Broadway, Opera and Classical Talent Shine at Manhattan School of Music Gala

A Celebration of Mentorship at the Rainbow Room

Manhattan School of Music hosted its 2026 Gala at the Rainbow Room in New York City, honoring MSM Board Chair Lorraine Gallard and celebrating the school’s acclaimed faculty under the evening’s theme, “A Tradition of Mentorship.”

Hosted by Bebe Neuwirth, a Manhattan School of Music trustee, member of the school’s Artistic Advisory Council and recipient of an honorary Doctor of Musical Arts degree from MSM, the evening brought together Broadway, opera and classical talent for a celebration of music education, artistic excellence and mentorship.

Honoring Lorraine Gallard’s Leadership

The gala recognized Lorraine Gallard, an alumna of MSM’s Precollege Division, for her 12 years of dedicated service as board chair. Gallard joined MSM’s Board of Trustees in 2009 and was elected chair in 2014, helping guide the school through a significant period of growth and distinction.

Her leadership has supported MSM’s continued evolution as one of the world’s leading conservatories, known for preparing young artists for careers across classical music, jazz, vocal arts, musical theater and beyond.

A Program Filled with Music and Meaning

The evening opened with remarks by Neuwirth and featured performances by current students and alumni, reflecting the full range of talent nurtured at MSM.

Ethan Mathias, a member of the Precollege Class of 2026, performed “Go the Distance” from Hercules. Meredith Layne Hungerford, a Bachelor of Music candidate in musical theater, performed “Before the Parade Passes By” from Hello, Dolly!, accompanied by Shane Schag on piano.

Following remarks from MSM President James Gandre, Benjamin R. Sokol, a triple alumnus of MSM, performed “La calunnia è un venticello” from Rossini’s The Barber of Seville, also accompanied by Schag.

Celebrating MSM Faculty and the Power of Mentorship

A video tribute titled “Celebrating MSM Faculty: A Tradition of Mentorship” led into the honoree presentation. David Loud, music director of MSM’s Musical Theatre program and a member of the musical theater faculty, delivered opening remarks.

Gandre and Noémi K. Neidorff, a member of the Board of Trustees and double MSM alumna, continued the tribute before Gallard addressed guests. The program highlighted the vital role of MSM faculty, whose mentorship helps shape students into artists prepared for the world’s leading stages.

A Star Performance by J’Nai Bridges

The evening continued with a performance by three-time Grammy Award winner J’Nai Bridges, an MSM alumna and honorary doctorate recipient. Bridges performed “L’amour est un oiseau rebelle” from Carmen and “You’ll Never Walk Alone” from Carousel, with Shane Schag at the piano.

Her performance brought together operatic brilliance and theatrical emotion, underscoring the breadth of artistry represented throughout the evening.

A Gathering of the MSM Community

The 2026 gala brought together members of the MSM community, trustees, alumni, faculty, students and supporters for an evening that underscored the school’s enduring role in New York’s cultural life.

Founded in 1918, Manhattan School of Music is recognized for its more than 1,000 undergraduate and graduate students from more than 50 countries and nearly all 50 states, its innovative curricula and its artist-teacher faculty drawn from the New York Philharmonic, the Met Opera Orchestra, jazz, Broadway and other leading musical communities.

The evening concluded with farewell remarks from Gandre and a renewed celebration of the transformative power of music education.

Notable Attendees

Notable attendees included J’Nai Bridges, three-time Grammy Award winner and MSM alumna; Ted Chapin, former President of the Rodgers and Hammerstein Organization; Jane Chu, former Chair of the National Endowment for the Arts; Lorraine Gallard, MSM Board Chair and Gala honoree; James Gandre, MSM President; Howard Herring, President and CEO of New World Symphony and MSM alumnus; Meredith Layne Hungerford, current MSM Musical Theatre student; David Loud, Music Director of MSM Musical Theatre; Ethan Mathias, MSM Precollege alumnus; Anthony Mazzocchi, President and CEO of Kaufman Music Center and double MSM alumnus; Donna McKechnie, Tony Award winner and Broadway legend; Alicia Hall Moran, mezzo-soprano, composer and MSM alumna; Jason Moran, jazz pianist, composer, visual artist and MSM alumnus; Bebe Neuwirth, multiple Tony and Emmy Award winner and event host; Noémi K. Neidorff, MSM double alumna and trustee; James Roe, President and Executive Director of Orchestra of St. Luke’s; Shane Schag, MSM Artistic Staff member and pianist; Robert Sirota, former MSM President and composer; Benjamin R. Sokol, baritone and MSM alumnus; Paul Tetreault, Director of Ford’s Theatre; and Ann Ziff, Met Opera Chairman of the Board.

About Manhattan School of Music

Founded as a community music school by Janet Daniels Schenck in 1918, Manhattan School of Music is recognized today for its more than 1,000 superbly talented undergraduate and graduate students from more than 50 countries and nearly all 50 states.

The school is known for its innovative curricula and world-renowned artist-teacher faculty, which includes musicians from the New York Philharmonic, the Met Opera Orchestra, and the top ranks of the jazz and Broadway communities. MSM also has a distinguished community of accomplished, award-winning alumni working at the highest levels of the musical, educational, cultural and professional worlds.

The school is dedicated to the personal, artistic and intellectual development of aspiring musicians, from Precollege students through those pursuing doctoral studies. Offering classical, jazz and musical theater training, MSM grants a range of undergraduate and graduate degrees.

True to MSM’s origins as a music school for children, the Precollege program continues to offer superior music instruction to 525 young musicians between the ages of 8 and 18. The school also serves approximately 6,000 New York City schoolchildren through its Arts-in-Education Program and another 2,000 students through its critically acclaimed Distance Learning Program.

For more information on Manhattan School of Music, its history and its curriculum, visit www.msmnyc.edu.