HomeARTSManhattan School of Music...

Manhattan School of Music 2024 Gala

Manhattan School of Music (MSM)  hosted its 2024 Gala at Rockefeller Plaza in New York City.

The gala honored two-time Tony Award-winner Brian Stokes Mitchell and longtime Rodgers & Hammerstein Organization President Ted Chapin. A celebration of the school’s prestigious Musical Theatre Program, the evening was hosted by MSM alumnus, Broadway mainstay, and Tony Award-winner Shuler Hensley, and featured performances by current students of the MSM Musical Theatre Program as well as solo performances by Alysia Velez, MSM alumna and star of the acclaimed 2022 Broadway revival of Stephen Sondheim’s Into the Woods.All performers were either MSM alumni or current students, and the evening featured Musical Direction by David Loud, legendary Broadway Musical Director and MD of the MSM Musical Theatre Program.  Pianist and MSM Artistic Staff member Shane Schag accompanied the performances. The performances were overseen by Liza Gennaro, MSM’s Dean of Musical Theatre. 

Brian Stokes Mitchell _ Credit Jared Siskin and Parick McMullan via Getty Images

Some of the notable attendees included: honorees Ted Chapin (former President of the Rodgers & Hammerstein Organization) and Brian Stokes Mitchell (two-time Tony Award winner and Broadway legend); the evening’s Host, Shuler Hensley (Tony Award-winner and Broadway mainstay); Alysia Velez (recent graduate of MSM’s Musical Theatre Program; Rapunzel in the acclaimed 2022 Broadway revival of Into the Woods); Ann Ziff (Chairman of the Metropolitan Opera Board of Directors); Dominique Laffont (Advisory Director, The Metropolitan Opera; namesake for the Met Opera’s Laffont Competition); Adrienne Vittadini (fashion designer); Jack Viertel (theatrical producer and author); Scott Dunn (Associate Conductor, Hollywood Bowl Orchestra, MSM trustee); Anne-Marie McDermott (internationally acclaimed classical pianist); Noreen Buckfire (Philanthropist and MSM International Advisory Board Member); James Roe (President and Executive Director, The Orchestra of St. Luke’s); Chloe Flower (pianist and composer); Linda Oh (Grammy Award-winning jazz bassist and composer); Joe DiPietro (Tony Award-winning playwright and lyricist: MemphisI Love You, You’re Perfect, Now Change); David Loud (legendary Broadway Musical Director; Musical Director, MSM Musical Theatre Program); and Liza Gennaro (choreographer; MSM Dean of Musical Theatre).

Ann Ziff and Dominique Laffont _ Credit Jared Siskin/Patrick McMullan via Getty Images
Shuler Hensley, David Loud, Brian Stokes Mitchell and James Gandre _ Credit Jared Siskin/Patrick McMullan via Getty Images
Boris Thomas and Magda Gutierrez _ Credit Jared Siskin/Patrick McMullan via Getty Images
Mike Sepso and Chloe Flower _ Credit Jared Siskin/Patrick McMullan via Getty Images

About Manhattan School of Music (MSM)

Founded as a community music school by Janet Daniels Schenck in 1918, today MSM is recognized for its more than 1,000 superbly talented undergraduate and graduate students who come from more than 50 countries and nearly all 50 states; its innovative curricula and world-renowned artist-teacher faculty that includes musicians from the New York Philharmonic, the Met Opera Orchestra, and the top ranks of the jazz and Broadway communities; and a distinguished community of accomplished, award-winning alumni working at the highest levels of the musical, educational, cultural, and professional worlds.

The school is dedicated to the personal, artistic, and intellectual development of aspiring musicians, from its Precollege students through those pursuing doctoral studies. Offering classical, jazz, and musical theatre training, MSM grants a range of undergraduate and graduate degrees. True to MSM’s origins as a music school for children, the Precollege program continues to offer superior music instruction to 475 young musicians between the ages of 5 and 18. The School also serves some 2,000 New York City schoolchildren through its Arts-in-Education Program, and another 2,000 students through its critically acclaimed and pioneering Distance Learning Program.

For more information on the Manhattan School of Music, its history, and its curriculum, visit: www.msmnyc.edu/

I: @msm.nyc | F: msmnyc | X/T: @MSMnyc

About MSM’s Musical Theatre Program:

Manhattan School of Music, with its more than 100 years of excellence and its location in New York City, a veritable hub of musical theatre, is an ideal institution for a world-class musical theatre program. Today’s contemporary musical theatre is exploding with fresh ideas, possibilities, and opportunities. While acting, voice, and dance remain the cornerstones of musical theatre training, contemporary performers must also be trained beyond the “triple threat” model. Now more than ever multifaceted musical theatre artists are in demand. Virtual musicals and online content, devised practice workshops and dance labs require performers to be creative contributors to project development. In addition to learning the essential skills—singing, dancing, and acting—MSM Musical Theatre students are encouraged to develop their artistic interests and are given the opportunity to investigate areas beyond performing, including directing, choreographing, writing, and composing.

The MSM Musical Theatre faculty is a stellar collection of artist-educators who combine exemplary teaching skills with the highest level of professional know-how and embrace individuality – honoring each student’s journey. The program is infused with a passion for the arts, and for the next generation of musical theatre artists.

Liza Gennaro, Dean of Musical Theatre

David Loud, Program Music Director

Enrique Brown, Academic and Artistic Assistant

- A word from our sponsors -

spot_img

Most Popular

More from Author

Top Facial Cleansers for Men with Sensitive Skin

Men with sensitive skin often face a tough challenge when it...

Beauty Tips for Clear Skin Before Wedding

Your wedding day is one of the most photographed and memorable...

How to Get Rid of Back Acne Scars Fast

Back acne scars can be frustrating, especially when they affect your...

How to Clean Makeup Brushes with Household Items

Cleaning your makeup brushes regularly is essential not only for your...

- A word from our sponsors -

spot_img

Read Now

Top Facial Cleansers for Men with Sensitive Skin

Men with sensitive skin often face a tough challenge when it comes to choosing the right facial cleanser. The wrong product can cause redness, irritation, and breakouts, making it essential to choose a cleanser that's gentle, effective, and specifically formulated for sensitive skin types. In this guide, we’ll...

Beauty Tips for Clear Skin Before Wedding

Your wedding day is one of the most photographed and memorable moments of your life, and naturally, you want your skin to look flawless, glowing, and healthy. Achieving clear skin before your wedding doesn’t require miracle products—it takes consistency, preparation, and smart skincare choices. Whether you're months away...

How to Get Rid of Back Acne Scars Fast

Back acne scars can be frustrating, especially when they affect your confidence and appearance. Whether caused by hormonal changes, clogged pores, or friction from clothing, these scars can linger long after the acne has cleared. Fortunately, there are fast and effective ways to reduce or eliminate back...

How to Clean Makeup Brushes with Household Items

Cleaning your makeup brushes regularly is essential not only for your skin’s health but also for preserving the life of your tools. Dirty brushes can harbor bacteria, old makeup, oil, and dead skin cells, all of which can contribute to clogged pores, breakouts, and patchy makeup application....

Top 10 Beauty Supplements for Skin and Hair

Maintaining healthy, radiant skin and strong, lustrous hair goes beyond topical care. Nutrition plays a crucial role in enhancing the appearance and vitality of your skin and hair from within. Beauty supplements, formulated with essential vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants, have gained popularity as an effective way to...

Natural Ways to Tighten Sagging Skin on Face

As we age, the skin on our face naturally loses elasticity and firmness due to decreased collagen and elastin production. While this is a natural part of aging, many people seek gentle, non-invasive solutions to maintain a youthful appearance. The good news is, you don’t always need...

Best Non-Comedogenic Moisturizers for Summer

Summer can be tough on your skin—heat, humidity, sweat, and excess oil all contribute to clogged pores and unwanted breakouts. That’s why switching to non-comedogenic moisturizers is a smart move. These lightweight formulas hydrate your skin without blocking your pores, making them ideal for all skin types—especially...

Cruelty-Free Makeup Brands Available in India

As awareness around ethical beauty grows, more consumers in India are choosing cruelty-free makeup brands—products developed without animal testing and often formulated with natural, sustainable ingredients. Switching to cruelty-free cosmetics supports animal welfare and encourages more responsible manufacturing practices. If you’re in India and want to embrace ethical...

How to Fix Cakey Makeup Throughout the Day

Cakey makeup can be one of the most frustrating challenges for anyone wanting a flawless look that lasts all day. Whether it’s foundation settling into fine lines, powders appearing dry and patchy, or concealer flaking off, cakey makeup can quickly ruin your confidence and overall appearance. Fortunately, with...

Long-Lasting Waterproof Mascaras for Humid Weather

Humidity can wreak havoc on makeup—especially mascara. Whether you're commuting to work, heading to the gym, or spending the day outdoors, the last thing you want is smudged, melted, or raccoon-like eyes. That’s where long-lasting waterproof mascaras come in. Formulated to resist water, sweat, and humidity, waterproof mascaras...

Daily Skincare Routine for Teenage Boys

Teenage years can be challenging when it comes to skincare. Hormonal changes lead to oilier skin, acne breakouts, and other common skin issues. Developing a proper skincare routine early on can help teenage boys maintain healthy skin, prevent acne, and build lifelong habits. This guide breaks down...

How to Contour a Round Face for Beginners

Contouring is a makeup technique that uses light and dark shades to define and sculpt the face. For those with round faces, contouring can help add definition, enhance cheekbones, and create the illusion of a more oval or elongated shape. If you're a beginner, learning how to...