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


Kaufman Music Center's Top 10 Moments of 2020

1. Day of Musical Action

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. 


2. Transformation Album Release

We launched our own record label and released our first-ever albumTransformation, 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. 


3. Honoring Desmond Child in our virtual 2020 Gala 

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. 


4. Kaufman Connects

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!


5. New Board of Trustees leadership 

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.


6. 100% Graduation Rate for Special Music School High School

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. 


7. Saluting our heroes of 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.  


8. First ever virtual Summer Musical Theater Workshop 

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.  


9. JACK Quartet with Face the Music 

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.  


10. Lisa Bielawa’s Voter’s Broadcast

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. 


Would you like to help us create more memories in 2021? Donate today!    

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!    


HELP US SHARE OUR STORY!


© 2020 KAUFMAN MUSIC CENTER

129 West 67th Street

Abraham Goodman House

New York, NY 10023

866.222.6330

kaufmanmusiccenter.org


Unsubscribe

IMPORTANT! If you unsubscribe, you will no longer receive any Kaufman Music Center emails, including updates from Merkin Hall, Lucy Moses School, Special Music School and Face the Music.