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Kaufman Music Center’s 2018 Gala honored
the legacy of long-time Kaufman Music Center Executive
Director Lydia Kontos and raised nearly $1 million in
support of Kaufman’s music education programs. The event
took place on
Monday, May 14, at Guastavino's in
New York City.
Kaufman
Music Center’s 2018 Lifetime Achievement Award was presented
to
Ms. Kontos, who will retire this fall after nearly 40 years at the
Center’s helm, in recognition of her distinguished career as
a champion of music education and performance. Read about
Ms. Kontos’s retirement: http://www.kaufmanmusiccenter.org/kc/article/lydia-kontos-to-retire-in-fall-2018/
The Gala
also featured stunning performances by flute legends Sir
James Galway and Lady Jeanne Galway, opera
superstar Ailyn Pérez, and young virtuosos from
Kaufman Music Center’s Special Music School (M. 859) and
Lucy Moses School.
Gala
guests had the opportunity to bid on unique and highly
personal experiences, including: A private culinary
experience with chef Jonathan Kava; luxurious getaways to
Sanibel Island, FL and the Hudson Valley; and tickets to the
Broadway shows “My Fair Lady” and “Frozen.”
Gala
Chairs Elaine and Henry Kaufman, Bethany and
Robert B. Millard, Christina and Lawrence Wee and
theAssurant Foundation and Gala Vice-Chairs are Rosalind
Devon and Sanford L. Batkin and Cathy and John
O’Rourke were joined by a veritable “Who’s Who” of area
and national business leaders, acclaimed actors and
performers, and philanthropists including conductor David
Robertson, MacArthur “Genius” and Artistic
Director/Founder of the Young People's Chorus of New York
City Francisco J. Núñez, pianist Orli
Shaham, Man Made Music leader Joel Beckerman, Robert
Millard (Chairman, MIT), Wendy Mosler (Global
Holdings Management Group), Lawrence Wee (Paul,
Weiss), Nina Kontos (Google), David Klafter (Pershing
Square Capital Management), Mark Rambler (Credibility
Capital), and Dick Beattie
Kaufman
Music Center’s annual Gala benefits the Center’s Fund for
Music Education, which helps thousands of children
access high-level instruction in music, theater and dance.
The Fund supports the extensive music curriculum at
Kaufman’s K-12 public school for musically gifted children (Special
Music School), provides scholarships to underprivileged
students at Manhattan’s largest community arts school (Lucy
Moses School) and creates opportunities for children in
New York City’s neediest schools to enjoy musical theater
performances.
Special thanks to 2018 Lead Gala Sponsor
Assurant.
Kaufman Music Center
129 West 67th Street,
New York, NY 10023
www.KaufmanMusicCenter.org
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