Broadway Stars Come to Bronxville To Celebrate Young at Arts

Young at Arts, Westchester's dynamic, performing arts educational organization dedicated to helping young people expand their horizons and build character through music and drama, announce their 12th annual benefit concert on March 20, 2017 at Christ Church in Bronxville, New York. The program will welcome Broadway stars to sing along with over 100 select students for a celebratory evening, exploring and performing the works of composer Alan Menken.

Representing the acclaimed shows of Menkin, guests will enjoy performances by Broadway stars Arielle Jacobs (Jasmine in the Australian tour of Aladdin), Ashley Brown (Broadway's original Mary Poppins) and Donald Jones Jr. (Aladdin on Broadway). The evening will be led by co-musical directors, Charles & Annbritt duChateau, from Broadway shows King & I and Aladdin respectively. Other musicians for the evening are a combination of YAA faculty members as well as additional Broadway guest artists, who have backed up artists from Barbara Streisand to Beyoncé.

"With our program serving over 500 students each year, the benefit is a wonderful evening to recognize the work and talent of these children, and help to raise funds to keep Young at Arts able to serve the community in the way it has over the last decade," explains Sharyn Pirtle, Founding Artistic Director of Young at Arts.

With more than 30% of the student body on scholarship, Young at Arts fulfills the mission to bring neighboring but disparate communities together, bridging students from the Village of Bronxville to Mount Vernon, where many children live below the poverty line, and in between. Collectively, YAA thrives on 3 campuses, representing over 40 schools across Westchester County, The Bronx and Manhattan.

Young at Arts Annual Broadway Benefit, "Broadway Comes to Bronxville featuring a Salute to Alan Menken, will begin at 6:30 p.m. with light fare and cocktails, followed by a concert at 7:00 p.m. VIP tickets are $500, General Admission, $200, and Youth, $100, and are available on line at www.youngatartsny.org/benefit-2

The Gala evening will take place at Christ Church Bronxville, located on 17 Sagamore Road, in the village of Bronxville.

ABOUT YOUNG AT ARTS

Young At Arts is a dynamic, performing arts educational organization dedicated to helping young people expand their horizons and build character through music and drama. By bringing together children of different backgrounds and means in a collaborative environment with high expectations, students learn skills that serve them well for the rest of their lives. Young at Arts serves an area encompassing The Bronx and Southern Westchester County where over 50 percent of the children live below the poverty line and where arts education is virtually absent in schools.

Young at Arts was founded in 2005 by Sharyn Pirtle and Father Michael Bird, Rector of Christ Church Bronxville. Since its establishment, YAA has made a demonstrably positive impact in the lives of hundreds of young people. Our students have performed throughout the metropolitan area at such venues as Lincoln Center, the United Nations, and the Yale Club, and for audiences that have included Mayor Michael Bloomberg, soprano Renee Fleming, 2006 Nobel Peace Prize winner Dr. Muhammad Yunus, Broadway performer Brian Stokes Mitchell, media magnate Martha Stewart and singing legend Tony Bennett. And just as important, our students can be seen regularly in performances throughout their own communities, including the Bronxville Street Fair, the Mount Vernon and Yonkers Tree Lighting ceremonies, The Wartburg Adult Care Community and representing the Junior League of Bronxville at their service venues. YAA currently serves children on campuses in Eastchester and Bronxville as well as serving as the provider for the Vocal Music Academy at the Amani Public Charter School in Mount Vernon, NY. Young at Arts is supported by the City of Mount Vernon Recreation Department, who provides free transportation to our students. We are both honored and thankful to be a recipient of the Episcopal Charities Youth Opportunity grant since 2006.