March 8, 2006

Mr. Zander has been profiled on the BBC and 60 Minutes, he is also the recipient of the United Nations “Caring Citizen of the Humanities Award.”

Benjamin Zander is a teacher, Conductor of the Boston Philharmonic Orchestra, and one of the world's most sought-after speakers on leadership and creativity. Mr. Zander will offer his highly acclaimed message to a wide range of Palm Beach County citizens on March 27 and 28 in two presentations organized by Palm Beach County Cultural Council with partners U.S. Trust, Raymond F. Kravis Center for the Performing Arts, Mary and Robert Pew Public Education Fund, the School District and the Education Foundation of Palm Beach County.

Mr. Zander's presentation, The Art of Possibility, has been described as “a journey that offers a startling new perspective on leadership.” According to Mr. Zander, “Through stories, music and concepts, it causes a radical shift in perception. This is not a speech. It is an experience!” Mr. Zander has traveled the globe addressing groups such as Disney, Merrill Lynch, AT&T, IBM, NASA and the U.S. Army. He is a four-time keynote speaker at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Sweden, where he also received the Crystal Award for “Outstanding Contributions to the Arts and International Relations.” Mr. Zander co-authored with his partner, leading psychotherapist Rosamund Zander, the best-selling book, The Art of Possibility, which has been translated into fifteen languages.

“Mr. Zander has helped and inspired some of the world’s most dynamic organizations, and U.S. Trust is extremely excited to help present his message to our community, and its corporate and cultural leaders,” Ms. Susie Boren, U.S Trust’s Vice President of Marketing says about the symposium.

Mr. Zander presents The Art of Possibility in a “Community Symposium” for a diverse audience of business and community leaders, board members and senior management staff from area cultural organizations, Corporate Members of the Cultural Council, assistant principals, the Youth Cultural Council and other invitees. The presentation will take place at the Palm Beach County Convention Center in West Palm Beach on March 27 from 3:00 to 5:30 p.m. Prior to the engagement, Mr. Zander will meet with members of the Cultural Council's new Youth Cultural Council, which comprises 60 students from high schools across the County.

“We’re really reaching out to all cornerstones in the County,” Says Judith Mitchell, Kravis Center, CEO. “Mr. Zander’s messages and boundless energy are universally inspirational.”

In a separate, special training session for Palm Beach County educators, Mr. Zander will present The Art of Possibility for all the principals in the Palm Beach County School District, School Board members, key staff and a number of teachers on March 28.

In 1967 Mr. Zander joined the Faculty of the New England Conservatory (NEC), where he teaches the Interpretation Class, conducts the Youth Philharmonic Orchestra and regularly conducts the conservatory orchestras. Twenty years ago he became the Artistic Director of the joint program between NEC and Walnut Hill, a boarding high school for the Performing Arts in Natick, Massachusetts. He has taken the Youth Philharmonic on twelve international tours, made five commercial recordings and several PBS documentaries.

“Mr. Zander truly does some amazing work with young people, and we’re really delighted to have a session with him that focuses on education,” says Tom Pearson, K-12 Arts Education Administrator for the School District of Palm Beach County.

Mr. Zander also will participate in private receptions and dinners with Cultural Council Corporate Members, sponsors and other special guests. His visit is being funded in part through generous support provided by the U.S. Trust, Raymond F. Kravis Center for the Performing Arts, Mary and Robert Pew Public Education Fund, the School District, and the Education Foundation of Palm Beach County.

“We are extremely excited to be able to bring Benjamin Zander to Palm Beach County,” says Rena Blades, President and CEO of the Cultural Council. “Whether he is addressing top executives of Fortune 500 companies or conducting world-class orchestras, Ben is incredibly successful in challenging and energizing his audiences. We are proud to make Ben available in support of our ongoing efforts to demonstrate the important role that arts and culture plays in education as well as the value it can bring to the business sector.”

The March 27 Convention Center event is free and open to the education, business and cultural communities; however space is limited and reservations must be made in advance. To RSVP call the Cultural Council at (561) 471-2901. RSVPs must be received by March 22. For more information, visit: www.palmbeachculture.com, or www.benjaminzander.com.

For further information, please contact:

Larry Boytano
Public Relations Coordinator
Palm Beach County Cultural Council
1555 Palm Beach Lakes Blvd., Suite 300
West Palm Beach, FL 33401
Tel. (561) 471-1601
Fax (561) 687-9484
lboytano@pbccc.org
www.palmbeachculture.com


The Palm Beach County Cultural Council was founded in 1978 by Alexander W. Dreyfoos as the Palm Beach County Council of the Arts to develop, coordinate and promote the arts and cultural activities throughout Palm Beach County. It is officially recognized by the Board of County Commissioners as the County's advisory agency for cultural development and administers a portion of local tourist development funds under contract with county government. It is an independent nonprofit membership organization with 501(c)(3) federal tax-exempt status, Florida Registration number SC01489. All contributions are deductible to the full extent of the law.
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