Alec Glasser

Alec Glasser, founder of The Drake restaurant in Laguna Beach and The Drake Gives foundation, has dedicated his life to ensuring that all children—regardless of background—have access to the transformative power of music. His journey with music began at age 12 when he learned to play the saxophone in a public school program, an experience that shaped his life in ways he never could have imagined.

Before his ventures in hospitality and philanthropy, Alec built a distinguished career in law, specializing in real estate and securities, and later served as a faculty member at USC Law School. He then transitioned into commercial real estate investment and development, but his passion for music never waned.

In 2019, he opened The Drake restaurant, not just as a fine dining and live music venue, but with a purpose—to give back. This mission came to life in 2021 when he established Drake Gives, a nonprofit dedicated to providing underserved youth with music education, materials and instruments. Since its inception, the foundation has raised over $625,000, funding programs in schools across the U.S., with a strong focus on Orange County.

Alec’s vision expanded in 2023 when he made a transformational gift to launch The Glasser Center for the Power of Music at UC Irvine. In partnership with Richard Matthew, Ph. D., and Dean Jon Gould at UC Irvine, Alec helped design the initiative that integrates music into education, researches its societal benefit and fosters community engagement. As executive committee chairman, Alec plays a key role in driving the center’s growth, building partnerships and ensuring that music remains a powerful force for positive change.

His commitment to supporting future generations is also reflected in the Glasser Scholarship, an annual $100,000 scholarship fund administered by the center. These scholarships support students who want to incorporate music into their careers—whether in medicine, social services, marketing or other fields—ensuring that music’s influence extends far beyond traditional industry roles.

Alec Glasser’s journey is defined by his passion for music, his vision for social change and his dedication to ensuring that everyone has access to music’s transformative power.