A Gala Celebration of the NewRise Haven Symphony Orchestra Saturday, February 6, 2021 New Haven Symphony Orchestra February 6, 2021

Program

Linedy Genao, Emcee

Virtual Cocktail Hour | 6:00PM

RISE: NHSO’s 2021 Gala Program & Award Ceremony | 7:00PM

Quartet Awards Keith Churchwell, MD, NHSO Board President

Wattles Award | Presented to Burton Alter Elaine C. Carroll, NHSO CEO

Remarks | Alasdair Neale, NHSO Music Director

World Premiere: RISE | Anton Kot, Composer & Pianist STILL I RISE | Nikki Claxton, Choreographer | Jah’Lil Jeffries, Dancer

Final Remarks | D. Cristi Stroud, NHSO Board Vice President

Party Sessions | 8:30PM

Silent Auction Ends | 9:00PM

Conclusion | 10:00PM Shari Smith, Gala Co-Chair Shari Smith, 2021 NHSO Gala Co-Chair and Board Director, is the communications manager for an asset management firm in New Haven. In her role, she works closely with executive leadership on marketing and communications strategy.

Shari is also an Adjunct Professor at the University of New Haven, where she teaches Introduction to Sociology and Global Studies. She is actively involved in the Greater New Haven NAACP. Shari has earned multiple degrees from American University, UMASS-Boston, and NYU, after graduating with her Bachelor’s Degree from the University of Vermont. She has traveled to the Middle East and Eastern Europe to research genocides, international law, and global immigration trends.

Shari lives in West Haven with her mother, Marva, and travels often to Jamaica to visit her father, Ralph.

Robert DiGioia, Gala Co-Chair Robert DiGioia is a New Haven Symphony Orchestra Board Member and the creative director of the Hearst Connecticut Media Group, a longtime NHSO corporate sponsor and producer of the New Haven Register and Connecticut Magazine. 2020 Wattles Award Robert returned to Connecticut in 2014 after a 13-year stint in Manhattan. A veteran of media companies and agencies, he is the founding publisher of national digital marketing magazine eMC and is active with the Branford Rotary. Burton Alter An award-winning graphic designer and writer, Mr. DiGioia’s work is routinely featured in newspapers and magazines across the state. Burton Alter is an admired leader among New Haven’s not-for-profit boards and an influential thought leader at national advocacy organizations, primarily in orchestral music and music education. Since retiring as an attorney he has served as an officer of the League of American Orchestras and the National Guild for Community Arts Education. In New Haven, he is the President of the Board at the Community Soup Kitchen, having previously led the Board of the New Haven Symphony and the Neighborhood Music School. He has been recognized as a Distinguished Advocate for the Arts (Connecticut Commission for the Arts) and is a Fellow of Berkeley College at Yale University. A graduate of Princeton University and Columbia Law School, Burton served as a Captain in the US Army Military Intelligence service. When he is not in the Board room, Burton’s pursuits include sailing and equestrian activities. His passion for serving the entire community inspired your Symphony’s efforts to make music in new places, especially in New Haven’s richly diverse neighborhoods. 2021 Quartet Awardees 2021 Quartet Awardees Artistic Excellence: Educational Excellence: Harolyn Blackwell Diane Brown & Xia Feng

Soprano Harolyn Blackwell is recognized for her expressive and exuberant performances, with a Diane X. Brown is a native of New Haven, CT and has served as the manager of the Stetson Branch of the New Haven Free Public Library since 2006. Prior to her appointment as branch manager, she was a Young Adult career that has spanned , concert and recital stages around the world. Following college, the Librarian for NHFPL. She is a community pillar at Southern Connecticut State University, having served as an Washington, D.C. native began her career on Broadway in ’s “”. adjunct professor and currently as Adjunct Staff at Buley Library. Shortly afterwards, she was selected as a finalist for the National Council Auditions, and her career path changed from the to opera. Since then, she has In 2015, she received the prestigious national “I Love My Librarian” award from The American Librarian performed with many of the major national and international opera companies, and at festivals Association and Carnegie Corporation for her outstanding work in building lasting partnerships to provide around the world, including Lyric Opera of , Glyndebourne Festival, Teatro Colon de Buenos services and programming to library patrons. Most notably, she collaborated with several community- based Aires, , Opera de Nice, Miami Opera, , Aix-en-Provence organizations to develop a series of ongoing programming for youth entitled “Teach Them While They Are Festival, Opera Orchestra of New York and New York’s . She has appeared Young.” This programming included a youth cooking program, chess club, martial arts and Africa Is Me, an in several productions at the Metropolitan Opera, including “,” “Le Nozze di interactive program for families to learn about the rich culture of Africa. In 2017, she received a “Special Figaro,” “,” “,” “” and “La Fille du Régiment”. Ms. Blackwell starred Achievement Award” from the Connecticut Library Association for her vision and networking. Other awards and accolades include recognition from the Community Healing Network, the Greater New Haven Arts Council, as Cunegonde in the Broadway revival of “”. An accomplished recitalist, she has performed Senator Richard Blumenthal, and the Commission on Equal Opportunity. in several acclaimed concert series, including London’s , ’s Weill Recital Hall, The Morgan Library, The Library of Congress, The San Francisco Performances Series at the Diane’s experience and success as a librarian has placed her in high demand for motivational speaking Herbst Hall, The Kennedy Center’s Fortas Chamber Series, The Vocal Arts Society of Washington engagements and seminars, having most recently been engaged by the Connecticut Library Association, and The Ambassador Foundation Performing Arts Series in Los Angeles. She has also appeared in a Albertus Magnus College, Wexler Grant Community School, ConnCAT, and Southern Connecticut State number of nationally televised concerts such as The Grammy Awards, The Kennedy Center Honors, University. Her board service and consultant record include work with Long Wharf Theater, Town of Hamden The Memorial Day and Fourth of July Concerts on PBS, Christmas in Washington and The PBS Live Arts Commissioner, the International Festival of Arts and Ideas, ConnCORP, and Elm City Freddy Fixer. From The , to name a few. Ms. Blackwell is the recipient of numerous awards and honors, one of which provided her with the opportunity to study in Italy with and Diane is currently leading her staff in developing a collection of 23,000 multi-media items that will be housed . Most recently, she was the recipient of The National Opera Association’s “Lift Every in the new Stetson Branch Library slated to open in May, 2021. The current library holdings are the largest “African American Collection” of books in a public library throughout Connecticut and beyond. The new Black Voice” Legacy Award. Collection will be named the “African Diaspora Collection” to include all works of Black people worldwide.

She is a member of the voice faculty at Manhattan School of Music, NYU Steinhardt and Barnard/ Diane’s commitment to the community she serves is unbreakable and goes well beyond the walls of Stetson Columbia University. Previously, she was a member of the voice faculty at The Peabody Conservatory Branch Library and her profession as a librarian. Just ask anyone in New Haven: “Do you know Diane Brown of Music at The Johns Hopkins University (or as the youth affectionately call her ‘Ms. Diane’)?” She is a vital role model in the village and respected as such. Her focus is the youth and, to that end, she has mentored so many that she has lost count. She works tirelessly to understand, advocate for, and to create positive memories for them and their families. Her care and concern for them is well-recognized and appreciated by their families and the community as a whole. For her it is not just a matter of “doing;” it is leading by example through “understanding” and being “engaged.”

In her 26-year tenure with New Haven Free Public Library, Xia Feng mentored and inspired many people inside and outside the library through her various roles including Deputy Director, Children’s Librarian, Coordinator of Children and Youth Services, and Public Services Administrator, where she oversaw children and youth services across the library system, bookmobile services, Courtland Wilson branch, and Fair Haven branch. She organized and led countless partnership programs with hundreds of organizations, including New Haven Public Schools, New Haven School Readiness Council, New Haven Housing Authority, Long Wharf Theater, Yale Repertory Theater, and, of course, the New Haven Symphony Orchestra. 2021 Quartet Awardees 2021 Quartet Awardees

Historical Impact: Excellence in Innovation: Helen Eugenia Hagan Yale School of Public Health Sten Vermund, MD, PhD Helen Eugenia Hagan was born on January 10, 1893 in Portsmouth, New Hampshire. Her mother taught her to play the piano and she went on to study at schools In New Haven, Connecticut. She The School of Public Health at Yale University provides leadership to protect and improve the health began playing the organ for the Dixwell Avenue Congregational Church when she was 9 years old. of the public. Through innovative education, research, policy analysis and practice that draws upon interdisciplinary scholarship from across the graduate and professional programs at Yale, the school In 1911 she won the coveted Lockwood Scholarship at Yale University School of Music. She earned serves local, national and international communities with its knowledge and expertise. The School her Bachelor of Music degree from Yale in 1912 and was awarded the Samuel Simmons Sanford fosters health equity, social justice and respectful discourse to enrich its teaching and scholarship, Fellowship, which granted her two years of music study abroad. It is believed that she was the first as well as empower the communities that it serves. Black woman to graduate from Yale University. The Yale School of Public Health has been nominated for this particular NHSO Quartet Award due Helen studied music In France and went to Europe during World War I and used her talent as a to clear leadership and a commitment to innovation in core areas of teaching, service, continuous musician to entertain Black troops in France of the American Expeditionary Force along with others learning, as well as scholarly research. In light of the global health crisis thrust upon the world in under the auspices of the YMCA. early 2020, the Yale School of Public Health has served as a steady and sound source of counsel for individuals as well as organizations. Wasting no time, the school worked collaboratively to provide In 1920 she married John Taylor Williams of Morristown, New Jersey. She continued her concert timely information to society in general while also being a leader and compassionate neighbor to career and had a music studio in Morristown for at least a decade. She was the first Black woman our local community. Together, we honor and celebrate the school, faculty and staff for dedicated admitted to the Morristown Chamber of Commerce and was the first Black pianist to present a solo service to the field of Public Health in general as well as the specific dedication to local wellness and recital in New York’s Aeolian Hall (1921). youth education. The “Yale Pathways to Science: Public Health virtual adventure” is just one example of this dedication and follows the immediate transition of online learning stemming from the global She taught at Tennessee State Agricultural and Mechanical College, became Dean of the School of COVID-19 pandemic. Music at Bishop College In Marshall, Texas, and finally, sometime after 1935, established the Helen Music Studio in New York. She died on March 6, 1964. Dr. Sten Vermund is a pediatrician and infectious disease epidemiologist focused on diseases of low and middle-income countries. His work on HIV-HPV interactions among women in Bronx methadone Her only work that survives is the Concerto in C Major for Piano and Orchestra, which she premiered programs motivated a change in the 1993 CDC AIDS case surveillance definition and inspired cervical with the New Haven Symphony Orchestra in 1916. cancer screening programs launched within HIV/AIDS programs around the world. The thrust of his research has focused on health care access, adolescent sexual and reproductive health and rights, and prevention of HIV transmission among general and key populations, including mother-to-child. Dr. Vermund has become increasingly engaged in health policy, particularly around sustainability of HIV/AIDS programs and their expansion to non-communicable diseases, coronavirus pandemic response and prevention, and public health workforce development. Maestro Sponsors VIP Benefactors Anthony and Keisha Boykin Michael and Renee Holmes Daniel & Jennifer Broom Ruth Koizim Diane Brown Michael and Kelly Loftus Anthony Cafiero Robert & Francine LoRusso Elsie B. Chapman Cynthia Parker Keith B. Churchwell & Gary & Deneen Pearl Leslie Douglas-Churchwell Carlos & Tracey Rivas Anne McB. Curtis Carol Ross Bert Dovo & Christine Riniti David E. Schancupp Jackie & Greg Downing Toufic & Janine Wakim William & Robin Fox Wayne & Patricia Warren Toddie & Chris Getman Dorothy Weston-Murphy Ira and Jan Greenberg Leonard and Ena Williams

VIP Patrons

James and Doris Barber Norma Pezzini Event Sponsors Jonathan Q. Berryman Philip and Loretta Smith Elizabeth M. Dock Arthur Volanth Amanda Mojica Kathy Wattles

Virtual Benefactors Astmann Family Richard LoPresti Steve & Judy August Amey Marrella R.J. & K.G. Bradley Maryann Ott Robert & Laurie Gerard Lisa Stanger Lynne Hawkins and Krista Hart Sandra T. Stein Kim A. Healey Charles Warner Paul & Kathleen Hermes Susan Holahan List as of February 1, 2021. Dr. Rita A. Landino About the Our Vision: To inspire, delight, challenge, and connect New Haven Symphony Orchestra diverse audiences and communities through the power of live music.

127 years after its inaugural performance, the New Haven Symphony Orchestra (NHSO) continues Our Mission: its legacy of artistically excellent performances, award-winning education programs, and innovative The NHSO enriches Connecticut’s cultural landscape through exceptional performances and approaches to community engagement. The fourth-oldest orchestra in the United States, each year education programs that are accessible to residents from all walks of life. Innovative programming the NHSO performs concerts and education program for more than 50,000 audience members, offered statewide inspires deeper audience engagement and meaningful artistic and educational including 20,000 students. collaborations which increase the reach and impact of the Symphony. Authentic commitments to diversity, equity, inclusion, and access move the NHSO to provide representation that reflects the Under the leadership of Music Director Alasdair Neale, as well as Principal Pops Conductor Chelsea richly diverse communities we serve in all areas of Symphony leadership. Tipton, the Symphony has achieved a level of artistic excellence that has generated excitement and new opportunities. The NHSO’s Education Programs wide-ranging menu of opportunities include Board of Directors statewide Young People’s Concerts, free Family Concerts, School Night at the Symphony, the Listen Up! Podcast Series, free KidTix, the Junior Board, and the Young Composer’s Project. PRESIDENT Richard LoPresti Keith Churchwell, MD Amey Marrella The NHSO’s innovative approach to increasing diversity and inclusion in classical music has garnered James T. Morley* national recognition through the Harmony Fellowship for Underrepresented Musicians. With VICE PRESIDENT David E. Schancupp renewed support from the nationally competitive Futures Fund in 2019, the Symphony is expanding D. Cristi Stroud Shari Smith the Fellowship to include Conducting, Board, and Administrative Fellows, bringing increased diversity Charles R. Warner to all areas of Symphony leadership. These ongoing efforts have earned the NHSO recognition and SECRETARY awards from the League of American Orchestras, the Getty Foundation, the National Endowment for James Alfieri DIRECTORS EMERITI the Arts, the Community Foundation for Greater New Haven, and the Greater New Haven Chamber Francis G. Adams* of Commerce. TREASURER Myrna Baskin* Patrick Dunleavey Anne Calabresi Deeply committed to new American music, the NHSO performed 14 world premieres from 2007- Joseph V. Ciaburri* 2021, received the ASCAP Award for Adventurous Programming in both 2010 and 2014, and created DIRECTORS Robert K. Ciulla* the new William Boughton Fund for American Music in 2019 to support of these efforts. The NHSO Burton Alter* William Curran was the recipient of the Greater New Haven Chamber of Commerce’s First Annual Sunspot Innovation Linda Astmann Robert Dannies* Award in 2018. Anne Benowitz Joy Ford Jonathan Berryman William Gedge* To learn more about the NHSO, visit NewHavenSymphony.org. Robert Blocker James R. Greenfield* Robert DiGioia Charles C. Kingsley* Bert Dovo Richard B. Lightfoot* Brian Gedicks Charles A. O’Malley, III* Laurie Gerard Robert Santy* Christopher H. Getman* Gloria Schaffer Paul Hermes* Tracey Scheer* Bruce Kalk Gurdon Wattles Zanaiya Léon George Logan * Denotes Past President NHSO Musicians Guest Artist Bios Alasdair Neale, music director Chelsea Tipton II, principal pops conductor Linedy Genao is thrilled to be a part of New Haven Symphony Orchestra’s first virtual gala right in her hometown! Linedy was a featured performer in the Original Broadway cast of On Your Feet!, where VIOLIN CELLO HORN she was the understudy for Rachel/Gloria Estefan. She has appeared in the filmDeath Saved My Life David Southorn, Concertmaster Rebecca Patterson† Eva Conti† as Kelly, in the National Tour of Dear Evan Hansen (Zoe Murphy/Alana Beck u/s), and in the recording Artemis Simerson, Assistant Tom Hudson‡ Brian Nichols of the upcoming film version of In the Heights. She has performed regionally at Goodspeed’s Norma Concertmaster Joanne Choi Sara Cyrus‡ Terris Theatre, the , Miami’s Actors’ Playhouse, Chicago’s Broadway Playhouse, Stephan Tieszen† Christine Coyle Kyle Hoyt and Olney Theatre Center. Linedy holds a BA in Business Administration from UCONN. Con amor a mi Millie Piekos‡ Julia Henderson familia, para siempre. You can find Linedy on Instagram at Twitter at @linedygenao. Shenae Anderson Mariusz Skula TRUMPET Simon Bilyk Patricia Smith Rich Clymer† Anton Kot is alumnus of the New Haven Symphony Orchestra Young Composer Project and continues Dénise Chividian Kelsee Vandervall* Ken Tedeschi‡ to work with the NHSO Music Director Alasdair Neale. A freshman at , studying Soohyun Choi privately under Lenny White and Alan Broadbent, he performs in the NYU All University Jazz Ensemble Elisabeth Ewe BASS TROMBONE led by Bobby Sanabria and in Brad Shepik’s New World Ensemble. Akiko Hosoi Andrew Trombley† Scott Cranston† Stephanie Hug Nicholas Cathcart‡ Terrence Fay‡ In 2021, Anton performed as a jazz percussionist during the National YoungArts Week+, and as Yoon Be Kim Jim Andrews a drummer and pianist for the Hartford Jazz Society’s “Baby Grand Jazz Series.” His recent work Anna Leunis Alexander Bickard TUBA “Ripples” was composed and premiered during the 2020 JAS Aspen Snowmass Academy led by Yuan Ma Christopher Johnson Adam Crowe† Christian McBride, Chuck Bergeron, and Shelly Berg. Judith McDermott-Eggert Jeffrey Tomkins Eliza Wong TIMPANI Anton studied at the Neighborhood Music School and received the ACES Educational Center for the Saerom Yoo FLUTE Michael Singer† Arts Advanced Certificate in Performance (2020). This same year, his Manhattan School of Music Janet Wu York Mira Magrill† Precollege jazz ensemble, directed by Jeremy Manasia, received the Downbeat Student Music Award Aurora Mendez* Marjorie Shansky‡^ PERCUSSION for Outstanding HS Honors Ensemble Performance. He was the pianist with the Jazz at the Lincoln Aya Kaminaguchi† Center Youth Orchestra led by Ted Nash and Tatum Greenblatt, recognized for Superior Performance VIOLA OBOE during the Charles Mingus Festival (2020, NYC). Anton was also the Drummer for the 2020 Jazz Band Marvin Warshaw† Olav van Hezewijk† HARP of America led by Dr. Ronald McCurdy. Ellen Higham‡ Marta Boratgis‡ Jennifer Hoult† Gretchen Frazier Bethany Hargreaves CLARINET PIANO Brian Isaacs David Shifrin† William Braun† Yaroslav Kargin Bixby Kennedy‡ Jill Pellett Levine PERSONNEL MANAGER & Carol Warshaw BASSOON LIBRARIAN Barbara Wiggin Remy Taghavi† Marvin Warshaw Sue Zoellner-Cross‡ † principal ‡ assistant principal *harmony fellow ^legacy member Guest Artist Bios, Continued Silent Auction Donors Amey Marrella Empress Rising Senator Gary Winfield Nikki Claxton lives in New Haven and has been dancing since she was 6 years old. She was a gymnast Best Video Film & House of Naan Styled by G first, but her local dance training with Mrs. Tina Kershaw-Hobson made her fall in love with dance. Cultural Center Kramer Portraits Thabisa Rich Nikki traveled to NYC to study at the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theatre where she continued to Black Rock Social House LaTanya | S.I.S.T.E.R.S LLC The Fat Robin study Ballet, Horton, Jazz, Dunham, and West African Dance. Nikki teaches dance at Betsy Ross Arts Broken Arrow Nursery Lauren Pittman | Sun Queen The Metropolitan Opera Magnet School in New Haven. She was a student there, as well. She also teaches at ConnCAT’s Burton Alter L’Orcio Travis Higgins III youth summer program in the Newhallville section of New Haven at Science Park. Nikki was the Caitlin Daly Gonzales Magik Press Whitney Donut & Sandwich coordinator, teacher, and choreographer of the Westport Dance Center Competition Team, creating Chip in a Bottle Moon Rocks Shop award-winning by choreography, as well as inspiring the team. Nikki loves her students and teaching Claudine Smith Nancy DeVries William Foster dance. It’s her passion. She’s known for her athletically challenging classes, as well as pushing her Cynthia Eggers Pataka WSHU students to dance from their hearts. She prides herself in making you become the best dancer you Dan Camenga Professor M And MORE! can be! While dance is her passion, her son Ro is her world. DiBella’s Subs Samara Clark Dotty & Bob Camenga Sandy Stein List as of January 28, 2021 Jah’Lil Jefferies is New Haven Promise Scholar currently in her sophomore year at the University of Connecticut. She has attended Wilbur Cross for high school and is a Betsy Ross Arts Magnet School Alumnus. Jah’Lil has been a resident of New Haven all of her life and loves her community. Silent Auction Instructions Violinist William Shaw is a 15-year-old 10th grader at Hopkins School. He has been a student at Neighborhood Music School for nine years, where he currently studies with Viara Albonetti. He is Bid Online the co-concertmaster of the Greater New Haven Youth Orchestra. His first violin teacher was NHSO After checking in to the virtual Gala on Hopin, tap the BLUE link in your welcome text message and violist Gretchen Frazier. In 8th grade he was the concertmaster of the New Haven Concert Orchestra, it will take you to your personal bidding page. You can also go to NHSO2021.GiveSmart.com on directed by NHSO principal violist Marvin Warshaw. your phone, tablet, or computer.

Here you can view and bid on items throughout the night. The minimum bid and bid increments are pre-populated for you. Automatic bidding is available by tapping the autobid option. The system will bid for you incrementally up until your designated amount, and only if someone bids Special Thanks against you. Betsy Ross Arts Magnet School Mateusz Zechowski Elizabth Foxwell Metropolitan Opera “BUY IT NOW” Items Elm City Girls Neighborhood Music School Skip the bidding process and “Buy it Now!” Select auction items offer the opportunity to instantly Gaidosz Woodworking Senator Richard Blumenthal purchase and remove the item from the bidding competition. Tap BUY NOW and then tap BUY The Glass Source / Michael Skrtic Thabisa Rich NOW FOR $. This will end bidding and the item will be yours! Henry Minot Lowell Tong Jackie Downing Donate Now Support any time tonight by tapping the “Click to Donate” button on the Givesmart website and entering an amount, or by texting the word “give” and amount. (Example: Text “give 100”.)

Didn’t get your welcome text? Text NHSO2021 to 76278 and follow the prompts.

Need help? Call our help desk line at (203) 693-1486 or email [email protected]. Dare to accelerate financial growth Yale New Haven Hospital supports What moves should your New Haven Symphony Orchestra’s �nance team make now? RISE Gala Celebration Visit www.oracle.com/erp/solutions/�nance-strategy to learn more

Yale New Haven Health believes the sum is greater than all of its parts. When individual organizations work well together with a common mission, great things happen. This collaboration is what makes our community strong.

17895 (01/21) OPPORTUNITY + EQUITY

GREATER NEW HAVEN COVID- 19 COMMUNITY FUND A COMMUNITY-WIDE EFFORT

cfgnh.org/covid19fund Crest raises our batons to Burton Alter and tonight’s other awardees.

Bravo from Crest Lincoln of Woodbridge! We proudly support the arts. As a proud philanthropic partner of The Community Foundation for Greater New Haven, we make strategic investments into our region that benefit all, like tonight’s event.

Learn how the Valley Community Foundation can help you find a charitable solution for something you’re passionate

Lincoln Navigator Lincoln Nautilus about, like the arts for example, by visiting Lincoln Aviator Lincoln Corsair www.valleyfoundation.org or give us a call at 203-751-9162. Enjoy the show!

CREST LINCOLN OF WOODBRIDGE FOR GOOD. 185 Amity Road, Woodbridge, CT 06525 203-389-7100 FOR EVER. www.crestwoodbridge.com FOR THE VALLEY.

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