Tributes Pour in for Beverly Hills High School's Joel Pressman

For nearly 40 years, Beverly Hills High School performing arts teacher Joel Pressman inspired hundreds to pursue their voice and love of music, and he had a profound impact on many others not just in Beverly Hills, but in greater Los Angeles singing circles and beyond.

Those same students, alumni, friends and colleagues returned the favor Sept. 22 in a more than five-hour gathering at Will Rogers Memorial Park to sing and simply share love for their teacher, who recently announced he is dying of abdominal cancer and only has about two months to live, reports the Jewish Journal.

The outpouring of love and reflection continues on a Facebook page set up for Pressman by his closest former students. Many individually express how Pressman shaped their high school lives and years thereafter, including the numerous highlights from Beverly Hills High School's choral programs, including the Madrigal Singers.

Donning the shirt "I'm am not dead yet," Press led the park gathering in a final performance of "Still, Still, Still," which can viewed here.

"The purpose of a life is to use for it something that which outlives it," Pressman told the gatherers in this video, reflecting on a saying he heard. "You have proven that my life has purpose. It has wonderful purpose that I never expected, and I thank you for having the graciousness to give back."

Organizers of the park gathering reached out to Beverly Hills Patch, and then more and more comments trickled in from those who want to speak about Pressman.

"He really not only has changed my life for the better, but just by having that experience in Madrigals, and under Joel’s direction and his guidance, it really shaped my whole time in high school and just really gave me the confidence I needed to come alive," said Marisa Lederman, Class of 1993. "If I had not been a part of that, it would have been a ho-hum experience in high school."

"Every time I had an audition, still to this day, I’d call him up and talk about the roles available. And get the song, learn it, work it with him. And then go an audition, and then most of the time, and I’d get it," said Judi Domroy, Class of 1993.

Domroy could not sight-read her way "out of a paper bag."

"He had a sign on his wall," she said. "'When the note goes up, you go up, and if it goes down, you go down and if it stays the same, you stay the same.' I can still picture that."

Domroy said her natural mother left home when she was very young, so she had to paid for voice lessons. Pressman loaned her the money to continue singing.

"He said, 'I think you're talented. You’re worth it. Keep going with it,'" Domroy said. "I kept track. Paid it all back, babysat for him. He was always someone I could talk to, like a father figure. After that I always kept in touch with him. Throughout college, he came to my senior recital and saw me in the my shows."

"To think about all the students who won’t have him, it’s such a loss," said Laura Namerow Moss, Class of 1982. "He’s such an advocate. It really makes me sad for those who won’t have him."

Here are several responses about Joel Pressman emailed to Patch:

I am a minnesingers alum and graduated in 2002. While i was never that close to Mr. Pressman, I would like him and the community to know that he had such a profound influence on my life. Without his support and direction, I would have never been able to sing at Alice Tully Hall in March 2001 in NYC with the rest of my BHHS classmates. It was my first trip to NY and he took a few of us up to the top of the original WTC. I will never forget how special that experience was--especially 6 months later when 9/11 occurred. Now i am a NYC resident of 6 years and couldn't imagine myself anywhere else. I created a women's networking organization and regularly teach my members public speaking techniques that i learned under his direction. Mr. Pressman was a father-figure to us all. Offering extra rehearsal time when we needed it, wisdom and most importantly the care he gave each one of his students.
Thank you Mr. Pressman.
Jennifer Markas, class of 2002,
Founder of Damsels in Design

I was neither a colleague nor a student of Joel Pressman but have worked in and around the Beverly Hills High School Performing Arts Department for 9 years as the "Box Office Lady". I once quipped at the Bevy's (the end of the year awards ceremony) that I loved being around the department and "I don't even work here." Joel rejoindered: "Yes, you do, you just don't get paid!". I learned many things from observing Joel over the years, among them patience, dedication, fairness and a sense of loyalty. I thank him for this. 
And as we say in the South: "Sure was glad to know ya'!"
Donna Peacher-Hall

I had the honor of being the president of Minnesingers and working closely alongside Mr. Pressman in Beverly's musicals. I could write on my experiences and my love for him for days on end, but I will attempt to sum up my love for Mr. P in a few sentences. He was the entirety of my high school experience; in the madness of my parent's divorce and typical high-school student woes, his presence was one of comfort, safety, and peace. He was a father figure when I needed one; a friend when I needed one; a teacher when I needed one. His advice is, to this day, invaluable and something I carry with me on the path he gave me the courage to set out upon. I know he is partially responsible for my success in my field thus far, for his relentless insistence for me to do better, to believe in myself, and constant reminders that I was talented and smart were everything a young lady needed to hear. I so hope I was able to give to him even half the joy he gave to me with his sarcastic charm and sparkling wit. I will never forget when at our competition in San Fransisco we sang one of his favorites, "Seal Lullaby". What an emotional ride the rehearsals and performances for that song were; it had been one of those special occasions where it knit us even closer together as a communal favorite. At the end of the song, Mr. P's hands dropped to his sides and we sang the last bar not conducted, as tears filled his eyes and he simply enjoyed the music he had created. It was a sight many of us agreed as being one of the most touching we'd ever witnessed, and we knew then that no matter the outcome of the competition, we had succeeded by making music touch someone's heart, a lesson Mr. P had constantly instilled in us. But of course, we took home Gold 1st, as so many do under Mr. Pressman's direction. It is these memories with Mr. Pressman that I cherish so closely; traveling, experiencing new places and new things, and connecting with something he taught us all so well through his passion and love for it: music. The heavenly choir of angels will rejoice at their new bass. And while it will be a time of grievance for many, let us not forget the most important lesson Mr. Pressman has taught us all: quid quid accipet!
Melanie Abrams
Class of 2010

Hello....my name is Arielle Harris, current student at Beverly Hills High School. I just wanted to take the time to say how incredible Mr. Pressman has been. Though he was certainly tough on us, the results were tremendous: we created real magic on stage. He fought through anything no matter the challenge and has demonstrated himself as a role model. His spirit lives through the classroom even if he's not physically in the room. The music, piano, awards, seats, cabinets, and all that make up the room remind me of Pressman. There is truly no one like him. Thank you Mr. Pressman for making the experience at Beverly so memorable.
Arielle Harris
Senior, Class of 2014

Dear Mr. Pressman,
I wish I could take away your illness and pain with a song or even just a word. You are a blessing to every life you have touched. For me, you taught me not only how to sight read the alto harmony even with a tenor in my ear, but also the value of getting out of my own way and persevering in the face of adversity. You teach us still about resiliency, grace, humor, and strength; that life can be tough and utterly unexpected, but it can also be very beautiful. To your beautiful life, Mr. Pressman. May God bless and keep you. 
Love, 
Monica Doby Davis '87

The magical gift bag full of wisdom you get from being one of Joel Pressman's students includes an imaginary crane that's always pulling you up by the invisible screw eye in your chest, and we all stand tall and walk proudly with the commitment to excellence he continues to instill in us. If there are indeed special gates in heaven that can only be opened with song, one of the secrets to getting in MUST be on Joel's keychain.
With love and laughter always to my friend and teacher,
Cantor Gary Shapiro

Mr. Pressman symbolizes the love I developed for music and music theater. I spent 4 years of high school with him in choir, minnesingers, madrigals, and 4 musicals. Not only did he teach me so much about music, singing, and harmony, he taught me to harmonize emotionally. He showed me how to be a good person, how to work well with others, how to appreciate the love for what you do in life. I am forever grateful to him for being such an incredible teacher, mentor, and friend. I now live a life filled with music and theater and I wouldn't be where I am today if it wasn't for him. I have only thanks, gratitude, and love for him. He have touched my life so deeply. Thank you for the music.
Sharone Sayegh

I was a senior at Beverly Hills high school in 1990 when Joel Pressman change my life. I was a very awkward kid but talented but never really had the opportunity to shine. My parents are just lost a great sum of money and Joel asked me if I wanted to play the lead in 42nd St. at a place called ISOMATA which was Idlewild school of music and the arts over the summer of 1990. I told him I was thrilled with the idea, but couldn't afford the summer camp dues. He said submit a financial aid application, I said I didn't even know I could. On the financial aid application in the section where he had to explain why he needed me for this part and why financial aid was requested he wrote four simple words. "He is my star". I will never forget that as long as I live.  It was so meaningful to see that in writing and it gave me the catapult I needed to be confident and successful. That summer changed my life not only professionally but emotionally and I have him to thank for it. He has touched so many lives over so many years and is truly one of the greatest people I've ever known.
Regards,
Morri Chowaiki

I was a student of Joel Pressman, graduated in 1999. My brother was also a student of his, graduated in 95. Joel had a profound impact on me as a student and as an adult. He was supportive and protective of his students and was an amazing mentor to have. He personified Beverly Hills High and if there were ever a Mr. Beverly High it would be him. I truly feel that I would not be the person today if I did not have Joel as a teacher.
Mike Lloyd

Unfortunately, I bowed out of music in high school because I was in sports ~ my music lessons with Mr. Pressman are just beginning now, though ~ I joined in with those helping him clean out the music room over the summer, and the first book I came across was a music book "Melodia" which is my Italian name ~ at 50, 30+ years out of high school, with Joel's blessings, the inscription he signed at the day at the park, I begin a course in sight-singing solfeggio -- I will be remembering him with this dedicated music practice for the rest of my own life ~
Melody Doff

Being in Minnesingers with Mr. Pressman for two years really changed my life by letting me be a part of a group that did the things I loved. Mr. Pressman taught me so much in terms of technical singing skills, but he also took the class to another level by sharing life stories and related what we did in class to what we would do outside of school. I will always treasure those two years, and I know that Mr. Pressman will always be in my head, teaching me how to sing.
Drew Hirschinger

Joel Pressman is one of the greatest teachers I have ever had the pleasure to work with.  His passion for his students and his tutelage in the world of theatre and music is second to none.  Mr. Pressman is genuine and always tells the truth.  In praise he acknowledges achievement, but in a way that encourages further artistic growth.  In constructive criticism, he pinpoints what a student needs to work on, no matter how painstakingly, but always with clarity and availability for support and practice.  I fondly remember him assisting me in the execution of my first stage kiss involving a dramatic dip with my scene partner!  I pray that this fantastic teacher will recover as soon as possible so he can start enjoying his well earned retirement after over (20? 30?) years of service to the BHHS performing arts department). 
Jason Sleisenger

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