Our President/CEO

Our Founders

Board of Directors

Meet Our NEW
President & Chief Executive Officer

A smiling man dressed in a suit, tie, and light blue shirt, with dark hair, in an indoor setting with dim lighting and red accents in the background.

Ralph Opacic, Ed.D, President & C.E.O.

Ralph Opacic founded the award-winning Orange County School of the Arts (OCSA) in 1987 and currently serves as the Director of Opacic Consulting Group. In 2017, he helped establish OCSA’s first regional campus, California School of the Arts – San Gabriel Valley (CSArts-SGV), where he serves as Chief Executive Officer. Dr. Opacic is credited with assembling the finest arts and academic instructors in Southern California, as well as creating opportunities for young artists to develop their talents to their greatest potential. He is a distinguished arts education leader with over three decades of experience. As the Founder of the Orange County School of the Arts (OCSA), he passionately nurtured young artists, leaving an indelible legacy and a profound impact on arts education in Southern California and across the nation.

Widely awarded for his achievements in arts education, Dr. Opacic has been named an Outstanding Founder by the Association of Fundraising Professionals National Philanthropy Day Orange County, as well as the Orange County Arts Educator of the Year for Administration by Arts Orange County and the Orange County Music & Arts Administrators. He is also a recipient of the Excellence in Entrepreneurship Award by the Orange County Business Journal, the Cultural Legacy Award: Artistic Visionary by Arts Orange County, and the Outstanding Contribution to Education Award by the Orange County Department of Education. Additionally, he was once featured in OC Metro’s “Hot 25” list as someone “defining Orange County with passion, creativity, and an endless drive to make their mark.” Dr. Opacic has also received The Jeffrey Lawrence Award from Arts Schools Network (ASN) for exemplifying an uncompromising commitment to excellence in arts education and arts training. He believes that passion, dedication, perseverance, and unwavering vision are the cornerstones of success, embodying the saying “Vision is hitting a target that no one else can see”.

While under the leadership of Dr. Opacic, OCSA and CSArts-SGV have received top honors and recognition for excellence in both arts and academic education. OCSA has been named an Exemplary School by ASN (2018-2022), an Exceptional Charter School in Special Education by the National Association of Special Education Teachers (2017, 2018), a Recognized ACSA Model Program by the American School Counselor Association (2017, 2018), and a California Gold Ribbon School by the California Department of Education (2017). The school has also been named a Best High School in America by U.S. News & World Report (2008-2018) and a Best Charter High School by Niche Rankings (2015-2019). In 2018, during its inaugural year, CSArts-SGV received the ASN New and Emerging School Award.

Actively involved in the local arts community, Dr. Opacic has previously served as President of West Coast School of the Arts and President of Pacific Coast Dance Fest, two programs that provide musical theatre and dance lessons for children of all ages. He also served as the producer of Evolution Dance Company, the resident dance company at The OC Pavilion (which OCSA acquired in 2010 and transformed into the school’s Center for the Arts). He has been working as a consultant in some of the major art schools across the nation like the Harlem School of the Arts. Cincinnati School of Creative and Performing Arts and the Booker T. Washington School of the Arts in Dallas. Dr. Opacic also spent two years serving as President of the Board for ASN, a nonprofit that serves more than a thousand arts-focused schools, arts organizations, and arts education leaders nationwide. He served on the Executive Board of Pathways to Independence, a charity that serves adolescents in need. He is the past President of the Society of Delta Epsilon at University of Southern California and has served in board and member capacities for the Los Alamitos Television Corporation, Los Alamitos Youth Center, and Rotary Club of Los Alamitos.

Dr. Opacic earned his Bachelor of Arts degree in music from California State University, Long Beach in 1981, a Master of Science degree in educational administration from National University in 1990, and a Doctoral degree in education from University of Southern California in 1994.

Meet Our Our Founders

Founder Mr. Charles Zhang

Charles Zhang, Founder

Mr. Zhang is the founder of Zion Enterprises and a celebrated entrepreneur and success story. With only $20 US dollars in his pocket and unrelenting determination, Charlie created the food brand called Pick Up Stix. Within a decade, Charlie had built an empire with more than 100 Pick Up Stix locations, and a commissary that streamlined the preparation of each menu item.

He then established Zion Enterprises, a real estate development company that has been involved in over $200 million dollars worth of commercial, retail and residential projects in the Western United States. Revitalizing communities and adding value at every level are among Zion Enterprises’ core tenets to this day.

Among his awards are “Entrepreneur of the Year” by Ernst and Young and the “Spirit of Life” award from the City of Hope. In addition, he received the “Distinguished Business for Science and Technology” award, and “Beijing International Entrepreneur of the Year.” Managing capital for the greater good occupies 100% of his passion and attention.

CEO Mr. Douglas Freeman

Doug Freeman, Executive Chair

Mr. Freeman comes to this role after a long career as a lawyer, businessman, civic leader, and philanthropist. He served in a variety of capacities within the nonprofit field, including Board Chair of the Pacific Symphony, where he is now a Lifetime Trustee, and Board Member now Trustee Emeritus, at the California Institute of the Arts.

During his long career, Doug provided strategic planning and organizational management advice for business, nonprofit, foundation, and family clients throughout the United States. He has received a number of awards and recognition, among them inclusion in the Orange County Business Journal's list of the 500 Most Influential People in Orange County (2016, 2020). In 2019 he was the recipient of the prestigious Ellis Island Medal of Honor, which recognizes individuals whose mission is to generously share their knowledge, compassion, unique talents and, gifts with those less fortunate. Doug is the founder of National Philanthropy Day, proclaimed by Congress, signed by President Ronald Reagan in 1986, and celebrated throughout the United States.

Meet Our Board of Directors

Our Board of Directors and Executive Leadership bring together leaders in arts, education, business, and philanthropy — guiding OC Music & Dance with a shared commitment to access, excellence, and community impact.

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    Charlie Zhang

    Founder / Chairman

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    Douglas Freeman

    Executive Chair

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    Ralph S. Opacic, Ed. D.

    CEO

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    Jerry Mandel

    Board Member

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    John E. Forsyte

    Board Member

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    Dawn Reese

    Board Member

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    Kristi L. Jacob

    Board Member

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    Jo Ellen Chatham

    Board Member

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    Carol Choi

    Board Member

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    Leona Aronoff-Sadacca

    Board Member

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    Framroze M. Virjee

    Board Member

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    Charles D. Fritch, M.D.

    Board Member

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    Valerie Imhof

    Board Member

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    Patrick Brien

    Board Member

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    Peter Doerken

    Board Member

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    John Gates

    Board Member

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    Craig Springer

    Board Member