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AADL Talks to Ann Arbor Summer Festival Staff and Volunteers

by oldnews

The Ann Arbor Summer Festival celebrates its 30th season this year. Amy Nesbitt, the Festival's Associate Director & General Manager joins us in a series of conversations with former and current A2SF staff and volunteers.

We spoke with Alan Brown who was hired as manager by festival founder Eugene Power in its inaugural year.

Susan Pollay was hired early on as the Marketing Director, and saw the Festival changed and grew over the years.

Jamie Mistry, a local businessman who started as a volunteer while a UM student, eventually chaired the Festival's Board of Directors. He now makes the annual event a family affair.

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Blog Post

AADL Talks to Alan Brown

by oldnews

In 1984, a very young Alan Brown, (a recent UM grad in Vocal Performance) was stunned to be offered the position of Festival Administrator by Eugene Power, the founder of the Ann Arbor Summer Festival - an opportunity that literally changed the course of his life. We speak to him by phone from San Francisco where he is the principal of WolfBrown, an advisory to foundations, public agencies and charitable organizations.

Alan speaks of his fond memories of Eugene Power, his firm guiding hand and generous support in the early days of the Festival. He remembers a gracious Ella Fitzgerald, a panic moment with Marcel Marceau, and his encounters with other great performers who graced the Festival stage.

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AADL_Talks_To-Alan_Brown.mp3 22.1 MB

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Blog Post

AADL Talks to Susan Pollay

by oldnews

Susan Pollay, a former Executive Director of the Ann Arbor Summer Festival remembers vividly her personal encounters and backstage stories of such entertainment greats such as Tony Bennett and Mel Torme.

Susan also talked about the early years of the Festival when Eugene and Sadye Power were a strong presence; the many roles she played, and changes the Festival has undergone through the years.

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AADL_Talks_To-Susan_Pollay.mp3 21.4 MB

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Blog Post

AADL Talks to Jamie Mistry

by oldnews

A long-time supporter of the Ann Arbor Summer Festival, Jamie Mistry is proud to help celebrate its 30th season in 2013. He started as a volunteer and through the years, has taken on many roles, including as Chair of the Board of Directors. He remembers the challenges of funding an arts organization during hard times, and the sensitivity necessary in programming to remain sustainable.

These days he remains a community member of the Festival and looks forward to bringing his family to yet another A2SF season.

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AADL_Talks_To-Y_Jamie_Mistry.mp3 32.7 MB