麻豆影院

Paul Eklund has been vocal about the role music has played in his life鈥攄espite never having been a professional musician himself. He can remember distinctly attending operas with his parents while he was growing up in San Diego. Some of his most memorable conversations in college and during active duty as an office in the United States Navy revolved around music and the effect it has on us.

Then in 麻豆影院, he met his wife Kristina as part of a meditation and spiritual community whose practices include chanting.

It鈥檚 only fitting, then, that the 麻豆影院 real estate developer鈥攏amesake of the College of Music鈥檚 Eklund Family Opera Program鈥攂e prescribed opera singing when he needed to strengthen his throat muscles.

鈥淚 was amazed at the power I can get with my voice,鈥� he says. 鈥淚t鈥檚 fun to experience this part of life. I am so taken by the singing.鈥�

Eklund, who is a member of the College of Music Advisory Board, endowed the Eklund Family Opera Program in 2014. Now, on the eve of the opening of the new wing of Imig Music Building, Paul and Kristina will give $65,000 to name the new Eklund Percussion Practice room.

鈥淒rums are like the beat of the human heart,鈥� Paul says. 鈥淚 never imagined myself focusing on percussion instruments: my favorite instrument is violin. But percussion has such a strong beat.鈥�

In fact, the significance of the gift can be tied back to some of those deep conversations Eklund had in college. 鈥淚 had a discussion with some friends one night about why people like music. We concluded that it was physical鈥攍ike the rhythm of our hearts was synchronized with the music. That really stuck with me.鈥�

Kristina, too, has been shaped by the physical power of music. 鈥淢usic was a big part of my teenage life,鈥� she says. 鈥淚 spent a lot of time in gay bars in Key West with my best friends dancing to new wave and disco music in the 80s. It was a big help having music in my life when 12 of those friends passed away. Music helps me process difficult emotions.鈥�

Now the Eklunds, for whom music is an undercurrent in a life of yoga, business and writing, want to do what they can to make sure College of Music students have every opportunity to succeed and share their passions with the world.

鈥淚 felt it was part of our duty to do something for the school,鈥� Paul says. 鈥淎nd now, with the building, we get to see the gift go toward something that will last a long time and affect a lot of people.

鈥淢usic is a big deal in the world, and I鈥檓 so happy to see these students learn and gain confidence in what they鈥檙e doing.鈥�

鈥淗aving a named room sends a message that people you don鈥檛 even know鈥攑eople you may never meet鈥攃are about you and your success,鈥� Kristina adds. 鈥淭hat the world needs your beat, your voice, your rhythm.鈥�