High quality is Ruth Felt's first priority

Thirty years ago, Ruth Felt took stock of the San Francisco arts scene and decided there was a need for a new organization to present recitals, chamber music and dance. Armed with few resources and a staff of one — herself — she founded San Francisco Performances in a small office under the stairs in her apartment.

Today, Felt admits that it was risk-taking on an operatic scale. The City’s history was rife with similar ventures that had started and failed, and there were major issues — funding among them — to be addressed. But she was certain there was an audience for the kind of quality programming she envisioned.