Gifts in Action: Friends of Christina Kim

By UMS

K12 classes arriving at Hill Auditorium

Imagine yourself walking into Hill Auditorium at 10:45 am on a weekday…

The streets are lined with yellow school buses, and kids stream into the venue. The lobby is buzzing with the chatter of young voices and teachers ushering classes to their seats. Inside the auditorium, you can feel the excitement and anticipation building, which comes to a peak as the artists take the stage and are greeted by the yells and cheers of more than 2,000 children. THIS is a UMS School Day Performance!

K-12 educational opportunities are core pieces of UMS’s mission that require significant resources. This year, a generous group of friends took a creative approach to show their support: Bill and Caitlin Beuche, Amanda and Bennett Borsuk, Laura and Brian Hayden, Omari Rush, and Preeti and Tim Schaden decided to combine their individual donations to be able to sponsor a UMS School Day Performance in honor of their friend and UMS Board Co-Chair, Christina Kim.

Christina Kim, UMS Board Co-Chair welcomes K-12 students to Hill Auditorium alongside UMS staff members Anné Renforth and Cayenne Harris.

UMS School Day Performances are wonderful examples of the extensive Learning & Engagement programming offered by UMS. From music to theater to modern dance, these performances feature some of the world’s best artists and use the arts to ignite student imagination and support student growth and development.

“Our children attended UMS school day performances when they were younger. It is such an important opportunity for youngsters to experience performing art in ways they may not otherwise so they can see a world beyond their own. I love that we have that in our community. I am also so proud of the work Christina is doing and how much she gives back. Doing this felt like the perfect way to honor and support an amazing organization and individual all at once.”
– Preeti Schaden

The Schaden Family with Christina Kim’s kids

“By leveraging the world-class performers it presents to provide exposure to kids who, in many cases, aren’t getting enough music in their lives, UMS can help to forment creativity and inspire the next generation of performers and fans. That’s crucial to the survival of our great cultural institutions.”
– Bill Beuche

“As a former staff member at UMS who managed K-12 education programming, I have witnessed firsthand the impact of arts education and integration in young children’s lives. It is a full circle moment for me to now have an opportunity to philanthropically support these important endeavors at UMS and honor Christina’s outstanding contribution to the organization.”
– Omari Rush

Charles and Christina Kim with Omari Rush

“To savor music in this way can inspire a lifelong love of music and enhance their desire to learn more about it. Many will recall these performances for their entire lives. We make this donation in honor of Christina Kim, a dear friend, who has dedicated much to support UMS in their tireless effort to bring Ann Arbor together through music.”
– Amanda Borsuk

Bennett and Amanda Borsuk with Christina and Charles Kim.

“Strong school systems are important to any thriving community. I appreciate and support UMS’s programming that allows students throughout Southeast Michigan to be able to experience and appreciate the arts. (And of course it’s always fun to support a good friend who is doing great things for our community.)”
– Laura Hayden

K-12 students at a UMS School Day Performance

On February 24, 2025, “Friends of Christina Kim” will be recognized as a sponsor of Third Coast Percussion’s School Day Performance. This collaborative gift has offered a special opportunity for the group, many of whom have children of their own, to direct their support to an area of UMS’s programming that not only has great need but has been personally impactful, while at the same time highlighting Chritina Kim’s incredible leadership and impact on UMS.