ROTARY LUNCHEON: Blue Bear School of Music

Blue Bear School of Music is the original school of rock and roll. Since 1971, more than 35,000 people of all ages have learned to play the music they love at Blue Bear. Today, the school leads the way in bringing music education programming into underserved communities citywide in San Francisco. Blue Bear is proud to count Glide Memorial, the Bayview YMCA, the San Francisco Public Library, and St. Joseph's Family Shelter as its partners.

Dr. Steven Savage is a co-founder and currently Executive Director of Blue Bear School of Music in San Francisco. For much of Steve’s career, he has been an active producer and recording engineer and has been the primary engineer on eight records that received Grammy nominations, including CD’s for Robert Cray, John Hammond, The Gospel Hummingbirds and Elvin Bishop (2017). He is a former Chapter President and National Trustee of the San Francisco Chapter of the Recording Academy (the Grammy organization). Steve received a Ph.D. in musicology from the University of London and teaches in the Humanities Department at San Francisco State University. Steve has two recently published books: The Art of Digital Audio Recording from Oxford University Press, and Bytes & Backbeats: Repurposing Music in the Digital Age from The University of Michigan Press.

Renee Richardson is best known for her work at KFOG radio in San Francisco. During her 17-year career as an on-air personality, she helped to create and curate the KFOG Local Scene music series and has always felt a passion for those who create the music. Having served as a member of the Board of Trustees for Blue Bear School of Music, it was brought to her attention that she might be good at development. Renee also serves on the Board of Directors for Project Glimmer and is an experienced emcee as well as a Missouri School of Auction-trained auctioneer. Most recently Renee can be found playing radio on Sundays at KRSH 95.9 (Santa Rosa).

In today’s program, Steve will introduce the school, and Renee will introduce a father-daughter duo, Ben and Maddy Black, who will perform for us. Join us for lunch and great music.

This is a weekly membership meeting for The Rotary Club of San Francisco, open to all Rotarians, visiting Rotarians, prospective members, and guests.

Each luncheon ticket includes a three-course lunch. Tickets for Club members are $35 each; $30 if you register online in advance. Non-member tickets are $40 each. Payment by credit card or check is preferred. Tickets available for purchase only at the door.