia. SCA continued to work with various groups on campus, including the Ethnomusicology Department, the School of Arts and Architecture and the Jazz Studies Program, in order to present a forum for th e artistic talents of students. Charlene Hecker agreed that SCA was a great source for music, theatre and dance, but she continued her six-year stint as staff advisor because she absolutely loved the idea of sharing my experience and working with students. Yet being a part of SCA was not all work and little play. For Julia Miller, SCA was more than a learning experience. I have really loved getting to know the members of the committee, she explained. Its members may have benefited from being part of this gratifying organization, but the entire school population reaped the rewards of SCA - their ultimate ticket to performing arts. by Alice Chang

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' Amongst the vast number of student organizations operating on campus, the Student Alumni Association distinguished itself by its ability to plan and execute one successful program after another. These programs provided a strong link between students and alumni, while instilling a sense of the rich history and tradition that lie, at the foundation of any top university. Being in the business of maintaining tradition, the SAA brought back recognizable events such as Beat ' SC Week, Dinner for 1 2 Strangers and Spring Sing for another sensational run. The success of these programs provided ways for students to develop close relationships with their peers and influential alumni. As the Executive Director of the Dinner for 12 Strangers series, third year English and psychology student Alexandra Hessenius described the program as a way to meet students from other walks of life and hear about post-graduation life from graduated alumni who are equally as interested in knowing what current college life is like. To implement and improve upon various events, a substantial number of student volunteers worked steadfastly for weeks or even months. They accomplished nearly daunting feats, such as planning the 80 to 90 dinners for the Dinner for 1 2 Strangers program. However, there were many advantages to taking a leadership position within SAA. Third year art history student Emily Frum, who was this year ' s Spring Sing Director, commented, The biggest perk is the opportunity that you are given as a student. It is a great way to make friends and connect with alumni to make the university feel more like a tightly-knit community. Concurring with Frum, second year political science student and the Career Network ' s Executive Director Patricija Petrac summed up her experiences with SAA by exclaiming, memories + traditions + community = good times! Despite the large time commitment, committee members and directors were able to not only attain valuable leadership experience, but also to develop close friendships with their peers while meeting celebrities along the way. The hard work of SAA members was widely appreciated by the Bruin community, as students were encouraged to be more active on campus and graduating seniors were inspired to give back to UCLA as active alumni. by Ellen Rark emtsm25

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SCA brings world-class performances to students at affordable prices The Batshevo Donee Company graces UCLA with its culturally diverse Deco Donee. The performance displayed o rich sensuality and unique dance language characteristic of choreographer Chod Nohorin ' s creative genius. Photograph Courtesy of UCIA live.