NEW YORK, NY – May 19, 2026 — The atmosphere inside Manhattan’s iconic 583 Park Avenue was nothing short of extraordinary as Education Through Music (ETM) celebrated its landmark 35th Anniversary with the unforgettable 2026 Education Through Music Gala: Making Minds Sing! The dazzling evening united influential leaders from the music industry, philanthropy, business, and education for a shared purpose: expanding access to transformative music education for students across New York City’s underserved public schools.
From the moment guests entered the venue, the energy was palpable. The electrifying rhythms of the Mount St. Ursula Bucket Drummers welcomed attendees into a night dedicated to creativity, opportunity, and the life-changing impact of the arts. Guiding the evening as Master of Ceremonies was Xavier “X” Jernigan, the acclaimed AI DJ, official Voice of Spotify, and celebrated Lincoln Center Hip-Hop curator, whose charisma and passion elevated the celebration throughout the night.
A Landmark Celebration of Music, Education, and Impact
The gala served as both a celebration of ETM’s remarkable legacy and a powerful reminder of the urgent need for equitable arts education. Under the leadership of CEO Dr. Janice Weinman, now in her fourth year guiding the organization, ETM continues to redefine access to music education for New York City youth. Today, the organization delivers music as a core academic subject to more than 18,000 underserved K-12 students across 51 public schools.
Addressing the audience, Dr. Weinman reflected on the measurable and deeply personal impact ETM has had over the past three and a half decades.
“External evaluations show an increase in our students’ social and emotional development, their attendance, in their discipline and focus on learning that transfers to the other subjects they learn and therefore result in significant increases from year to year in their academic performance,” said Dr. Weinman. “But, by far the greatest impact we have is on the independence they gain, the pride they feel, and the joy they receive from participation in learning about music.”
The evening also featured an official New York City Council proclamation recognizing ETM’s longstanding contribution to education and youth development. Board Co-Chairs Heidi Stamas and Rob Weisstuch further underscored the organization’s extraordinary reach, noting that ETM has delivered more than 8 million hours of music instruction to over 300,000 students since its founding in 1991.
An Evening Fueled by Passion, Philanthropy, and Powerful Performances
One of the night’s most exciting moments arrived during the highly anticipated live auction and paddle raise, led by renowned auctioneer Pat Tulley. Guests enthusiastically competed for exclusive experiences and coveted concert tickets, including sought-after performances from global superstar Ariana Grande and breakout sensation Noah Kahan. The spirited bidding directly supported ETM’s ambitious mission to expand music programs throughout New York City schools.
Yet the true emotional center of the evening belonged to the students themselves.
Following a moving ETM mission video presentation, the P.S. 206 ETM Student Choir delivered a heartfelt performance that captivated the room and earned an immediate standing ovation. Their performance embodied the very reason ETM’s work continues to resonate so deeply throughout the city.
Later in the evening, introduced by Fat Beats President Chris Atlas, the Mount St. Ursula Rock Band, led by former ETM Teacher of the Year Alfredo Hernandez, ignited the stage with a thrilling three-song rock set that showcased remarkable talent, confidence, and artistry.
The night reached a spectacular musical climax with an exclusive performance from critically acclaimed Republic Records R&B trio FLO. Their dynamic set brought the audience to its feet and added yet another unforgettable highlight to an already remarkable evening.
Honoring Visionaries Driving Change Through Music and Community Leadership
Throughout the gala, ETM recognized three exceptional leaders whose professional achievements and philanthropic commitment continue to inspire lasting impact.
Jim Roppo Honored for Championing Music Education
Jim Roppo, Chairman & CEO of Republic Records, received one of the evening’s highest honors. Introduced by Live Nation Merchandise CFO and ETM Board Member Joe Borrino, Roppo was celebrated for his visionary leadership within the modern music industry and his passionate advocacy for youth education.
In an extraordinary act of generosity, Roppo personally committed to raising $500,000 for ETM through the gala and ultimately surpassed that ambitious goal.
“Music brings a lot of essential skills in the workplace: creative collaboration, discipline, practice, creative thinking, are all vital to success in any career I think today,” said Roppo. “And this program helps build those skills for young people at an early developmental age that’s critical to their future success.”
He continued:
“Many children in New York public schools do not have access to music education, and the work of Education Through Music is vital to providing the resources in the classroom to bring that opportunity to hundreds or thousands of children across New York City schools.”
Peter Rosenthal Celebrated for Commitment to NYC Youth
Peter Rosenthal, Co-President of Rosenthal Capital Group, was recognized for his unwavering support of educational initiatives benefiting New York City students. Introduced by Heidi Stamas, Rosenthal shared a memorable story from a classroom visit at P.S. 206 that perfectly captured the spirit of ETM’s programs.
“One particularly observant young girl in the class that day turned to me and commented, ‘You’re not normally a soprano, are you?’” Rosenthal joked. “Well, I may not be able to sing, but I can spot a worthy cause when I see one.”
He added:
“Every child deserves that same chance to discover their own creativity, confidence, and voice through music, regardless of their circumstances. This is the opportunity that ETM provides.”
Deborah Romano Recognized for Leadership and Community Impact
Deborah Romano, Executive Managing Director at JLL Project & Development Services, was also honored for her steadfast leadership and dedication to strengthening communities through educational investment.
Introduced by ETM Board Member Gabe Hernandez, Romano spoke passionately about the long-term value of arts education after witnessing ETM’s work firsthand.
“Education Through Music does important work connecting young people with arts education and the creative skills that stay with them throughout their lives,” Romano stated. “The skills students gain through music education, including discipline, collaboration, and creative problem-solving, extend far beyond the classroom.”
She continued:
“I had the opportunity to visit one of the classrooms, and that experience was invaluable. Seeing the program in action brings the mission to life in a way nothing else can.”
Surpassing Goals and Creating Brighter Futures
As the evening came to a close, Xavier “X” Jernigan returned to the stage with the announcement everyone had been waiting for: the gala had officially exceeded its fundraising goals.
The overwhelming support from attendees, sponsors, performers, and honorees ensures that ETM can continue expanding its reach, providing students throughout New York City with access to instruments, expert educators, and comprehensive music programs that nurture creativity, confidence, and academic achievement.
The 2026 “Making Minds Sing!” Gala was far more than a fundraiser. It was a celebration of possibility, proof of the transformative power of music, and a powerful demonstration of what can happen when a community unites to invest in the next generation.
About Education Through Music
Education Through Music (ETM) partners with under-resourced schools to provide comprehensive and sustainable music education as a core subject for every child. Through high-quality curricula, teacher training, and school-wide integration of the arts, ETM supports academic achievement while fostering social-emotional growth, creativity, and confidence in students throughout New York City.