Edna’s Encore: Giving Back to Music with a Lawyer’s Acumen

At nine years old, perched on her great-aunt’s folded cotton coat for a better view at Carnegie Hall, Edna R.S. Alvarez experienced the moment that would define her lifelong love affair with music. “I can still picture it precisely,” Alvarez reminisces about that transformative evening, a vivid memory that has echoed through her life like a cherished melody.

Edna’s journey took her from those magical moments of youth through a distinguished career as a tax and estate lawyer in Los Angeles. Despite the rigors of her profession and the responsibilities of family life, Edna’s soulful connection to music never waned. “I think I’ve always been a person emotionally touched by music...it’s part of my sustenance,” she reflects.

It was only after retirement that she found the space to fully embrace her first love, rekindling her involvement with music by joining the LA Phil’s William Andrews Clark Society, which is composed of donors who have made the LA Phil a beneficiary of their will, trust, or retirement plan.

Her deep knowledge of tax law and estate planning informed her philanthropic strategy. Alvarez notes how the IRA Qualified Charitable Distribution (QCD), which satisfies her Required Minimum Distribution (RMD), is an easy and  tax savvy way to support the LA Phil today, and by making the LA Phil a beneficiary of her IRA, she supports the LA Phil in the future while minimizing taxation for herself and her heirs: “It's a win for the charity, a win for myself, and a win for my kids.”

By notifiying the LA Phil that she had made the LA Phil a beneficiary of her IRA, Edna was welcomed into the Clark Society. As a Clark Society member, Alvarez enjoys unique access to rehearsals and performances, deeply connecting with the music that has captivated her since childhood. Through attending invitational rehearsals—a well-loved benefit for Clark Society members—Alvarez says she has gained a unique insight into the creative process of an orchestra.

Edna R.S. Alvarez’s story is a poignant reminder of music’s enduring impact, weaving together her professional acumen with her passion for the arts. It serves as an inspiring call to others, demonstrating how strategic giving can harmonize personal joy with philanthropic impact, ensuring the vibrancy of cultural institutions like the LA Phil for generations to come.

To learn more about making a Qualified Charitable Distribution through your IRA, please contact the LA Phil’s Office of Gift Planning at legacy@laphil.org.