Dear Friends,
2020 has truly been a year unlike any other in the history of Kaufman Music Center. Thanks to your support, we have been able to continue our presentations and education programs throughout the pandemic, bringing the joy of music to thousands of New Yorkers in digital formats.
As 2020 comes to an end, I am proud to share with you some of our favorite moments from the year. These moments would not have been possible without your support! View our 2019-20 impact report to learn more about how your support helped to make a difference.
To help us create more special moments in 2021, we need your help! We must raise less than $5,000 to complete the Kaufman Crescendo Challenge by December 31.
Please help us by giving today.
With appreciation,
Kate Sheeran
Executive Director
On June 1, more than 130 performers – including students, ensembles, families, staff, faculty, and world-famous artists – came together and shared twelve hours of music to celebrate Kaufman Music Center and raise critical funds for our programs.
We launched our own record label and released our first-ever album – Transformation, created by the 10th-grade class at Special Music School in collaboration with Grammy nominated flutist, composer, vocalist, and 2019-20 Kaufman Music Center Artist-in-Residence Nathalie Joachim. The project was featured by BBC News.
In October we presented Desmond Child with the Creative Arts Award as part of our virtual 2020 Gala, celebrating his careers as one of music’s most accomplished hitmakers. The Gala also featured performances from our 2020-21 Artists-in-Residence Conrad Tao and Seth Parker Woods, and students from Special Music School and Lucy Moses School.
This December, we launched our new Kaufman Connects events series, benefitting our music education and performance programs. On the 1st, our supporters enjoyed a piano concert featuring Orli Shaham, with at home meals delivered by Happy Tummy Asia. On the 14th, we partnered with the Halter Ranch Vineyard to bring a virtual concert and wine tasting featuring Nikki Renée Daniels and Jeff Kready!
In November, the Board of Trustees voted to elect the world-renowned pianist and educator Orli Shaham as Chair. Shahriar Rafimayeri, Chief Information Officer and member of the Executive Committee for Mimecast Ltd, was elected President. The Board also welcomed three new Trustees: Nikki Renée Daniels, Nathalie Joachim, and Daniel Kaufman. The Board recognized the distinguished service of Rosalind Devon, who has served as Chair since 2011, by electing her Honorary Chair. Cathy White O'Rourke, President since 2015, will continue to serve as Vice President.
We celebrated a 100% graduation and college acceptance for Special Music School High School for the fourth year in a row. This year, we graduated our first class of seniors that had entered the school as freshmen. Valedictorian Jonah Sposito was featured in the Daily News in a special edition celebrating seniors graduating during the pandemic.
Our students looked to their music endeavors to pay tribute to the city and heroes fighting on the front lines during the COVID-19 pandemic, celebrating the resilience of their community in difficult times.
The 31st year of Summer Musical Theater Workshop was conducted virtually for the first time. Motivated young students collaborated on musical work over Zoom, culminating in a “Can You Hear Me?” performance that featured all of their voices.
Face the Music students developed a unique collaboration with the 2019-20 Artist-in-Residence JACK Quartet and the Tri-Centric Foundation, continuing to meet online during the pandemic to create new music experiences with innovative technologies.
The world premiere of Voters’ Broadcast was presented at the Brooklyn Public Library Central Branch, featuring the work of composer Lisa Bielawa, our 2020-21 Artist-in-Residence, and performed by students from Special Music School.
Did this email and your gift cross in the mail? Thank you for your support!
Please Note:
Kaufman Music
Center’s offices are closed from December 24, 2020 to January 3, 2021, but
select members of the Development Team are online to assist donors during the
year-end giving season. Have questions about making your gift? Call 866-222-6330 or email bbryant@kaufmanmusiccenter.org,
and we’d be happy to assist!
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© 2020 KAUFMAN MUSIC CENTER
129 West 67th Street
Abraham Goodman House
New York, NY 10023
866.222.6330
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