|
Legendary figures in the world of Opera
gathered in force to celebrate the next generation of opera
stars, recipients of awards, for the Schuyler Foundation for
Career Bridges. The evening was a classic Gala in every
sense from the exceptional performance to the sumptuous
dinner at the gorgeous Metropolitan Club.
The Foundation has been performing a vital
service for 19 years now. Career Bridges founded by David
Schuyler Bender and Barbara Meister Bender with the mission
of providing vital assistance to young opera singers as they
transition from training to stage. Awardees receive three
years of mentoring, financial support, and performance
opportunities based on the recommendations of a 20-25 member
Panel of Experts, comprised of internationally recognized
experts in repertory and vocal coaching, conductors, stage
directors, artist managers/agents, opera company
impresarios, et al. A combination of expert selection and
this assistance has had a phenomenal rate of success. Every
year, barring the pandemic, Career Bridges spearheads a
competition where they award career grants to young artists.
Those winners have the opportunity to perform and receive
expert critique from a panel of professionals in the
business; directors, voice teachers, performers etc. The
singers are then granted a conference with David and Barbara
where the critiques are discussed and further helpful
suggestions are given. The grant winners have the
opportunity to return for 3 more years to “check in” to see
if the hard work they have done has been realized for the
panel. What an incredible mentorship for these fortunate
young artists.
This year's award winners include Natasha
Gonzalez-Santaliz, Abigail Raiford, Adam Guettel, Luna
Seongueun Park, Kira Kaplan, Jonyue Gong, Kristen Marie
Gillis, Kevin Godinez, Ilana Nobel Torres, Maggie Renee,
Chelsea Laggan, and Shanley Horvitz. Each and every
performer was outstanding.
The Benders are a beautiful and talented,
power couple whose welcoming remarks set the tone for an
elegant evening. Guests basked in the delightful
entertainment which enveloped them throughout the evening.
Many who have attended Career Bridges' previous Gala's
commented that this was the best array of talent they had
discovered in the foundation’s long history. That is saying
something since they have found world class talent
each year.
 Receiving
the Lifetime Achievement Award was the legendary, Joan
Dornemann, a renowned coach, pianist, and prompter. She has
had an international career which led her from New York City
Opera, to the Gran Liceo of Barcelona, to the Metropolitan
Opera. In her many years as an assistant conductor at the
Met she coached and prepared countless operatic stars for
their performances. She inspired all with her acceptance
speech.
Upon receiving the Distinguished Achievement
Award, Adam Guettel, Composer and Lyricist of musical
theater and opera spoke eloquently The grandson of musical
theater composer Richard Rodgers, he is best known for his
musical “The Light in the Piazza” for which he won the Tony
for Best Original Score and the Tony Award for Best
Orchestrations. He is an internationally known and widely
sought after vocal coach.
The entire ensemble joined in the highly
appropriate “The Impossible Dream” from Man of La Mancha.
For many having a career in Opera might seem an impossible
dream but Career Bridges’ Co-Artistic Directors, Barbara and
David Bender and team’s mission is to make the dream all the
more possible!
For more information on Career Bridges go to www.careerbridges.org
#careerbridges #mission #buildingbridges #studiotostage
#gala #careerbridgeshechler #metropolitanclub #operastars #recipientsofawards
#schuylerfoundation #symbolize #hechlerphotography
|