Lisa Green reports from Great Barrington. Several anniversaries were noted at the Berkshire Music School’s wine-pairing dinner at Café Adam on Thursday, May 15: the school’s 75th and Tracy Wilson’s 10th as executive director (Tracy, at left, flanked by realtor Nancy Kalodner and Malinka Johnson). But the school’s trustees, faculty, former students and others really were there to support the scholarship program offered by the community’s cherished institution. It’s unlikely there’s ever been such a low-key live auction; once the call was opened for bids funding scholarships for music lessons, hands raised and guests freely gave with very little prompting. The school, which gives out about $16,000 in scholarships each year, is clearly beloved. Many attendees remarked how all of their children — or they themselves — had been through its programs, and more than a few scholarship students have gone on to professional careers in music.
Paul Finnety, Board President Kate Barton, who was co-chair of the event committee, Anne Mercure, a former board president, and Sam Craig; BMS staffers Kathy Manship and Sandy Moderski were the first to greet guests.
Hannah Cohen, who was a violin student at the school, with her grandmother, Sue Cohen; The Talbott-Suters Trio provided music for the cocktail hour.
Lisa Loring and Curtis Brasseur of Richmond; Ellen Weiden and Laura Rosenthal, devoted students of the adult cabaret class.
Jazz and cabaret singer Sherri James Buxton, who directs the popular cabaret workshops, with bassist Roger Souters; Maureen and Bob Monteleone, whose children have been students at BMS.
Lenore Sundberg, and Linda Russell; Clarinetist Paul Green with Sue and Arnold Cohen.
Sylwia Orczykowska and Chef Adam Zieminski of Cafe Adam; Ken Green, a member of the board of trustees and owner of Museum Facsimiles, and Tracy Wilson run the live auction.
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Matteline deVries-Dilling, founder of Lite Brite Neon, one of the evening's honoree of this year's Upstate Benefit adresses the gala from the Caboose's caboose.
- Karen Pearson. Courtesy Art Omi.
Olana senior vice president and landscape curatorMark Prezorski, president Sean Sawyer, The evenings honoree Kristin Gamble and New York State Assemblymember Didi Barrett.
- Oxygen House Photo
