Honoring Spencer Lemann,
Recipient of the 2019 'Outstanding Young Philanthropist' Award!
On November 7th, 2019, Spencer Lemann, 19, was presented with the 'Outstanding Young Philanthropist' Award by Carol Rosenstein (Co-Founder & Director of Music Mends Minds) on behalf of The Association of Fundraising Professionals Greater Los Angeles Chapter!
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Music Mends Minds is a nonprofit that creates musical support groups for patients with various neurodegenerative diseases, which help foster community between one another through their passion for music-making.
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Spencer is being recognized for his outstanding contributions to Music Mends Minds since its first day in 2014. As a musical volunteer, Spencer has used his deep passion and exceptional talent in music to create and share in the joy of music with our MMM family. His open heart and compassion for those he performs with and everyone else around him have uplifted their spirits in ways so few can. He has never missed a band gig, and we are beyond proud to see how much he has grown both within our family and in his countless other endeavors.
Spencer Lemann is a multi-instrumentalist, vocalist, composer, songwriter, and producer. A Junior at USC’s Thornton School of Music, he is a merit scholarship recipient and made Dean’s List. He’s part of USC’s Afro-Cuban ensemble, ALAJE, co-founder of The Pop Initiative, and performs with other ensembles, including the Livingston, Serfaty, and Stever Combos. The Spencer Lemann Trio performed at LA Jazz Society’s VIP receptions for Quincy Jones and for Alan and Marilyn Bergman, and at this year's Los Angeles Police Gala in Pasadena.
For years Spencer has performed supporting America’s veterans at the Veterans Fair in Sherman Oaks and the VA Hospital. He supported Lemonade Warriors, TCP Hurricane Florence survivors, and Keep Families Together. For his Eagle Scout project, Spencer created a Super Hero Library at the Watts Sheriff’s Station.
Spencer’s honors include YoungArts Merit Winner in 3 categories (Classical Composition, Jazz Composition, and Jazz Guitar), Spotlight Semifinalist, Outstanding Soloist at The Fullerton Jazz Festival, and the SCSBOA and CBDA Honor Jazz Bands. He was selected to the LA Philharmonic’s Associate Composer Program, The YoungArts Composer Program, and the Wallis Annenberg Center’s Art of the Small Ensemble.
Spencer has composed and co-composed scores, performed, and engineered soundtracks for theater, poetry, and award-winning short films, including the Emmy-winning series, “Little Los Angeles”, featuring Anthony Bourdain, and Catherine Deptuch’s “La Pêche de Mort”. He is preparing to release the second original CD in his series, “Fourked”.
Spencer is a National Merit Semifinalist, scored a perfect 36 on the ACT, and is an Eagle Scout.
Windward School wisely connected Spencer with Music Mends Minds, and he went on to serve as student advisor to MMM’s board and create their theme song. Spencer continues his heartfelt support of MMM’s local bands, which are now like family.
Spencer feels deeply grateful and blessed for all of his incredibly talented and nurturing teachers and mentors, and for the love and support of his Mom and Dad, family, and friends.