ORANGE, Calif. --Robert Becker, Assistant Professor of Music and Director of String Studies at Chapman University, has been voted "Artist of the Year" by Arts Orange County. The Orange County Arts Awards will be presented in the Samueli Theatre at the Orange County Performing Arts Center this Wednesday, Sept 23.

Other recipients of this year’s Orange County Arts Awards include Carl St.Clair, music director of the Pacific Symphony, recipient of the Helena Modjeska Cultural Legacy Award; and the Hal and Jeanette Segerstrom family as Philanthropists of the Year, among others.

Continuing his 25+ years as principal viola of the Pacific Symphony, Prof. Becker has been invited to write the program "essay" for Maestro St. Clair's 20th anniversary year for all OC Performing Arts Center publications in 2009-2010. Serving as principal and solo viola for American Ballet Theater’s residency at the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion this summer, he also was solo and principal viola for George Clooneys' newest film, Up in the Air, as well as the season opener for television’s Desperate Housewives.

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