Attending the Sing for Hope 2010 Gala

October 20, 2010

Last November, I blogged about the Sing for Hope Gala, which my nephew, Christopher Herbert, invited me to attend. In addition to being an artist in his own right, Christopher also works for Sing for Hope, a non-profit organization that mobilizes more than 600 professional artists in volunteer service programs that benefit schools, hospitals, and communities. These artists include classical musicians, Broadway performers, dancers, poets, and photographers. Once again, Christopher invited me to the 2010 Gala, held last Thursday in Manhattan.

Sing for Hope honorees of the evening were Tony Bennett - 15-time Grammy Award Winner, Kennedy Center Honoree, and recipient of the United Nations Citizen of the World Award; Ronald Perelman – Businessman and Philanthropist; and Ann Ziff – Metropolitan Opera Co-Chairman and Vice-Chairman of the Board of Directors of Lincoln Center. The performances were astounding and I am truly awed by the generosity and dedication of these amazing artists. Sing for Hope is a most worthy cause and I’m already looking forward to next year’s Gala.

: Sing for Hope Board Chair Eva Haller and Co-Founding Director Camille Zamora Photo credit – Sing for Hope Donor Artist Nan Melville

: The gala took place at 583 Park Avenue, a beautiful space designed by the renowned firm of Delano & Aldrich and completed in 1923. Photo credit – Sing for Hope Donor Artist Nan Melville

: Here I am with Dennis and Phyllis Washington, and my friend Kathy Sloane. Photo credit – Sing for Hope Donor Artist Nan Melville

: Nadia and Gerrit Meier Photo credit – Sing for Hope Donor Artist Nan Melville

: Amber Paterson and Charles Bibilous Photo credit – Sing for Hope Donor Artist Nan Melville

: Sing for Hope Director of Operations – Emily Walsh, Sing for Hope Board Members – Joseph Polisi and Mary Lou Falcone, and Gala guest – Nicholas Zann Photo credit – Sing for Hope Donor Artist Nan Melville

: Sing for Hope Board Members- David Miller and Jennifer Melin Miller and Gala guest – Jordana Miller Photo credit – Sing for Hope Donor Artist Nan Melville

: Pianist – Chosan Nguyen with Gala Chairs – Joseph and Judi Flom Photo credit – Sing for Hope Donor Artist Nan Melville

: Sing for Hope Donor Artists tenor – Michael Slattery, soprano – Jennifer Aylmer, soprano – Alyson Cambridge, mezzo-soprano – Blyth Gaissert, and pianist – Djordje Nesic Photo credit – Sing for Hope Donor Artist Nan Melville

: Sing for Hope Donor Artists Alyson Cambridge, Blythe Gaissert, Jennifer Aylmer, with 2010 Honoree Tony Bennett Photo credit – Sing for Hope Donor Artist Nan Melville

: Sing for Hope Co-Founding Director Camille Zamora with Donor Artists Nathan and Julie Gunn and Honoree Tony Bennett with wife Susan Benedetto Photo credit – Sing for Hope Donor Artist Nan Melville

: Phyllis and Dennis Washington and Chosan Nguyen Photo credit – Sing for Hope Donor Artist Nan Melville

: Sing for Hope Board Chair – Eva Haller, Board Member – Peter Kellner, and Monica Emch Photo credit – Sing for Hope Donor Artist Nan Melville

: Dr. David Muller and Vera Yunus Photo credit – Sing for Hope Donor Artist Nan Melville

: Tim Jessell and Honoree – Ann Ziff Photo credit – Sing for Hope Donor Artist Nan Melville

: Words of welcome by Gala Chairs Judi and Joseph Flom Photo credit – Sing for Hope Donor Artist Nan Melville

: Pianist – Djordje Nesic, soprano – Camille Zamora, soprano – Jennifer Aylmer, and mezzo-soprano – Blythe Gaissert performed Arturo Somohano’s ‘Dime, mi bien.’ Photo credit – Sing for Hope Donor Artist Nan Melville

: Tenor – Michael Slattery, and dancers – Emily Oldak and Javier Baca performed Joni Mitchell’s ‘Both Sides Now.’ Photo credit – Sing for Hope Donor Artist Nan Melville

: Emily Oldak and Javier Baca danced beautifully. Photo credit – Sing for Hope Donor Artist Nan Melville

: Remarks by Dr. David Muller – Dean of Medical Education, Mount Sinai Medical Center Photo credit – Sing for Hope Donor Artist Nan Melville

: Baritone – Nathan Gunn and soprano – Camille Zamora were accompanied by Julie Gunn and sang Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart’s ‘La ci darem la mano’ from Don Giovanni. Photo credit – Sing for Hope Donor Artist Nan Melville

: Actor/singer – Tituss Burgess sang Charlie Small’s ‘Believe in Yourself’ from The Wiz. Photo credit – Sing for Hope Donor Artist Nan Melville

: Remarks by Renee Fleming – Sing for Hope Board Member and 2009 Sing for Hope Honoree Photo credit – Sing for Hope Donor Artist Nan Melville

: 2010 Honoree Ann Ziff – Managing Director and Co-chairman of the Board of the Metropolitan Opera and a Vice-chairman on the Board of Directors of Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts. Photo credit – Sing for Hope Donor Artist Nan Melville

: Sing for Hope Art U! Students – The Young at Arts Ensemble – performed the traditional ‘Matlakala: A Sotho Celebration Song.’ Photo credit – Sing for Hope Donor Artist Nan Melville

: Remarks by Joel Klein – Chancellor of the New York City Department of Education with Sing for Hope Art U! Students Photo credit – Sing for Hope Donor Artist Nan Melville

: Tony Bennett – 2010 Sing for Hope Honoree joined the group Photo credit – Sing for Hope Donor Artist Nan Melville

: Honoree Tony Bennett autographing the 2010 Sing for Hope Steinway for auction. The auction winner also receives the gift of a private piano debut, performed by Sing for Hope Donor Artists. Photo credit – Sing for Hope Donor Artist Nan Melville

: Pianist Chosan Nguyen performed on the newly autographed Steinway mahogany ‘L Model.’ Photo credit – Sing for Hope Donor Artist Nan Melville

: Pianist – Djordje Nesic, mezzo-soprano – Blythe Gaissert, and baritone – Christopher Herbert performed Richard Rogers ‘If I Loved You’ from Carousel. Photo credit – Sing for Hope Donor Artist Nan Melville