Photo Flash: SING FOR A CURE with Florence Henderson

Sing for the Cure® is an original piece - a song cycle devoted specifically to breast cancer survivors, their families and friends. Commissioned by The Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation, this memorable song cycle includes the words of those most deeply affected by breast cancer. A portion of the proceeds are going to local breast cancer centers in support of services for breast cancer survivors and their families.

For decades, audiences have known Florence Henderson as the warm-hearted matriarch of the Brady clan, for whom the most serious family event was a rivalry between her sons and daughters or a botched school play costume. But six years ago, Florence faced the ultimate family challenge when, John Kappas, her husband of 15 years, was diagnosed with terminal cancer. Since that time, Florence has become a featured health care and motivation speaker, specializing on women's health with regards to cancer and is a spokes woman for City of Hope Cancer Research Center.

Vox Femina Los Angeles is a women's choral ensemble dedicated to the performance of quality choral literature with an emphasis on music by women composers. VFLA is a family of diverse women who are lesbian, bisexual and heterosexual. Through music VFLA celebrates women and builds bridges within and beyond the lesbian and gay communities. The organization was founded in January 1997 by Dr. Iris S. Levine and Stacey L. Poston. When the 21 founding members of Vox Femina Los Angeles (VFLA) first appeared on stage as guest artists in April 1997. Their much-heralded debut added a sparkling new dimension to the cultural life of the greater Los Angeles metropolitan region. Since its inception, Vox Femina Los Angeles has attained a level of musical excellence, community support and financial stability that may well be unequaled in any other chorus in such a short period of time. Since that time, VFLA has quickly established itself as one of the premier women's choruses in the United States with a demonstrated ability to perform highly eclectic repertoire, some of which can be heard on several recordings. It has actively fulfilled its mission through an aggressive schedule of performances, touring and educational outreach. VFLA has demonstrated its support and encouragement of living composers through commissioning new works. VOX Femina is funded through grants and private donations, VFLA has ended every year since its inception in a positive financial position. VFLA operates on a July-June fiscal year with auditions being held every August.

Dr. Iris Levine (Artistic Director) is a native of Boston, Massachusetts, Iris S. Levine received her Doctor of Musical Arts Degree in Choral Music from the University of Southern California in 1990, where she studied with Rodney Eichenberger and James Vail. She earned her Master of Music Degree in Choral Conducting from Temple University in Philadelphia. Currently, Dr. Levine is Department Chair and Professor of Music at California State Polytechnic University in Pomona. At Cal Poly, her responsibilities include conducting the Kellogg Chamber Singers and University Concert Choir and teaching Beginning Conducting, Choral Conducting, Choral Arranging and Music Education courses. In addition to her position with Vox Femina Los Angeles, Dr. Levine is the Artistic Director for the Stephen S. Wise Master Chorus and the ACDA Western Division Repertoire and Standards Chair for Women's Choirs. She is frequently invited to appear as a guest clinician and adjudicator for high school festivals throughout the United States.

Florence Henderson (narrator) is a multi-talented actress, talk-show host, performer, recording artist, author, Broadway veteran, and philanthropist, has undisputedly one of the most outstanding careers on film, in television and on stage. Her enthusiasm, professionalism, commitment to quality and artistry, has made Ms. Henderson one of the most respected and well-liked performers of our time. She is known worldwide to fans of all ages, as America's favorite mom Carol Brady, on the classic hit TV series "The Brady Bunch," but she was also the first woman ever to host "The Tonight Show" and starred in numerous Broadway hits including the lead role in Fanny, Maria in The Sound of Music, Nellie Forbush in South Pacific, and the starring role of Anna opposite Ricardo Montalban in the production of The King and I. She received the Pop Culture Award from TV Land and the Wall Street Journal rated her #5 out of 10 top television endorsers. Is it any wonder that the Smithsonian Institute in Washington DC inducted her into their first permanent Entertainment History Exhibit in 2009. For bio and credits go to www.flohome.com

This project is supported in part by a grant from the City of Los Angeles, Department of Cultural Affairs.

Photography: Matthew Mixon

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