During their time away in Paris, owners of the art-filled triples in Soho, LaVon Kellner and Dr. Tom Roush, arranged for their friend Richard McGeehan to serve as the evening’s host and enliven their abode.
Life was brought to fill the space in the form of a conversation between The Musicians Foundation’s Executive Director, David Gracia, and Sir Clive Gillinson, Executive and Artistic Director of Carnegie Hall. “You could have been anywhere else in New York City, but you chose to be here. Your generosity means a lot to the Musicians Foundation.” said Gracia, “A musician’s life can be turned upside down by the flu, by breaking an arm, losing work for months. And that’s how Musicians Foundation started, to help musicians who were going through difficult times.” Gillinson mused “What the Musicians Foundation are doing is so important, because your foundation does change lives.”
“How music serves people” said Gillinson, “it provides something so fundamental to us as human beings.” He recalled “the first few notes of Brahm’s Second when I played in the youth orchestra are so special to me, because it was the moment I knew music had to be my life. And I didn’t realize until I got into management, I was no longer thinking about myself – I was starting to think about how music can serve others. It gives us hope, identity, and a sense of purpose.”
Guests included Musicians Foundation board members Roman Dworecki, Lisa Megeaski, Thomas Parker, and Bess Forrell Steiger, as well as Marie Arnett, Karon Cullen Meyer, Solange De Santis, Maximo Flugelman, Hilda Froelke, Nomie Ghez and Mike Siegal, Debra Guthrie, Ben Hartley, Sharon King Hoge, Michele Gerber Klein, Laura Lobdell, Jonathan Marder, James Saakvitne, Kimberly and Joe Vance, and many more.
The Musicians Foundation is dedicated to supporting musicians in need. By providing grants for essential living expenses, medical care, and educational opportunities, especially in urgent situations, the Foundation empowers artists to continue their work despite financial challenges. Through its programs and partnerships, the Musicians Foundation uplifts musicians and promotes the vital role of music in society. For more information, please visit https://www.musiciansfoundation.org/
