My goal is to raise AT LEAST $3000!
I have been overwhelmed with the response to the fundraiser so far. I am so humbled by the generosity of friends and strangers to support these organizations! We are ALMOST two-thirds there. I am going to keep making music to get the word out. But I need your help! Please check out the fundraiser, LIKE it, SHARE it, and GIVE as much as you can!
#FriendsArtistsMusic
Artists are struggling because of the global pandemic and there is no end in sight to that struggle as performing arts organizations across the country have cancelled all remaining performances in 2020 and the restart in 2021 is uncertain.
I wanted to help in some way. So I started a GoFundMe to support three organizations who are championing artists in this difficult time. The three organizations I am supporting are:
Dell’Arte Opera Ensemble is a small opera company here in New York City of which I am the President of the Board. When the pandemic started, we started an Alumni Artist Relief Fund to offer grants to the program’s alumni who were struggling financially. When it was decided that we had to cancel our festival that was to be held in August, the Board decided to still pay our artists 50% of their fees so they wouldn’t be completely out of funds that they had counted on. And through the quarantine and beyond, the training of these opera artists is continuing online at no cost to them so the growth is continuing. (Visit the dell’Arte website here )
The Artist Relief Tree is a fund that was started as soon as the cancellations from organizations started pouring in. Any artist of any discipline can apply to the fund and without question, the artist in need will receive a $250 grant. They are about a 3rd away from their goal of 1 million dollars and they need help to continue giving those grants. (Visit the Artist Relief Tree website here )
The Hochstein Music School is a non-for-profit community music school in Rochester, NY. Hochstein is where I learned to play the piano when I was a child and I attribute so much of my musical growth to my years there. They provide lessons on every instrument, classes, large ensembles, chamber music, dance and more to students all over the Rochester area and their tuition is on a sliding scale so that it makes music learning affordable to everyone. Since the pandemic, they have had to close their doors. Many of the teachers began to teach lessons online but that is never the ideal situation. Hochstein is celebrating their 100th year in 2020. (Visit Hochstein Music School Website here )
THE PROJECT
In support of this fundraiser, I have created a huge VIRTUAL COLLABORATIVE PROJECT! It’s called #FriendsArtistsMusic because I have reached out to some fabulous musicians who happen to be my friends and musical partners to create several music videos with me. There is a VAST variety of music and these musicians are extraordinary. Please enjoy them. And then SHARE THEM!