LEADERSHIP

Board Of Trustees

Susan Ennis

Eric Gronningsater

Marcia Clay Hamilton

Thomas Hampson (HonDMA ’09)

Lori Harris

Nancy Freund Heller

Han Jo Kim, MD

Nicholas Mann

Bebe Neuwirth (HonDMA ’15)

Bill O’Connor

Lois Roman

Paul Schnell

Leonard Slatkin (HonDMA ’13)

Yvonne Tsao

Bernie Williams (BM ’16)

Trustees Emeriti

Joan Taub Ades (HonDMA ’14)

Carla Bossi-Comelli (HonDMA ’20)

Marta Istomin (HonDMA ’05), President Emerita

David A. Rahm (HonDMA ’07), Chair Emeritus

Robert G. Simon

International Advisory Board

Carla Bossi-Comelli (HonDMA ’20), Chair, Switzerland

Mita Aparicio, Mexico

Delin Bru, United States

Luisa G. Buchanan (BM ’63), Peru/United States

Alejandro Cordero, Argentina

Edith Hall Friedheim (MM ’72), Canada/ United States

Eric Gronningsater, United States

Raul M. Gutierrez, Mexico/Spain

Lori Harris, United States

Masaaki Maeda, Japan/ United States

Michelle Ong, Hong Kong

Margot Patron, Mexico

Chiona XanthopoulouSchwarz, Germany

Angel Sosa, Mexico

Flavio Varani (BM ’68, MM ’70), Brazil/ United States

Guillermo Vogel, Mexico

Artistic Advisory Council

Terence Blanchard (HonDMA ’17)

Anthony Roth Costanzo (MM ’08, HonDMA ’22)

Glenn Dicterow

Peter Duchin

Richard Gaddes (HonDMA ’17)

Thomas Hampson (HonDMA ’09)

Stefon Harris (BM ’95, MM ’97)

Marta Istomin (HonDMA ’05), President Emerita

Bernard Labadie (HonDMA ’18)

Lang Lang (HonDMA ’12)

Bebe Neuwirth (HonDMA ’15)

Leonard Slatkin (HonDMA ’13)

Melissa Wegner (MM ’05)

Pinchas Zukerman (HonDMA ’93)

May 17, 2023

Dear Friends:

It gives me great pleasure to welcome everyone as the Manhattan School of Music (MSM) hosts its annual gala.

New York’s creative community reflects the unparalleled diversity, energy, and spirit of innovation that define the five boroughs. I am tremendously grateful to MSM for its tradition of excellence in nurturing the talent of emerging artists of all backgrounds, while also engaging New Yorkers through free or lowcost performances of music, jazz, opera, and musical theater. Tonight’s event will celeb rate this esteemed conservancy’s Opera Studies Program and honor the contributions of longtime trustees Marcia Clay Hamilton and Edward Lowenthal, who will be stepping down from the board after a combined 33 years of service. As you gather at Rockefeller Center’s iconic Rainbow Room to advance MSM’s important mission, I applaud everyone associated with this vibrant institution for their efforts to enrich our cultural landscape and empower the next generation of musical leaders. Together, we will continue to #GetStuffDone and forge a brighter, more harmonious, and prosperous future for all.

On behalf of the City of New York, congratulations to this year’s honorees. Please accept my best wishes for a festive evening and further success.

Sincerely,

Eric Adams Mayor

May 17, 2023

Dear Friends,

It is a privilege to send greetings to everyone attending the 2023 Gala of the Manhattan School of Music. I would like to offer my sincere congratulations to this year's distinguished honorees, Marcia Clay Hamilton and Edward Lowenthal.

The Manhattan School of Music has been an iconic and distinguished conservatory since 1917, producing legendary musicians, artists, and educators. I am grateful for institutions like the MSM that provide such invaluable contributions to the arts. Your work and p edagogy are truly inspiring and have the power to shape and influence the next generation of New York musicians.

The arts play a vital role in making New York City a strong and vibrant place, and I am honored to represent each of you in the United States Senate. Please accept my best wishes for a wonderful gala and for many more years of continued success.

Sincerely,

Kirsten Gillibrand United States Senator

May 17, 2023

Dear Friends,

I am pleased to join you in celebrating the Manhattan School of Music’s annual gala, especially this year as we shine a spotlight on MSM’s formidable Opera Studies Program.

The Manhattan School of Music’s work educating nearly 1,000 students from 50 different countries in such a diverse array of disciplines is truly an incredible achievement. For over a century, MSM has been a leader in music studies, producing holistically trained musicians who go on to be members of the finest operas, orchestras, and performance companies in the world. MSM alumni define music as we know it today, and MSM is an invaluable part of the greater music community and Manhattan as a whole.

In addition to your talented students, renowned faculty, and dedicated staff, I would also like to congratulate honorees Marcia Clay Hamilton and Edward Lowenthal for their extraordinary leadership in the arts and commitment to the Manhattan School of Music.

On behalf of the Borough of Manhattan, I wish you another year of success!

Sincerely,

Manhattan Borough President