Young Concert Artists celebrated its 65th anniversary with a gala and concert at Jazz at Lincoln Center.
“For 65 years, YCA has played a singular role in the life of classical music,” said YCA President Daniel Kellogg from the stage of the Rose Theater, “identifying extraordinary young musicians and helping them take the first steps toward major international careers. This season alone, our artist management team has secured more than 900 performance engagements for YCA artists.”
The evening included an extensive program performed by YCA star alumni and current roster artists. Offered YCA Board Chairman Paul J. Sekhri, “Everyone’s presence here reflects a shared belief in the importance of music and responsibility to support the artists who carry it forward. Because of you, YCA continues to identify and launch exceptional musicians onto the world stage.” A lively dinner in Lincoln Center’s Appel Room, overlooking Columbus Circle and Central Park, followed the concert. The evening raised more than $1.1 million in support of YCA’s work.
The evening honored Carter Brey, principal cellist of the New York Philharmonic, and Anne-Marie McDermott, pianist and Artistic Director of Bravo! Vail Music Festival, both of whose careers started at YCA. “Carter and Anne-Marie both have made an important mark on our concert world,” said YCA Founder, Susan Wadsworth. “Their talent preceded their YCA debuts. We are proud of their part in our history.”
Noted Brey, “I look back and appreciate the incredible service that Susan did to classical music in this country. YCA gave people like me not only a start, but perspective for what’s coming down the road.”
“YCA has established such gravitas over the past 65 years because of its track record of artists,” added McDermott. “There has never been a more important time for all of us to identify, nurture, foster love, give confidence, and elevate young people.”
Attending were YCA Board Members Anthony Di Resta, Beatrice Francais, Demetrius Fuller, Mark Greenwold, Paul Gridley, Sharon Bowen Gurtler, Angela Haines, Andrew Hawkins, Marlene Herring, Paul Huang, Karen Lindquist, Shana Litt, Michael Lubin, Judith Pisar, Irene Roth, Judith Schlosser, Paul Sekhri, Mitchell Sikora, Jennifer Allan Soros, Ratna Subrahmanyam, and Chee-Yun, as well as staunch YCA supporters and guests Eva-Marie and Ray Berry, Margery Feldberg, Clive Gillinson, Margaret and Gregory Hedberg, Stanley Shuman and Jessica Hopfield, Golnar Khosrowshahi, So-Chung Shinn Lee, Helen and William Little, Billie and Ross McKnight, Ilse Melamid, Irene Miller, Mary Mochary, Nancy Newcomb and John Hargraves, Liane Pei, Susan and Elihu Rose, Oscar and Didi Schafer, Cathy Stone, Mary Tanner, Matiás Tarnopolsky, Marijke and Lodewijk de Vink, and Svetlana and Herbert Wachtell.
For more information, visit yca.org.
