Beginning with a capacity-filled Carnegie Hall concert and followed by a gala reception in the Grand Ballroom of the Plaza Hotel, the February 11 gala benefit evening celebrating the 25th anniversary of the Young People's Chorus of New York City founded by Artistic Director Francisco J. Núñez has turned out to be the most successful in the chorus' history, benefiting an organization that has transformed the lives of thousands of children. BroadwayWorld has photos from the concert below!
Joining Mr. Núñez, The New York Pops, and more than 1000 YPC choristers was a star-studded array of performers from the worlds of classical, pop, jazz, Broadway, and dance.
Joining YPC in generously donating their time and talents in support of YPC's mission of diversity and artistic excellence were hostess Renée Fleming, Broadway/concert artist Capathia Jenkins, young indie singer-songwriter Kate Davis, the Antonio Ciacca Jazz Trio, and the Stephen Petronio Dance Company in a spectacular showcase that musically launched the award-winning Young People's Chorus of New York City into its second quarter century. And in a breathtaking highlight of the concert, Ms. Fleming gave an impromptu performance of "I'll Never Walk Alone" with YPC, surprising the thrilling the entire audience.
Following the concert, a Plaza Hotel reception was attended by over 600 supporters from business, philanthropy, and the arts. Honorary Chairman for this gala evening was Steven A. Cahillane, the president of Coca-Cola Americas. Co-chairs were YPC's new Chairman Adam D. Chinn of Centerview Partners LLC and Hugh Gordon from The Coca-Cola Company with vice-chairs including Global Chief Executive Officer Laura Desmond of Starcom MediaVest Group; YPC board member Philip H. Lovett, founding partner of Millennium Partners; Chief Executive Officer Duncan Niederauer of NYSE Euronext; and Chairman and CEO Chris Weil of Momentum Worldwide. In another surprise of the evening, Buddy Valastro, the Cake Boss, created a special, custom-make cake for this occasion.
Carnegie Hall filled to capacity
Renee Fleming Host-Performer at YPC Gala
AC Grand Ballroom at plaza
Stephen Petronio and Kate Davis (Photo Credit: Annabelle Clark)
Ambassador Shigeyuki Hiroki
Skip Paul (right) with Greg and Mona Arnold
Francisco J. Nunez, Adam Chinn, Hugh Gordon
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