Renowned Tenor Anthony Kearns Begins Benefit Tour for Children

This month, Anthony Kearns, a founding member of The Irish Tenors, begins a unique concert tour to help improve education for children across the U.S. The tour will feature Kearns singing favorite songs of Ireland, Broadway and operas in San Francisco, CA (September 23), Long Beach, CA (September 26), Columbus, OH (October 21), and Wilton, CT (October 23). The concert tour, sponsored by Wexford Institute, continues in Spring 2011.

The concerts are the main events of a fundraising effort to support Wexford's work to raise awareness and improve the education of children with autism, children in trauma, and children learning English. Supporting special needs children with training of companion dogs is a focus of our Connecticut co-sponsor, Canine Training and Behavior Services (CTBS).

County Wexford is the homeland of the family of the late President John F. Kennedy. Kearns recently sang at a memorial for the President in New Ross, Ireland. The President's sister, Jean Kennedy Smith, attended and complimented Anthony, "I've never heard a better Irish Tenor voice!" This November is the 50th anniversary of the election of President Kennedy. At the concerts, Mr. Kearns will also honor the late President and his family for the work that he and his family have done for children, especially those with special needs.

In an exclusive video-conversation, Kearns talks about why he takes time from his busy schedule of operas and concerts to perform these benefit concerts and the Wexford connections. In his own words, "I have been working in the United States since the end of 1998 and I have been very fortunate in the opportunities I've been given. That's why you'll find me performing charity concerts. It's a nice way to give back...it's something I like doing."

Tickets for the San Francisco and Wilton concerts are available at City Box Office. Tickets for the Long Beach and Columbus concerts are available at Ticketmaster.

If you are unable to attend a concert, please consider making a contribution now.