Curriculum Vitae – Fund-Raising for Non-Profit Organizations

Curriculum Vitae – Fund-Raising for Non-Profit Organizations

Fund-Raising for the Arts – by Alianna J. Maren, Ph.D.

  • The McLean Symphony
  • Anahid Sofian Dance Company

The McLean Symphony

Maestro Dingwall Fleary, Founder and Artistic Director of The McLean Symphony, with Dr. Alianna Maren, member of the Board of Directors for TMS, post-concert in October, 2010.
Maestro Dingwall Fleary, Founder and Artistic Director of The McLean Symphony, with Dr. Alianna Maren, member of the Board of Directors for TMS, post-concert in October, 2010. Photo courtesy M. Brooker, used with permission.

Retaining a lively interest in the arts, Dr. Maren served on the Board of Directors for The McLean Symphony from 2006 – 2013.

The 2011-2012 Season was the fortieth anniversary of Maestro Dingwall Fleary’s leadership as Conductor and Artistic Director in McLean, VA. In support of this exceptional year, Dr. Maren spearheaded numerous fund-raising activities, including obtaining direct support, writing an award-winning grant proposal ($1.5K), and organizing fund-raising events including in-home concerts.

She took on a major role in both producing and promoting the 40th Anniversary Season Finale, which concluded with performance of the last movement of Beethoven’s Ninth Symphony, including the magnificent Ode to Joy. Four invited special guest artists and The McLean Festival Singers, along with substantial additions to the regular orchestra, made this extraordinary event possible.

Anahid Sofian Dance Company

Under the pen name and dance persona Alay’nya, she has taught women the art of Oriental dance through the Alay’nya Studio. In this role, she has produced shows, choreographed both solo and group works, and taught privately for over twenty years. Her 2007 show, Diva, was a benefit performance featuring many of the area’s leading Oriental dancers, in support of Anahid Sofian’s acclaimed Passage through Light and Shadow: Children of Ararat.