Brooklyn Music School to Host NEW HEARTBEATS Fundraising Gala

Brooklyn Music School (BMS) will host the New heartBEATS Fundraising Gala on Wednesday, May 18th on the rooftop terrace at the Brooklyn Children's Museum with one goal in mind: to promote healthy arts in the Brooklyn community.

"Brooklyn Music School's mission is to make it possible for everyone, regardless of their background and resources, to be able to experience the joy of music and the artistic and intellectual benefits of the performing arts," said Brian Adamczyk, Executive Director of BMS.

"BMS has been a pillar of New York for over a century and is committed to providing high-quality, accessible, world-wide-influenced performing arts instruction to the widest possible range of students," Adamczyk continued.

New heartBEATS Gala

BMS believes that a healthy arts community contributes to the overall mental and physical well-being of the borough while also fostering strong community connections.

Contributions and funds raised from the New heartBEATS Gala will enhance programming and help sustain Brooklyn as a thriving arts community, including early childhood music education, after school programs, music therapy, dance, musical theater, and music programming in the borough's schools, community centers, and senior centers.

The honorees for the 2022 New heartBEATS Gala are singer-songwriter Maya Azucena, bass guitarist Melvin Gibbs, drummer John Stanier, and producer/manager Damon DeGraff.

New to this year's gala is the Dr. Leon Gunther Legacy Award. Dr. Gunther is a former Brooklyn Music School student, author of "The Physics of Music and Color: Sound and Light," and a physics professor emeritus at Tufts University. The Legacy Award recognizes members of the Brooklyn Music School community who go above and beyond to commit themselves to the BMS mission. The 2022 recipient is Hope Kelly.

"I can hardly put into words how honored I am. While I am a theoretical physicist, I am also a musician thanks to the Brooklyn Music School. I was a student at BMS over 70 years ago and because of my time there music fills every aspect of my life. I'm sure that it will continue to do the same for every student, regardless of the paths they carve out for themselves in life," said Dr. Gunther.

The entertainment for the evening features a stellar lineup of artists, professional and student alike. Melvin Gibbs and Don Mackenzie will perform and Damon DeGraff will speak. Guests will enjoy a violin performance by Dr. Michelle Lie (TESLA STRING QUARTET) and Gloria Lee.

Audrey Borst (BROOKLYN BALLET) will perform a ballet piece and New York City painter, Lauren Kelisha Muller, will create a live painting that will be available for auction at the end of the night. Gala attendees will be able to participate in the live auction where they can bid on a variety of items ranging from guitars, cooking lessons, gift baskets, and more.

Proceeds from the gala will allow BMS to continue their mission of serving the community and providing an accessible performing arts education.

For more information on how to donate/buy tickets/become a sponsor, please click here.

Learn more at brooklynmusicschool.org

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