About Us – The Rising World Foundation

Rising World Foundation, a Nonprofit Corporation for Education and Charity

Board of Directors and Officers

President

Don Robertson

Don Robertson is a composer, author, and educator whose lifelong exploration of music and harmony has shaped a distinguished creative career. Don’s work spans symphonic composition, cross-cultural musical study, and innovative recording. He authored the first American tabla instruction manual and recorded one of the earliest new-age albums. As President, Don provides visionary leadership grounded in creativity, education, and global awareness, supporting the foundation’s mission of cultural transformation.

Vice President

Mary Ellen Bickford

Mary Ellen Bickford is a visionary artist and community leader serving as Vice-President of the Rising World Foundation. With a lifelong commitment to creativity, education, and humanitarian service, she brings decades of experience across art, media, education, and nonprofit leadership. Mary Ellen has worked across diverse creative disciplines including film, music, design, and storytelling, always guided by a mission to inspire connection and positive change. Her leadership includes founding and supporting innovative educational initiatives, youth empowerment programs, and nonprofit organizations dedicated to creativity, consciousness, and service. She has served as an executive producer on major media projects, collaborated with global initiatives advocating for peace and environmental stewardship, and co-authored Songwriting for Dummies. Today, Mary Ellen applies her creative vision and leadership experience to advance the Rising World Foundation’s mission of fostering visionary thinking, cultural awareness, and global transformation.

Secretary

Ashe Owen

Ashe Owen is a musician and singer who has worked with Don Robertson and Mary Ellen Bickford for over forty years.

Treasurer

Lorene Dobb

At age 11, Lorene attended the first kids video production and most of the Rainbow Research, Inc. seminars and shows. Throughout her life she continues to be part of our projects. Her lifetime career as an image consultant and hair specialist connects her with people.

Honorary Charter Members

G. Marq Roswell

Michael Perry, Esq.

Susan Meyer, Esq.

Irving Sarnoff

Norman Miller

Wave Baker

Marjorie Hall

Dixie Lee

Ron and Lucy McCully

Ron Frank

Cathy Bennett

Peter Phelp

Advisors and Patrons

G. Marq Roswell

Roy Wooten

Nigel Grange

Zero Nylin

Kris Wilkinson

Don Slepian

Carl Marsh

Mihai Manoliu

Scott Nugent

Kathi Sjotvedt

From our history book…

we give special thanks to:

The Kids – (Kids-X-Press Videos)

Greg MacGillivray – (MacGillivray Freeman Films)

Jeff Gordon (NASCAR)

Pierce Flynn – (Surfrider Foundation)

Sting – (RONDOR Music International)

Frank Serafine – (American Sound designer)

Hugo Zuccarelli – (Zuccarelli Homophonic Sound)

David Hannon – (Film Producer, Australia)

Ted Danson – (American Oceans Campaign)

Ron Frank – (Frank Productions)

Orange County, CA businesses – (Chamber of Commerce)

Chuck Shubert & students – (Newport Mesa High School, CA)

Joyce Green – (UNICEF Children’s Day of Broadcasting)

NASA Film Department

About The Rising World Foundation

IN THE BEGINNING… Rising World Foundation was founded in 1998 (under the original name of The Kids X-Pressions, Inc.) as a nonprofit corporation and received exempt status under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue code. It was organized exclusively for charitable, educational and literary purposes.

WE DEVELOPED… pilot projects for students to creatively express themselves through musical compositions, performances, films, television, and radio shows. We provided a platform for the world’s youth to express themselves freely through worldwide communications networking. We also provided educational coaching, guidance, contacts, materials and resources for children, including access to recording and visual production studios and the related materials for inspiring such productions.

CURRENTLY… We have video and recording-studio equipment… further productions await funding and a building to house the work.

DEDICATED… Don Robertson and Mary Ellen Bickford, along with our current board members, are dedicated to promoting positive music and visual arts, with the purpose of helping to create a cultural renaissance in our world, using technology along with physical media.

STATE OF THE WORLD… The introduction of discordant music and abstract art in Western culture at the beginning of the 20^th century caused a major shift in the purpose and understanding of music and art, both of which gradually became only a catchall for any expression of anything by anyone. Their true meaning and purpose as tools for personal emotional and spiritual growth, with some exceptions, had become lost by the end of the century.

AS THE 21^st CENTURY UNFOLDS… we find that the predominant culture of music and art that was inherited from the previous century is unsuitable: abstract scribbles on canvases that are purchased for millions of dollars, films and television shows that glorify darkness, meaningless music with no melody, and concert halls and cathedrals resounding in discord.

OUR MISSION… is to bring into the world an important educational and entertainment platform that will reach everywhere, helping create a transformation of culture from its predominate state of negativity to a realization of the goals of all true art: emotional healing and spiritual growth.

THIS WEBSITE… introduces our mission and provides a valuable resource for young students from around the world.