Beautiful women of high society in breathtaking rhinestoned, and sequined evening gowns standing aside men with the same social status adorned in silk lapeled jackets marked the black tie Career Bridges 20th Anniversary Gala on May 7, 2024 at the prestigious and historic Metropolitan Club in New York City. The Cinderella/ Prince Charming affair gave way to an exhilarating perfume of fairytales. While most present had never flown a dragon, discovered an ancient temple, or spoken an incantation, for the recipients of the grants awarded and the honored guests it was an enchanted fairytale come true.
The mission of Career Bridges led by founders David Schuyler Bender and wife Barbara is to help young opera singers launch their careers by awarding them, grants in voice coaching, diction, language, repertory, and stage presence.
The “marble palace’s” grande entrée was the opulent destination for the cocktail hour and silent auction. The Metropolitan club was described by historian Montgomery Schuyler as “the largest, most imposing, and most luxurious of the club houses of New York. Designed by Stanford White at the height of the American Renaissance and built in 1892, its grand staircase climbed upward in a glorious spiral each step fanning out from the center core with exacting precision. Embracing the glorious flight was an exuberance of the finest marble, beckoned with intricacy, drawing a path upward from the depths of the mundane to the stacks of the celebrated imagination…. A decadent backdrop surrounding the social eloquence of the evening.
The wine and drink flowed freely accompanied by glorious hors d’oeuvres. Networking was on top of its game and friends smiled and met new friends as they feverishly viewed the prestigious artwork, the youthful skin products, designer handbags, Caribbean vacations, and all the of the unique treasures offered for the silent auction created to raise money for Career Bridges. Bursts of light and the click of a camera froze the motion of the guests while cell phone cameras crowded the space with memories lasting a lifetime and beyond and then it became time for dinner and concert in the grand ballroom. The guests Lorraine Silvetz, husband Bob, Anne Akers, Jane Thorngren, Jane Pontarelli, Yvette Bender, John Pasquale and his guests honored multi-award winning composer Randy Edelman and more gracefully took their seats at assigned tables.
This year’s Gala performance host was the former President of the Rodgers and Hammerstein organization, Theodore S. Chapin. It was his responsibility to manage various copywriters created by Rodgers and Hammerstein where he led many Broadway productions including over 20 award-winning Broadway and London revivals. He was also the co-founder of City Center’s “Encores.”
The solo voices possessed strong melodies that showcased the singer’s vocal abilities, and also expressed the emotions of the arias. Human passion was represented in their dramatic performances, however, each singer had a different style and the performances were extremely diverse. It was all astonishing to hear the capabilities of the human voice. The performance and recipients of the grants included: Wonjin Choi, a Korean tenor, Michelle Geffner, a soprano and graduate of Juilliard, Trevor Haumschilt-Rocha a Mexican-American baritone, tenor Scott Rubén La Marca, mezzo soprano Shu Li, Lindsey Polcyn a mezzo-Soprano, Romanian-American soprano Esther Tonea, and baritone Vichen Xue.
In between the majestic performances was the awarding of the illustrious honored. Both Barbara adorned in a persuasive and chic feathered ensemble and David, handsome in his tux did a phenomenal job while presenting the triumphs. The Distinguished Achievement Award was given to Jason Kwintner who for the last 18 years helped coordinate the venue, the superb dining and the event’s hospitality creating the memories.
The Distinguished Achievement Award was given to Jane Bergère, an Olivier and multi-Tony Award winning producer. Recognized by the New York Times she has brought Broadway to Connecticut and is responsible for launching the careers of many actors, directors, choreographers, and industry professionals working on Broadway. She is currently represented on Broadway for “Water for Elephants.”
The Lifetime Humanitarian Award was given to Dr. Joan Taub Ades. Joan is a prominent member of premier philanthropic circles in New York, and throughout the country. She is the creator of Joan’s Closet which is a program exclusive to MSM’s female students which provides them with appropriate clothing for auditions, concerts and recitals at no charge.
Composer Randy Edelman received the Lifetime Achievement Award for his joyous contribution to music, eloquently introduced by Tribeca Record owner John “SohoJohnny” Pasquale. Randy has composed over 100 film and TV soundtracks including: Last of the Mohicans, My Cousin Vinny, Dragonheart, Gettysburg, Shanghai Noon, Ghostbusters ll, The Mask, Twins, Dare Mighty Things for NASA, NBC on-air Olympics theme, the series MacGyver, and a marathon of others. His pop songs have been covered by artists including Barry Manilow, Patti LaBelle, Olivia Newton-John, Nelly, Dionne Warwick, and a vast array of others.
Randy shared his talent with the audience as he performed “A Weekend in New England.” His deeply heartwarming musical gift prompted the audience to desire more so after receiving his award with his arm around Barbara, he returned to the piano and played the last song Bing Crosby recorded before his death, “The Woman On My Arm.” His interpretation sparked the delicate nuances of the song invoking a deep emotional connection with the audience.
The evening ended with “The Impossible Dream” from Man of La Mancha, a grande finale led by Trevor Haumschilt-Rocha and the Ensemble…..It was a beautiful ending to a beautiful evening….
Very special thanks to Lorraine and Robert Silvetz MD, Sharon Marantz Walsh, Nicota Hawkeye, Cherie Corso, Guiseppe Signorrini, Yvette C. Bender, Jane Thorngren, Ted Taylor, and of course David and Barbara Bender.
Photo Credits: Max Flores IG @maxfloress_official
