Ocean Institute’s Annual Fundraiser Combines Philanthropy with World-Class Jazz
Text and photos by Daniel Ritz
Within no-more-than 30 minutes, attendees of the 2018 Ocean Institute Jazz Festival raised over 15 thousand dollars towards the Ocean Institute’s Adopt-A-Class Program, aimed to teach the importance of the ocean to underserved students at Title I schools in Orange County.
In total, the weekend event raised more than $110 thousand dollars.
The money was raised through pledges to the Adopt-A-Class program and auction donations from participating local resorts including Monarch Beach Resort, The Ranch at Laguna Beach, The Montage, and Park Hyatt Aviara.
Following opening remarks and the benefit auction, the jazz began, with blistering performances by Michael Paulo, Paul Brown and Jeffrey Osborne.
Dan Pingaro and Emma Opie of the Ocean Institute stand arm and arm with Jazz Festival performers Michcel Paulo and Jeffrey Osborne. Photo: Daniel Ritz
Lane Avery (left) OCean Institute CFO, with Wendy Marshall, VP of Education at the Ocean Institute,at the OCean Institute’s Jess Festival. Photo: Daniel Ritz
Ocean Institute staff stand with one of the number of local restaraunter’s and beverage vendors that donated to the event. Photo: Daniel Ritz
Attendee’s were able to engage with Ocean Institute volunteer’s to learn more about their exhibits at the Jazz Festival. Photo: Daniel Ritz
Ocean Institute CEO and President Dan Pingaro opened up the Jazz Festival with a heartfelt speech recognizing the Festival’s philanthropic purpose. Photo: Daniel Ritz
President and CEO Dan Pingaro hugs John Nasteff after a heartfelt speech concerning the importance of educating youth on the importance of the world’s ocean. Photo: Daniel Ritz
A beautiful short-film by John Nasteff opened the Ocean Institute’s Jazz Festival on March 2. Photo: Daniel Ritz
Micheal Paulo opened the Ocean Institute’s Jazz Festival with a blistering performance that brought the capacity crowd to its feet. Photo: Daniel Ritz
Micheal Paulo opened the Ocean Institute’s Jazz Festival with a blistering performance that brought the capacity crowd to its feet. Photo: Daniel Ritz
Micheal Paulo opened the Ocean Institute’s Jazz Festival with a blistering performance that brought the capacity crowd to its feet. Photo: Daniel Ritz
Micheal Paulo opened the Ocean Institute’s Jazz Festival with a blistering performance that brought the capacity crowd to its feet. Photo: Daniel Ritz
Micheal Paulo opened the Ocean Institute’s Jazz Festival with a blistering performance that brought the capacity crowd to its feet. Photo: Daniel Ritz
Micheal Paulo opened the Ocean Institute’s Jazz Festival with a blistering performance that brought the capacity crowd to its feet. Photo: Daniel Ritz
Paul Brown (left) joined Micheal Paulo on stage during a performance at the Ocean Institute’s Jazzfest on March 2. Photo: Daniel Ritz
Paul Brown (left) joined Micheal Paulo on stage during a performance at the Ocean Institute’s Jazzfest on March 2. Photo: Daniel Ritz
Jeffrey Osborne, performing at the Ocean Institute Jazz Festival on March 2. Photo: Daniel Ritz
Jeffrey Osborne, performing at the Ocean Institute Jazz Festival on March 2. Photo: Daniel Ritz
Paul Brown (left) joined Micheal Paulo on stage during a performance at the Ocean Institute’s Jazzfest on March 2. Photo: Daniel Ritz
Micheal Paulo opened the Ocean Institute’s Jazz Festival in 2018 with a blistering performance that brought the capacity crowd to its feet. Photo: Daniel Ritz