Willis Wonderland Foundation

Launched in 2022, the Willis Wonderland Foundation perpetuates the legacy and extraordinary creative vision of Hall of Fame songwriter and artist Allee Willis by fostering innovative opportunities in music education (Musical Wonders), with a focus on creative music-making. We empower the next generation of creatives.

Allee Willis in her studio surrounded by gold records.

Allee Willis was a one-woman creative tornado, a multi-disciplinary artist and visionary thinker with a limitless range of imagination and productivity. Inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame in 2018, she was a Grammy, Emmy, Tony, and Webby award-winning and nominated songwriter and performer.

Allee's compositions have sold more than 60 million records to date. Her hits include Earth, Wind & Fire's "September" and "Boogie Wonderland," The Pointer Sisters' "Neutron Dance," Pet Shop Boys with Dusty Springfield's "What Have I Done To Deserve This" and The Rembrandts' "I'll Be There For You (Theme From Friends)." She also co-wrote the music and lyrics for the Oprah Winfrey-produced, Tony and Grammy-winning Broadway musical The Color Purple.

Our Team

Vincent Beggs

Executive Director

Vincent Beggs is a seasoned nonprofit professional with extensive experience in the creation and administration of exhibits, installations, and educational programs worldwide. He has collaborated with a range of institutions, including the Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County, The Children's Museum of Indianapolis, and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation Discovery Center. His diverse projects also include work on global cultural initiatives like the King Abdulaziz Centre for World Culture and the Academy Museum of Motion Pictures.

A lifelong Angeleno and award-winning documentary filmmaker, Vince brings his passion for combining art, education, and technology to the Willis Wonderland Foundation. As the Executive Director, he leverages his expertise to support the foundation's mission of fostering creativity and innovation, making him a perfect fit for leading its programs.

Stephen Cox

Director of Music Education

Stephen T. Cox, the 2022 Grammy Music Educator Award winner, views music education as a vital link between community identity and student empowerment. With experience transforming programs in both rural and urban settings, Stephen bridges the worlds of traditional performance ensembles and contemporary music education models. His philosophy is rooted in the belief that fine arts must be integral to their communities, connecting students to local history while sparking new creativity and community engagement.

Stephen advocates for a teaching style where student agency is paramount. He believes that when learners have ownership of their artistic journey they develop the resilience needed for adulthood. His ultimate goal is to grant students the autonomy to own their creative process and the skills to chart their own paths in life.

Rusty Blazenhoff

Director of Cultural Strategy

Rusty Blazenhoff is a cultural strategist and legacy steward who helps beloved creative worlds grow without losing their soul.

For more than three decades, she has worked at the intersection of art, community, and participation, shaping and protecting iconic cultural spaces and stories. She collaborated closely with Paul Reubens to steward the world of Pee-wee Herman and now serves as Director of Cultural Strategy for the Willis Wonderland Foundation, where she preserves and activates the creative legacy of songwriter Allee Willis.

In addition to her foundation work, Rusty advises artists' estates and families on legacy planning and cultural stewardship, helping translate a lifetime of creative work into living archives, experiences, and sustainable impact. Her guiding belief: culture isn't something you market. It's something people belong to.

Contact the Foundation

Reach out about partnerships, programs, legacy work, or creative music education opportunities.

hello@williswonderland.org