Grammy Award Winner and Violin Virtuoso Joshua Bell Honored at Kaufman Music Center's 2017 Gala

Kaufman Music Center's 2017 Gala took place on Monday, May 22, at Guastavino's. The event, which raised nearly $800,000 in support of Kaufman's music education programs, celebrated the 20th Anniversary of Kaufman's public school for musically gifted children, Special Music School

Kaufman Music Center's 2017 Creative Arts Award was presented to GRAMMY Award Winner and Violin Virtuoso Joshua Bell, who performed with young virtuosos from Special Music School and pianst Alessio Bax.

The Gala also featured a stunning performance by a trio of Special Music School High School seniors Joshua Kail (violin), Boubacar Diallo (cello) and Victoria Wen (piano). The students are members of SMS High School's first graduating class.

Gala guests had the opportunity to bid on unique and highly personal experiences, including: A dinner and private concert with the celebrated violinist Joshua Bell at his Manhattan home; a trip to Paris, France, including round-trip business class airfare provided by La Compagnie and accommodations at the elegant Hotel des Saint Pères, and tickets to the Broadway shows "Hello, Dolly!" and "Dear Evan Hansen."

Gala Chairs Bethany and Robert B. Millard and Christina and Lawrence Wee and the Gala Vice Chairs, Elaine and Henry Kaufman and the Assurant Foundation, were joined by a veritable "Who's Who" of area and national business leaders, acclaimed actors and performers, and philanthropists including David and Devorah Rose Krieger, Bethany and Robert B. Millard, Solange Landau, Joel and Tracy Beckerman, Barbara and Louis Perlmutter, Ann and Tom Johnson, Nicolas Britell and Vladimir Feltsman.

Kaufman Music Center's annual Gala benefits the Center's Fund for Music Education, which helps thousands of children access high-level instruction in music, theater and dance. The Fund supports the extensive music curriculum at Kaufman's K-12 public school for musically gifted children (Special Music School), provides scholarships to underprivileged students at Manhattan's largest community arts school (Lucy Moses School) and creates opportunities for children in New York City's neediest schools to enjoy musical theater performances

Special thanks to 2017 Gala sponsors Assurant, Credit Suisse, and Vinson & Elkins LLP.