Donor Spotlight: Claudia Morales
For Claudia Morales, the arts are woven into her DNA.
Her grandfather was a tango instructor, a passion he passed down to Claudia’s mother, who went on to own a dance studio in Colombia.
As a young girl, Claudia explored ballet, jazz, contemporary dance and traditional Colombian dance, including cumbia. Dance became a way for her to express herself while discovering and connecting more deeply with her culture.
“Performing was more than an activity for me. It was a way to express myself, connect with my culture and be part of a community,” Claudia says. “My family really shaped my appreciation for the arts. Although I never got to experience my grandfather’s dancing firsthand, those stories gave me a strong connection to the arts and to him.”
Growing up surrounded by the arts from such a young age ultimately shaped Claudia’s appreciation for them and her desire to remain involved.
LEAVING A MARK
Years later, after making Central Florida her home, Claudia’s connection to the arts continued to grow. She first visited Dr. Phillips Center in 2022 to see Hamilton. When she heard the Broadway sensation was coming to Orlando, she knew she had to be there.
The experience left an impression. What began as one memorable performance soon became a reason to return to Dr. Phillips Center again and again, experiencing more performances and discovering the many ways the arts center connects the community with the arts.
In 2024, Claudia became a Luminary donor, inspired by a desire to help ensure that others could experience the same sense of connection and joy she had found through the arts growing up.
“There’s something special about supporting the arts in your community and helping create access for people who may not otherwise have the opportunity,” Claudia says. “Supporting the many programs and initiatives at the arts center feels like planting a seed for the kind of community I want to see in the future—one where the arts are accessible, welcoming and available to everyone.”
WHY SHE GIVES
For Claudia, Dr. Phillips Center represents more than a place to see a performance. It is a place designed with the entire community in mind—one where people can experience the arts, discover their own creative potential and feel a sense of belonging.
One moment in particular made that impact feel especially personal.
Claudia vividly remembers having the opportunity to meet Michael James Scott, an Orlando native who formerly played the Genie in Disney’s Aladdin on Broadway.
“That experience made me think about how much talent exists right here in our own community and how many more incredible artists we could help discover and nurture if we continue investing in the arts,” Claudia says. “It made the impact feel very personal to me.”
The arts played a meaningful role in Claudia’s own life, and today, she is paying that experience forward by helping create opportunities for others in her community.
“For me, it’s really about investing in the kind of community I want to live in—one where everyone has the opportunity to experience, participate in and be inspired by the arts,” she says. “Knowing that my support can play even a small role in creating that future is what makes philanthropy so rewarding.”
How You Can Join
Like Claudia, you can help share the love of the performing arts with more people in our community. Your gift can support our vision of Arts For Every Life®.
Interested in becoming a donor and gaining early access to your favorite shows? Enjoy exclusive benefits while supporting a cause you love.