Former prof will serve on music board


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Neal Millard, a former adjunct professor of international finance at the USC Gould School of Law, was appointed Monday to the Board of Directors of The Music Center, a renowned performing arts center in Los Angeles. Millard joins fellow new directors David Gindler, Joyce Hameetman, Joseph Rice and Carla Sands at The Music Center.

A partner of California business law firm Musick, Peeler & Garrett, LLP, Millard is currently an attorney representing USC Hybrid High, a charter school in Downtown Los Angeles linked to the USC Rossier School of Education.

Though he last taught at USC in 2008 and returns upon teaching requests, Millard still treasures the Trojan connection.

“One of the things I hope to do as a board member is to help work with the education committee to spread fine arts to local high schools and middle schools, one of which will be USC Hybrid High since they’re right in Downtown and can easily walk to the Music Center,” he said. “I’ve been talking to Dean Gallagher [of Rossier] and have been working on perhaps having USC Hybrid High participate in some Music Center events.”

Law and finance might not have an apparent link to the fine arts, but Millard said he finds joy in both.

“My interest in the arts, the reason why I’m serving on the board, was that I’ve always been interested in theatre. I’ve been a season-holder to the Ahmanson since the 1970s. I enjoy concerts, theaters, opera,” he said.

Millard will be serving a four-year term on the board, working to strengthen the Music Center’s connection with education.