HOPE Center for the Arts Names Steven Dziekonski as CEO

HOPE Center for the Arts proudly announces the appointment of arts and music educator Steven Dziekonski as its new CEO. Dziekonski replaces Executive Director Michele Vavonese who’s served 25 years with the intellectually disabled community and 19 years at HOPE Center for the Arts.

After 35 years of service as a secondary school arts administrator, department head, and music educator, Dziekonski will lead HOPE’s mission of transforming the lives of intellectually disabled adults through the arts. His research as a graduate student examining the impact of community music programs on under-resourced populations uniquely positions him for this new role.

“HOPE Center for the Arts mission resonates deeply with me. As a service-learning program advisor in several public and independent schools, I’ve experienced the remarkable effect of engaging disabled adults with visual and performing arts. I am grateful for the opportunity to work with the HOPE team on their vision of creating innovative arts programs that empower adults with intellectual disabilities,” says Dziekonski.

Steven earned his Doctor of Musical Arts degree from Boston University, Master of Arts from California State University Northridge, and a Bachelor of Music from Boston’s Berklee College of Music. He is the owner of G&S Works, a company that provides custom orchestrations for Gilbert and Sullivan operettas worldwide. In addition to his commitment to accessible and inclusive arts education, Steven pursues a passion for helping and rescuing homeless animals.

HOPE Center for the Arts shares a state-of-the-art space in partnership with the Boys & Girls Clubs of Central Orange Coast in Irvine.

For more information, visit www.hope4arts.org.

About HOPE Center for the Arts

HOPE Center for the Arts was founded in 1979 by special education music teacher Doris Walker based on a small performing group called the Hi Hopes. Initially known as Hope University, it became the first organization of its kind to provide arts programming for adults with Intellectual Disabilities. HOPE offers multi-faceted visual and performing arts programs designed to help individuals build interest and motivation within the arts with opportunities to perform and display their talents. Over 50 individuals are served each year both onsite and virtually with funding by the Regional Centers and there is a private pay option.

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