Sabra Bordas

Sabra Bordas went to the house of a friend of a friend’s five

years ago and unsuspectingly started on her volunteering path.

It was the backyard of the house, actually, and the whole thing

was just down the street. The gathering was of volunteers for the

Philharmonic Society, which presents the Eclectic Orange Festival

every fall.

“I was a teacher, so it’s a natural fit,” Bordas said. “It really

satisfies my love of the arts, and of course I’ve learned a lot

during the process.”

Today the Newport Beach resident volunteers on several

Philharmonic Society committees, including the executive committee

and the board of directors. She can be found at meetings about three

times a week. She helps with the planning of the annual House of

Design, opening galas in the area and fund-raising projects to

benefit youth music programs in Orange County.

As a former teacher, it’s fitting that her emphasis is often on

education.

When famous orchestras visit to perform with the Philharmonic,

Bordas and her fellow volunteers try to coordinate outreach programs

for youth. Whether it’s master classes or just casual lectures,

they’re interested in giving children access to the famous musicians.

“It’s just the thrill of a lifetime,” she said.

Bordas hopes that artists performing in Osvaldo Golijov’s “La

Pasion Segun San Marcos” on Oct. 18 as part of Eclectic Orange will

be available for outreach programs.

“We’re hoping to get someone to go to the High School of the

Arts,” she said. “To be able to bring these programs to kids means a

great deal to me.”

-- Story by Young Chang;

photo by Don Leach