The aim of the Build a Better World Foundation is to support youth in this noble endeavor through music and the arts by sponsoring charity concerts and events. Donations to the Build a Better World Foundation go directly to the production of musical events, which not only nurture talent and leadership skills in the participating youth, but raise funds and awareness for existing charitable organizations and projects.
The Build a Better World Foundation believes that the pillars of the better world we all seek to create are education, social justice, natural health, sustainability, science and the arts. The proceeds from each of our events benefit worthwhile causes in these categories. Previous events have raised money for the Mona Foundation, Lide, the Earth Citizen Organization, Oceti Wakan, Full Circle Learning, and the Star School.
Build a Better World Foundation events also provide a platform for kids, teens, and students to find their voice, showcase their talent, and develop leadership skills as they participate in organizing and performing in productions.
By supporting or attending one of our events, you are multiplying the impact of your contribution, empowering the next generation, and building a better world for them to inherit.
The Inspiration
About Russ and Gina Garcia
Russell wrote his auto-biography before he passed away at age 95 in New Zealand, on 20 Nov 2011. Russell was a world renowned composer-arranger-conductor who has written music for over 100 films. He is known for his innovative music score for the film “Time Machine”. Garcia is also known in both the TV and recording fields and has composed music for countless TV shows such as, Rawhide, Twilight Zone, Laredo, and The Virginian. He has recorded many CDs in his own right, with stars such as, Louis Armstrong, Ella Fitzgerald, Vic Damone, Judy Garland, Oscar Peterson, Julie London, to name a few. Garcia has also written 2 best-selling text books The Professional Arranger-Composer “ Book I and Book II, which have been translated into 6 languages. He is known for his symphonic and classical works, which have been performed by the New Zealand Symphony, Munich Symphony, the Vienna Symphony, plus countless Radio Symphony Orchestras throughout Europe. He was often a guest lecturer at many universities around the world on Symphonic Composition Techniques. Russell and his wife Gina made New Zealand their home in 1971 while continuing to work in the Music and Film Industry. He was awarded the Queens Service Medal for his service to music in 2009.
Gina is a singer, lyricist and author who has written many scripts for shows she and husband Russell Garcia have produced around the world. She wrote the Libretto for the opera “The Unquenchable Flame” with Russell composing the music. Her book, “The Adventures of Dawn-Breaker”, chronicles a six year sailboat journey with Russell, cruising the South Pacific aboard their 41’ Trimaran. Together, Gina and Russell have produced CDs such as, “Light Up The World With Love”, “Dawn Of A New Day”, “Sweet Scented Streams”, etc. The Garcias developed a “Life Skills” Course which is an entertaining way to teach virtues to children using songs, raps, stories and games, and is being used in schools in many countries around the world. They have taught their program for some 39 years at schools in New Zealand. In April 2009, Gina was awarded the Queen’s Service medal for her service to music.
Meet the Team
The people who make our work possible
Gina Garcia
Kristy Corwin
Kristy Corwin is the creator and executive producer of the enthralling untold Hollywood story about legendary composer/arranger/conductor, Russell Garcia and wife, Gina Garcia. Russ Garcia was one of the most sought after Hollywood music composer/arranger/conductor’s of his time, working alongside celebrities like Ella Fitzgerald, Louis Armstrong, and Charlie Chaplin. The story is particularly captivating because Garcia often worked as a “ghost writer~ composer” who rarely took credit for the projects, Kristy currently serves as President and Executive Director of “Build A Better World Foundation” & CEO of “Build A Better World Productions”. Both organizations were founded and created, along with her grandmother, Gina Garcia, to carry forward the Legacy of Music and Humanitarian efforts, that her grandparents, Russell & Gina Garcia, dedicated their lives to around the world for over 60 years. She is also the producer of the musical they wrote, The Unquenchable Flame. Kristy has produced a tremendous number of concerts and events. She and her team are currently working on creating a concert at
The Hollywood Bowl, as well as a Documentary Film about Russ’ Music Career, which includes the Garcia’s extraordinary life story ~
“I Live a Charmed Life~The Untold Hollywood Story”.
Kristy has an extensive background in and passion for fashion and design and had founded and served as CEO of a Display & Design Company for over 20 years, designing stores, kiosks, carts, window displays, trade show exhibits, and home design consultancy. She worked with large mall corporations, mall tenants, suppliers and business owners. Due to her desire to improve her health and to help others, Kristy has been devoted to training and mastery in the area of Yoga, Energy Healing and Tai Chi since 2006.
Tamineh Roshanian
Tamineh Roshanian is an active member of California Bar (admitted in January 1989), and a graduate of Hastings College of the Law (JD, June 1988) and UCLA (BA 1985, Major in Economics and Latin American Studies). She is also a member of the DC Bar (admitted in 1994) and a practicing Solicitor in England (from 2004-2016). She has practiced commercial and business law in California and internationally for local and international clients while based in Los Angeles, CA (1988-1992), Washington DC (1992-1997), London (1997-2016) and Uzbekistan (1992-2005 while traveling back and forth), working for small and large international law firms as wells as her own practice in various jurisdictions. Tamineh’ s practice in Los Angeles includes international trade contracts, project finance and business & investment dispute resolution. She is a Board member of the newly registered Build a Better World Foundation.
Volunteers:
Curtis Corwin
Judy Kulp
Tamineh Roshanian
Jeff Long
Terrilynn Madrano & Bella
Aimee Porter
Rhonda Zucker
Adele Payman
Dennis Stafford
Michael Kennedy Media Engineering
Collis Stutzer
Aren Barnes
Capri Corwin
Jim Hagopian
Sponsors
Trader Joe’s Agoura Hills
