Hosted by multiple Tony and Emmy Award-winner, MSM Trustee, and MSM Artistic Advisory Council member Bebe Neuwirth (HonDMA ’15), the evening honored Board Chair Lorraine Gallard (PC ’66), who is stepping down after 12 successful years of dedicated leadership. The event also celebrated the School’s deep tradition of mentorship and superb faculty of teaching artists.
Also taking center stage were a series of performances by talented MSM students and alumni: graduating Precollege student Ethan Mathias (PC ’26); Meredith Layne Hungerford (BM ’27), a current student in MSM’s Musical Theatre program; MSM alumna and three-time Grammy Award-winning mezzo-soprano J’Nai Bridges (BM ’09, HonDMA ’26); and alumnus and rising bass-baritone Benjamin R. Sokol (BM ’22, MM ’24, PS ’25).
Additional distinguished guests included MSM alumnus and MacArthur Fellow Jason Moran (BM ’97, HonDMA ’16), former Chair of the National Endowment for the Arts Jane Chu (HonDMA ’26); Broadway legend Donna McKechnie (HonDMA ’26); and Chair of the Metropolitan Opera Board of Trustees Ann Ziff (HonDMA ’24), among many others. MSM alumna and trustee Noémi K. Neidorff (BM ’70, MM ’72, HonDMA ’17) was the evening’s Platinum sponsor.
The annual gala is Manhattan School of Music’s most important fundraiser of the year, and this year the event raised more than $580,000.
We would like to express our sincere thanks to all who donated generously, and who took part in this very special evening saluting Lorraine Gallard for her extraordinary devotion to the School, while also showcasing the immense talent of our students and alumni and highlighting the dedicated faculty who nurtured them.
Click on arrow on right of photo to move to the next image:
The event was hosted by celebrated actress, singer, dancer, and multiple Tony- and Emmy-winner Bebe Neuwirth (HonDMA ’15), a member of the MSM Board of Trustees.
Ann Ziff (HonDMA ’24), Metropolitan Opera Chairman of the Board, poses with MSM Board Chair and Gala honoree Lorraine Gallard (PC ’66).
Mezzo-soprano, three-time Grammy Award-winner, MSM alumna and honorary doctorate recipient J'Nai Bridges (BM '09, HonDMA '26) performed “L’amour est un oiseau rebelle” from Carmen and “You’ll Never Walk Alone” from Carousel, with MSM Artistic Staff member Shane Schag (PS ’02) at the piano.
MSM Board Chair and Gala honoree Lorraine Gallard (PC ’66) and her husband Richard Levy.
MSM Board of Trustee member Noémi K. Neidorff (BM ’70, MM ’72, HonDMA ’17) and Tony Award-winner and Broadway legend Donna McKechnie (HonDMA ’26).
Graduating MSM Precollege student Ethan Mathias (PC '26) performed “Go the Distance” from Hercules at the Gala.
MSM Jazz Arts alumni: mezzo-soprano, composer, and MSM alumna Alicia Hall Moran (BM '00), poses with her husband jazz pianist, composer, visual artist, and MSM alumnus Jason Moran (BM '97, HonDMA '26). The spouses met while studying at MSM.
MSM Musical Theatre student Meredith Layne Hungerford (BM '27) with her teacher, Tony-nominated actor, singer, composer and MSM faculty member Bob Stillman. Meredith performed “Before the Parade Passes By” from Hello, Dolly! with Shane Schag (PS ’02) on piano.
From left to right: Bebe Neuwirth (HonDMA ’15), MSM Artistic Staff member and pianist Shane Shag (PS ’02), and Donna McKechnie (HonDMA ’26).
From left to right: Richard Levy and spouse MSM Board Chair and Gala honoree Lorraine Gallard (PC ’66); Episcopal priest, organist, and author Victoria Sirota and her husband, composer and former MSM President Robert Sirota.
MSM alumnus and bass-baritone Benjamin R. Sokol (BM ’22, MM ’24, PS ’25) performed at the event. Benjamin, who studies with MSM faculty member James Morris, sang “La calunnia è un venticello” from Rossini’s The Barber of Seville , accompanied by Shane Schag (PS ’02) on piano.
MSM Board of Trustee member (and the evening's Platinum Sponsor) Noémi K. Neidorff (BM ’70, MM ’72, HonDMA ’17) and MSM President James Gandre.
MSM President James Gandre.
Metropolitan Opera Chairman of the Board Ann Ziff (HonDMA ’24) takes a bow. Left: MSM faculty member and opera legend James Morris looks on.
130 Claremont Avenue New York, New York 10027 212-749-2802
* Fields marked with an asterisk are required
Email This Page
Email Message
Page Reference (will be sent in email)
https://www.msmnyc.edu/news/msm-gala-2026-celebrating-msm-at-the-rainbow-room/
This site uses cookies to improve user experience. By continuing, you agree to our updated policy. To find out more, visit our cookie & information use policy.