BEVERLY HILLS, September 17, 2009 –  Jonathan Weedman, Regional Vice President, Wells Fargo Foundation, is the new Chairman of the Board for the Young Musicians Foundation, it was announced by YMF Executive Director, Edye Rugolo.

Weedman, a Los Angeles native, previously served on the YMF board prior to stepping up to his new role as chairman.  In his role as Wells Fargo’s regional vice president, based at the company’s Beverly Hills headquarters, Weedman is responsible for managing the charitable contributions for Los Angeles, the company’s largest market.

“To say we are fortunate to have Jonathan as our new chairman would be an understatement,” said Rugolo.  “His passion for classical music, in addition to his experience, is of great value to YMF at this time when so many non-profits are struggling due to the economic downturn.  We are very optimistic that, under Jonathan’s direction, we will weather these times and continue to serve the young men and women who wish to make their livelihoods performing as classical musicians.”

“It is with great enthusiasm and pride that I accept this position of YMF’s chairman of the board,” said Weedman.  “This is an amazing institution that has taken up the slack in assisting young people develop their interest in music when the budgets of Los Angeles’ school system have slashed all creative programs.  Under YMF’s many programs, young pre-professionals have gone on to careers performing in orchestras throughout the country and the world.  Of the tens of thousands of non-profits registered in Los Angeles, it is estimated that 25 percent of these will not survive through 2009.  It is my devout resolution that YMF will continue to be an important institution in this city, promoting interest in classical music.”

Weedman has served on the YMF board since 2005.  He began his career with Wells Fargo in 1989 as a business banking officer at the Los Angeles Main office, where he was responsible for the development and management of new and existing business banking client account relationships.  Later, he joined the Premiere Banking Division, where he developed business for numerous non-profit organizations in the Southern California market.  At the height of his banking career, his portfolio included management of more than 400 local non-profit charitable institutions.

Weedman attended the University of Southern California and the University of California, Los Angeles, where he was awarded his bachelor’s degree in 1983.

In addition to YMF, Weedman currently serves on the board of the Los Angeles Philharmonic, Southern California’s Grantmakers and the L.A. Parks Foundation.  He is also a member of the United Way of Los Angeles Community Investment cabinet and served as chair of the 2008 UW Home Walk committee and is a member of the Children’s Hospital of Los Angeles Foundation Giving committee.  Weedman also has served on the boards of Project Angel Food in Los Angeles as vice chairman, the West Angeles Community Development Corporation, the American Heart Association and was chairman of the 2006 Southern California Association of Philanthropy Annual Conference.

Weedman is the recipient of numerous awards for his community service from organizations such as the American Heart Association, Gay and Lesbian Elder Housing, Shakespeare Festival L.A., Para Los Niños, AIDS Service Center Pasadena, Aid for AIDS, Project New Hope, Bilingual Foundation of the Arts and Operation Hope.

YOUNG MUSICIANS FOUNDATION

Founded by Sylvia Kunin in 1955, Young Musicians Foundation has been a national treasure and the Los Angeles “home team” for more than 50 years.  YMF is one of the oldest and most respected youth organizations on the West coast serving young musicians both locally and nationwide by providing performance opportunities, financial assistance, and music education programs to thousands of young musicians at all stages of development each year.

YMF administers the following youth programs: Debut Orchestra, Conductor-in-Training post, BMI Composer-in-Residence, Scholarship Program, Chamber Music Series, Arts Management Training Program, National Debut Competition, School Outreach Program, Mentor Artists Program, National Orchestra Camp, and Instrument Loan Program. More information is available at www.ymf.org.