DANIEL COOPERMAN
San Francisco Symphony Board of Governors, Carmel Bach Festival Board member, ACSO donor

Dan Cooperman sits on both the San Francisco Symphony Board of Governors and the Carmel Bach Festival Board. He is also a proud supporter of ACSO! We are grateful for the opportunity to highlight his remarkable dedication and contributions to our music community. This interview was conducted by Alessandra Aquilanti, ACSO Board member and Development Director at Music@Menlo.

What is your background in the arts?
I grew up in a household with music. My family lived in a small suburban town in New Jersey, about 45 minutes from Manhattan. When I was 14 or so, my parents would allow me to take the train alone or with one of my two brothers to New York to attend various Broadway musicals, concerts and conventions. Among the programs I remember well is Leonard Bernstein’s Young People’s Concerts in the early 1960s. These made an enormous impression on me —when Bernstein was on the podium, I felt he was speaking directly to me.

In third grade, I remember borrowing a clarinet from our local public elementary school and took lessons once a week from a district music teacher. I played in the band throughout elementary school and then in the band and orchestra while in high school and college.

Music has always been a part of my life, never more so than now, when I have time to attend concerts and listen to recorded music.

Is there any organizations that you are particularly engaged with?
I have continued my interest in music by attending concerts and lectures. For the past six years, I have served on the Board of Governors of the San Francisco Symphony. I chair the Instrument Acquisition and Loan Committee. I am also a member of the board of the Carmel Bach Festival, a summer music festival in Carmel, CA, where I serve on the Finance Committee.

What led you to donate to ACSO?
Both the SF Symphony and the Carmel Bach Festival are members of ACSO. During the COVID pandemic, ACSO was there for the musicians, the administrators and board members. ACSO endeavored to keep music alive for all of its member organizations in California during the pandemic.

How has music changed your life?
Music helps me balance the stress factors in my work life and provides for me an outlet for relaxation in my leisure time.

 You can see a full list of all our 2023-24 donors here. Thank you for supporting ACSO!