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THE EVENT
Inclusivity . Accessibility . Arts for All
BENEFFITING:
MISSION STATEMENT
Church Street School for Music & Art (CSSMA) is a unique nonprofit community school for the arts located in Lower Manhattan. Since 1990, we have been dedicated to making high-quality arts programming accessible to a diverse range of students. We believe in the transformative and therapeutic power of the arts and specialize in facilitating each student’s connection to their authentic creative voice.
A NOTE FROM CHRISTINA PLACILLA, CSSMA EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
Welcome to our annual fundraiser THE EVENT! We are ecstatic to have you here with us celebrating Church Street School and helping to raise money in support of our unique haven for the arts that has been serving this community for 34 years. This year, we have made fostering accessibility and inclusivity in the arts our central mission. Creating creative spaces that are available and accommodating to ALL is a lifelong passion that is near to my heart both as the mother of a child with autism and as someone who has spent their career advocating for equal representation in the arts. However, it is not a goal that I or any of us at Church Street School can achieve without the support of our community. Below you will find a list of initiatives that we will be fundraising for during the 'Raise the Paddle' portion of the evening. Please take a look and show your support for inclusivity and accessibility at Church Street School for Music & Art by lifting your paddle and helping us reach our EVENT goal of [...] raised by the end of the evening.
Sincerely,
Dr. Christina Placilla
Executive Director,
Church Street School for Music & Art
2024 RAISE THE PADDLE LEVELS!
Learn more about the programs, initiatives, & events supported by THE EVENT.
$5,000 LEVEL ~ ARTS FOR ALL
Student Scholarships, a Key Part of Access to the Arts for All!
In-School Programs that Bring Church Street School’s Music & Art Enrichment Classes
and Events to Institutions Across NYC.
Free Adult and Senior Chorus Programs.
$1,000 LEVEL ~ INCLUSIVITY
One 72 Teen Program Event (There are 12 Per Year)!
A Community Concert Featuring Church Street School’s Faculty.
A Free Open Concert Series in Downtown NYC.
$2,500 LEVEL ~ ACCESSIBILITY
One Year of Funding for Any of Church Street School’s Student Ensembles.
CSSMA’s Bi-Annual Recital Seasons, One of our Key Community Building Events!
Piano Tuning and Instrument Maintenance.
DONATIONS AT ANY LEVEL SUPPORT:
Snacks for Church Street School’s After School Program.
Upkeep for our Water Filtration System.
One Sponsored Music Therapy Session for a Family with Demonstrated Need.
Special Community Events and Workshops at Church Street School.
Musical Accompaniment for One Free Senior or Adult Chorus.
& So Much More!
Get Your Paddles Ready! Raise the Paddle & The Live Auction Will Begin at 8:15pm.
PROGRAM FOR THE EVENING
7:00 PM
Check -In, Welcome, Opening Performances, & Hors D'oeuvres
PERFORMERS:
Tribeca Jazz Institute Jazz Ensemble:
Ravi Campbell, Tomas Martinez, Teo Perez, Brandon Suarez, & Caleb Tobachman
Abagael Cheng
SPEAKERS:
Abby Levin - Church Street School Development Director
Chris Marte - District 1 Council Member
8:00 PM
Honoree Presentations
PERFORMERS:
Thandness Palmer & the Tribeca Jazz Institute Jazz Ensemble:
Ravi Campbell, Tomas Martinez, Teo Perez, Brandon Suarez, & Caleb Tobachman
SPEAKERS:
Rob Elder - Chair of the Board, Church Street School for Music & Art
Cathleen E. Mclaughlin - EVENT 24 Honoree, Board Member, Parent, & Supporter
Johanna Kopp - EVENT 24 Honoree & CSSMA Faculty Memeber
8:15 PM
Raise the Paddle & Live Auction
SPEAKERS:
Dr. Lisa Ecklund - Flores - CSSMA Co-Fouonder and Former Executive Director
Dr. Christina Placilla - CSSMA Executive Director
Lucas Hunt - Auctioneer, Hunt Auctioneers
Abby Levin - Church Street School Development Director
9:00 PM
Live Music, Dancing, & Silent Auciton
PERFORMERS:
The Event Party Band:
Kevin Bernstein, Kevin Hailey, Noah Lexi, Abby Payne, & Kenneth Shaw
MEET OUR EVENT 2024 HONOREES
Cathleen E. McLaughlin
CSSMA Board Member, Parent, Student, & Supporter
Cathleen has been a part of the Church Street School community for over 16 years. In that time she has worn many hats as a parent, Board Member, student, and supporter. Her Church Street School journey began when she was looking for a music program for her child Abagael and her nephew Cail. Immediately drawn to the warm, open, and creative learning environment CSSMA provided, she enrolled both children and has been part of the school in one way or another ever since.
Cathleen was a vital benefactor during the move from Warren Street to White Street and has provided invaluable counsel time and time again in her role as Finance Committee Chair on the CSSMA Board of Directors. Additionally, to this
day, both she and her son Nate attend weekly private instrumental music lessons with CSSMA Faulty Members Liz Asti and Johanna Kopp.
A graduate of the University of Pennsylvania and the University of Pennsylvania Carey Law School. Cathleen was a Partner at the law firm Paul Hastings for many years. She recently retired in 2023.
Johanna Kopp
CSSMA Faculty Member for Nearly 20 Years
Johanna has spent nearly 20 years at Church Street School working tirelessly to bring out the best in her students and helping them become confident musicians. Born in Switzerland, the lifelong lover of music, art and all things creative, came to CSSMA after meeting CSSMA Co-Founder Dr. Lisa Ecklund-Flores at a talk lisa was giving at the then new NYC Dalcroze chapter.
Johanna received her B.M. in Primary Education from the University of Zürich, Switzerland, and her M.M. in Piano, Choral Conducting and Music Education from the Musikhochschule in Muenster, Germany. While teaching piano, rhythm, and theory at the Musikakademie in Basel, Switzerland, Johanna studied Acting &
Cabaret at Intermedia Studio Basel, and African Drumming and Dancing in Basel and Paris. After moving to New York City, she studied composition and jazz with Kirk Nurock, and received her certificate in Dalcroze from Carnegie Mellon University in Pittsburgh. In addition to Church Street School, Johanna teaches at the Mannes College of Music, the Lucy Moses School, and at the Musikakademie in Basel during the summers.
THE EVENT SILENT AUCTION CLOSES AT 10PM
From VIP concert tickets to original art, ballroom dancing lessons, hotel stays,
and dining experiences, this year's auction has something incredible for everyone to get excited about.
All proceeds from THE EVENT silent auction support initiatives, programs, and events at
Church Street School that promote accessiblity and inclusivity in the arts for all.
PERFORMER BIOS
Kevin Bernstein is a Queens based keyboardist who is garnering attention for his soulful harmonies, commanding technique, and catchy songwriting. Kevin lends his keyboard skills to a variety of singers, bands, producers, and comedians in many different genres. Kevin has performed at venues in NY such as Irving Plaza, SOB’s, the Bell House, 54 Below, and has toured extensively in the US. He currently freelances as a keyboardist, but plays regularly in the Alison Shearer Band and Slow Riches, as well as his own solo project: K-Magic.
Hailing from Ventura, California, Kevin began taking piano lessons at 8 years old and within a few years, became inspired to write music and learn as much as he could. Fast Forward to 2010, He moved to NYC to study Jazz at the Manhattan School of Music. Kevin has been a beloved member of the CSSMA Faculty since 2016.
Ravi Campbell is an emerging talent in the jazz scene, particularly known for his work as a guitarist. Based in New York City, he has established a reputation for his unique approach, blending elements of Brazilian music and rock music into his work. His style is noted for its melodic focus, bringing a fresh perspective to standards as well as his own original compositions.
Campbell has performed with a range of talented musicians both locally and internationally. His performances have showcased his ability to draw from various musical influences, creating a dynamic and engaging experience for his audience.
