She was a humanitarian and a philanthropist. She was a UCLA Bruin and a businesswoman. She was a champion for education.
Mimi Alpert Feldman passed away at her home in Beverly Hills on February 9, 2026, surrounded by her family and friends. Among those who mourn her passing are all those she touched at The UCLA Herb Alpert School of Music.
For nearly half a century—48 years—Mimi Alpert Feldman’s scholarships have directly funded more than 100 students. Affectionately called “Mimi Scholars,” those who have received the scholarship have moved on to astounding success. More than 90% are now in performance, academic or music education careers.
“Mimi Alpert Feldman’s scholarships have been lifelines for our music students,” said Michael Beckerman, dean of the school of music. “But what stands out is how deeply affected the students have been by her caring and sensitivity, and how deeply personal they consider their connection with Mimi.”
She was a benefactor and a nurturer. She was a leader and a mentor. She was a passionate advocate of the arts.
Mimi Scholars always noted her keen interest in their careers, her penetrating questions. Her interest was more than topical. In the early years of her scholarship giving, she interviewed candidates. She kept up with their stories and studies. She stayed in touch after they graduated. It made a lasting impression.
“I was struck by your warmth, kindness and generosity during our interview,” wrote Vanessa Martucci (MM 2018) in a card she sent to Mimi Feldman upon learning she was awarded the scholarship in 2017. “Thank you for the kindness you have shown, not just to me, but to the career you are supporting.”
Mimi Scholars all had exceptional promise, but many came from families that could not make the financial commitment necessary to pursue an education and career in music and the arts. Her scholarships made it possible. But what stood out for Mimi Scholars was not just the generosity of their benefactor, but her genuine empathy.
“Thank you for listening to my first-generation story as a young Latin-American woman,” wrote Hanna Yocute (2018, MM 2020) in a letter to Mimi Feldman after receiving a scholarship to pursue her master’s degree in music performance. “I have had a sense of liberation. It is a blessing to be able to focus solely on practicing my instrument, my studies, and still have time to collaborate with musical friends and organizations here on campus.”
Many Mimi Scholars echoed this sentiment—that to take full advantage of an arts education requires time and the freedom from having to work outside of school. “The economy is not friendly to the arts or to work-life balance,” said Christina Obledo-Esser (MM 2020), “But now I can focus on my studies, and not be so overwhelmed by work. Words can’t express how grateful I am.”
Sierra Allen (DMA 2022) had wanted to earn a doctoral degree since Middle School, but was uncertain how she would fund the full cost. When she opened the card naming her as a Mimi Scholar, she found the support that she needed.
“Mrs. Feldman, when I pulled out the card today, I wasn’t expecting this, it was quite the shock to me,” said Allen, in a voicemail she left for Feldman. “I get to play for people and do what I love, and not everyone gets to say that. It’s such a gift.”
Mimi Feldman’s direct contact with those who received her scholarships proved a lasting connection. Liliana Filipovic (MM 1995), who received Mimi Alpert Feldman scholarships in 1994 and 1995, recalled fondly about how Feldman genuinely cared about UCLA students, and believed that investing in student education was the highest calling.
“She inspired me,” said Filipovic, who made public service an important part of her professional music career. She served on the inaugural City of Beverly Hills Arts and Culture Commission, has become a UCLA scholarship donor herself and serves on the inaugural UCLA Herb Alpert School of Music Alumni Board. “The spirit of her kindness and generosity lives on in every student who walks through the our doors, and has shaped the school of music’s future for many generations to come.”
This was a theme echoed by the school’s faculty. “The example she set for students and the connections she cultivated lasted,” said James Bass, chair of the Department of Music Performance, Education & Composition. “These are the students who become the performers and teachers most likely to touch others’ lives, to mentor the next generation.”
The scholarship that Mimi Alpert Feldman started in 1978 is now The UCLA Herb Alpert School of Music’s longest-standing annual scholarship. Her legacy can be traced in the lives of the scholars she supported, and those students the endowed scholarship will support in the future.
She was generous, she was genuine. She will not be forgotten.
Mimi Scholars
Rhio Barnhart, 1979
Daryll Stevens, 1979
Sharon Paul, 1980
Soichiro Matsumoto, 1981
Eric Kujawsky, 1982
Susan Schoemann Rosenstein, 1983
Stephanie Henry, 1984
Matthew Elgart, 1985
Charles Fernandez, 1986
Der Shin Hwang, 1987
Michele Tiff-Soderberg Hill, 1987
Hung-Wen (Wendy) Shih, 1988
Chiz Szu-Tsu, 1989
Amanda J. Walker, 1990
Jeong-Eun Kim, 1991
Edit Patocs, 1992
Mei Zhong, 1994
Liliana Filipovic, 1995
Walter Marsh, 1995
Esther Lee, 1996
Rebecca Semrau, 1996
Myoung-Gyu Lee, 1997
Ray M. Nowak, 1997
Katharina Olivia Brand, 1998
Jennifer W. Kelly, 1998
Dr. Peter P. Morris, 1998
Dorina Markova (Markoff), 1999
Ray R. Sanchez-Arceo, 2000
Rodrigo Warken, 2001
Dennis Doubin, 2002
Maria Alice de Mendonca, 2002
Francis J. Garvey, 2002
Tsoline Hajian, 2003
Chelsea Green, 2003, 2004
Mei-I (Charlotte) Shih (Komine), 2004
Mary Hofman, 2005
Cha-Lin Liu, 2005
Andrey Astaiza, 2007
Brandi Babb (Crosby), 2007
Gregory Chambers, 2007
Boryana Popova, 2007
David Ruest, 2007
Lauren Michelle Criddle, 2008
Ambroise Aubrun, 2009
Lisa Hendrickson, 2009
Rebecca Lord, 2009
Joseph R. Muñoz, 2009
Alexandra Roedder, 2009
Nicole Taylor, 2009
Julia Barnett, 2010
Krystle Casey, 2010
Lusine Marukyan, 2010
Sanaz Rezai, 2010
Anna Sarkisova, 2010
Aubrey Scarr, 2010
Jorge Luis Uzcátegui, 2010
Natalia Kartashova, 2008, 2011
Annamarie Arai-Lopez, 2012
Leslie Cook, 2011, 2012
Simone Deleon-Jones (Deleon-Pina), 2011, 2012
Goni Eshed, 2011, 2012
Nicholas LaGesse, 2011, 2012
David Lee, 2011, 2012
Sara Canning (ne Marsh), 2011, 2012
Stephen Mason, 2011, 2012
Alicia Mastromonaco, 2011, 2012
Antonio Pina, 2011, 2012
Hillary Smith, 2011, 2012
Ji Young An, 2010, 2013
Nikolaus Adrian Keelaghan, 2013
David Pittel, 2013
Jure Počkaj, 2013
Caitlin Brody, 2014
Oliver Chan , 2014
Ryan Dudenbostel, 2014
Dawn Hamilton, 2014
Tristan Hurd, 2014
Myroslava Khomik, 2014
Andrew Bundo Kim, 2014
Caroline Mason, 2014
Danielle Palomares (ne Ordunio), 2014
Forrest Powell, 2014
Yujia (Janet) Shen, 2014
Andrew Munro, 2016
Anna Corcoran, 2016
Joanna Lynn-Jacobs, 2016
Stephanie Nagler, 2016
Ian Walker, 2016
Geoffrey Pope, 2016
Seth Shaffer, 2016
Annie Sherman, 2016
Andrew Picket, 2016
Juila Metzler, 2016
Timothy Rantung, 2016
Stephanie Deprez, 2017
Xenia Deviatkina-Loh, 2017
Ge Gao, 2017
Dawn Hamilton, 2017
Joseph Kim, 2017
Matthew Lombard, 2017
Jennie Olivia, 2017
Morgan O’Shaughnessey, 2017
Aidan Ritchie, 2017
Emily Scott, 2017
Wan (Rosalind) Wong, 2017
Erica Campbell, 2018
Brianne Cardona-Frey, 2018
Michelle Drever, 2018
Kathyrn Lillich, 2018
Vanessa Martucci, 2018
Juan Rivera, 2018
Priyanka Venkatesh, 2018
Pedro Gomez, 2019
Katharina Haberl, 2019
Anastasia Petanova, 2019
Michelle Rice, 2019
Ellen Shinogle, 2019
Jacelyn Yeo, 2019
Hanna Yocute, 2019
Sierra Allen, 2020
Justin Birchell, 2020
Christina Esser, 2020
Robby Good, 2020
Kelsey Ma, 2020
Kian Ravaei, 2020
Erika Wilsen, 2020
Ethan Yu, 2020
Jaewon Ahn, 2021
Austin Ali, 2021
Liyi (Lavinia) Chen, 2021
Ryan Kuperman, 2021
Julia Johnson, 2021
Kim Mendez, 2021
Bruno Bastos Do Nascimento, 2021
Christina Perez, 2021
Emma Breen, 2022
Austin Ho, 2022
Hanna Hrybkova, 2022
Nicholas Kim, 2022
Arutyun Piloyan, 2022
Michelle Rice, 2022
Gabrielle Rosse Owens, 2022
Viraj Sonawala, 2022
Tivoli Treloar, 2022
Jacob Freiman, 2023
Erica Hou, 2023
Feona Jones, 2023
Sergey Nesterov , 2023
Errol Rhoden, 2023
Yijin Wang, 2023
Austin Ali, 2024
Daniel Reyes-Velarde, 2024
Cayden Bloomer, 2024
Sydney Wang, 2024
Ginger Rose Brucker, 2024
Kevin Cornwell, 2024
Cyrus Alva, 2024
Dawson Lam, 2024
Madison Berchtold, 2025
Jamily (Yung-Chieh) Chieh Lee, 2025
Jacob Harrison, 2025
Johnathan Ma, 2025
Isabelle Ragsac, 2025
Olivia Salazar, 2025
Alessio Santolini Raggi, 2025