Bedrosian Pavilion is dedicated in ceremony at Oaks Christian

IRIS SMOOT/Acorn Newspapers AUDITORIUM UNVEILED- Tom Konjoyan, left, vice president of development at Oaks Christian School, jokes with John and Judith Bedrosian, who made a $3-million contribution to help fund the construction of the Bedrosian Pavilion. A gala marked the grand opening of the new building last Thursday evening in the city of Westlake Village. The 30,000-square-foot facility was added on to the existing gym as part of the school's campaign to improve classrooms, enhance existing facilities and upgrade technology across the campus. Oaks Christian School dedicated its new Bedrosian Pavilion Aug. 30 in a gala event attended by 250 donors, guests and other members of the community affiliated with the private Westlake Village school.

Activities included selfguided tours of the $16-million, 30,000-square-foot multipurpose arts facility, the unveiling of a glass sculpted "donor wall" and a special presentation to major donors John and Judith Bedrosian for whom the center is named. Entertainment was provided by student and alumni OCS performers.

The auditorium, with seating for up to 600 and state-of-the-art stage, lighting and professional fly-rigging, will be used for the school's theatrical performances and other productions. The lower level of the doublestory Pavilion contains a band room, choir room, dance studio, Dr. Stephen Sommers' piano lab, practice rooms, Curtis Black Box Theatre, Downey Burnett Teacher Core and the Sommers Family Media Studio with professional control room and soundproof recording booth.

A large banner signed by all OCS students and faculty was dropped from the stage ceiling during the presentation to the Bedrosians.

The building is the dream of cofounder Dallas Price VanBreda, who envisioned a topofthe-line performing arts facility that would provide students with every opportunity to experience the full spectrum of today's world of media and performing arts.

Oaks Christian School, now in its eighth year, is a nondenominational Christian school for grades six through 12.