About This Year's Event
Thank you for joining us on June 24th!
Our 2025 Kids 4 Harmony Summer Gala Concert was a joyful celebration—and a huge success—thanks to our Gala Benefactors, donors, and supporters, like you! Read our 2025 Gala Program Brochure to learn more about the program, our students, alumni, and staff!
CLICK HERE TO JOIN THE $20,000 MATCH CHALLENGE FOR KIDS 4 HARMONY!
Thanks to the Gilson Family Foundation and Edward and Susan Kopelowitz, who have generously put forth a $20,000 matching challenge, you can double your impact between now and July 31st to support the next generation of Kids 4 Harmony.
We raised the first half at the Gala. You can unlock another $10,000 with your contribution today.
Pledges are welcome to maximize your capacity to give. Email or call with any questions.
Check back again soon to see this year's photo slideshow and a recording of the performance.
It was a warm and heartfelt evening celebrating our largest graduating class—many with us since the program’s early days—plus a moving tribute to Ed Bride with a video of our North Adams Beginner's. Seniors gave a surprise performance at the reception and shared their post-high school plans.
The concert featured an original composition by senior Davis Albayeros and piano accompaniment by senior Zoë-Ruth Brizan—examples of the multifaceted talents of our students. We were also thrilled to welcome Boston-based cellist Francesca McNeeley in performing Haydn's Cello Concerto No. 1 with our Elayne P. Bernstein Ensemble.
Kids 4 Harmony is nurturing the next generation of musicians and leaders—we couldn’t do it without you.
THANK YOU!!
Congratulations to our Seniors!
Andrew, Violin: Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute
Atlas, Violin: St. Michael's College
Bella, Cello: Applying for college entry in Spring ‘26
Davis, Violin: Boston Conservatory at Berklee, Violin Performance
Gina, Cello: Boston University, Cello Performance
Jason, Cello: University of Rochester
Jenny, Violin: Berkshire Community College, Music Education
Lisa, Violin: Princeton University
Mady, Viola: Westfield State, Music Education
Zoë-Ruth, Cello & Piano: Howard University, Piano Performance
Our 2025 Guest Artist
This year we welcome guest artist and Haitian-American cellist Francesca McNeeley to join Kids 4 Harmony on stage. Francesca enjoys an eclectic career in the Boston area as a chamber musician, orchestral player, and modern music advocate. She is a member of the A Far Cry chamber orchestra, Castle of Our Skins, and has performed and toured as a substitute cellist with the Boston Symphony and Boston Pops Orchestras.
2025 Gala Honoree, Ed Bride
Ed Bride has been a longtime member of the Kids 4 Harmony Advisory Committee, past chair of the Gala Committee, and passionate supporter of the program. Many people know Ed as the president and founder of Berkshires Jazz, Inc., whose mission is to present jazz performances and encourage jazz education in Berkshire County. Through his influence, Kids 4 Harmony has been able to collaborate with jazz artists including Ted Rosenthal and Grace Kelly. We're so grateful to Ed for his years of service to 18 Degrees as a volunteer and donor, ensuring the lasting success of the Kids 4 Harmony program. Thank you, Ed, for all that you do to bring music to the Berkshires!
Our Annual Charitable Fundraising Event for Kids 4 Harmony
Each year, the Summer Gala Concert raises funds for the Kids 4 Harmony program, a youth development program of 18 Degrees. Want to learn more? Read last year's program here and see videos and photos from last year below.
About This Year's Event
Thank you for joining us on June 24th!
Our 2025 Kids 4 Harmony Summer Gala Concert was a joyful celebration—and a huge success—thanks to our Gala Benefactors, donors, and supporters, like you! Read our 2025 Gala Program Brochure to learn more about the program, our students, alumni, and staff!
CLICK HERE TO JOIN THE $20,000 MATCH CHALLENGE FOR KIDS 4 HARMONY!
Thanks to the Gilson Family Foundation and Edward and Susan Kopelowitz, who have generously put forth a $20,000 matching challenge, you can double your impact between now and July 31st to support the next generation of Kids 4 Harmony.
We raised the first half at the Gala. You can unlock another $10,000 with your contribution today.
Pledges are welcome to maximize your capacity to give. Email or call with any questions.
Check back again soon to see this year's photo slideshow and a recording of the performance.
It was a warm and heartfelt evening celebrating our largest graduating class—many with us since the program’s early days—plus a moving tribute to Ed Bride with a video of our North Adams Beginner's. Seniors gave a surprise performance at the reception and shared their post-high school plans.
The concert featured an original composition by senior Davis Albayeros and piano accompaniment by senior Zoë-Ruth Brizan—examples of the multifaceted talents of our students. We were also thrilled to welcome Boston-based cellist Francesca McNeeley in performing Haydn's Cello Concerto No. 1 with our Elayne P. Bernstein Ensemble.
Kids 4 Harmony is nurturing the next generation of musicians and leaders—we couldn’t do it without you.
THANK YOU!!
Congratulations to our Seniors!
Andrew, Violin: Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute
Atlas, Violin: St. Michael's College
Bella, Cello: Applying for college entry in Spring ‘26
Davis, Violin: Boston Conservatory at Berklee, Violin Performance
Gina, Cello: Boston University, Cello Performance
Jason, Cello: University of Rochester
Jenny, Violin: Berkshire Community College, Music Education
Lisa, Violin: Princeton University
Mady, Viola: Westfield State, Music Education
Zoë-Ruth, Cello & Piano: Howard University, Piano Performance
Our 2025 Guest Artist
This year we welcome guest artist and Haitian-American cellist Francesca McNeeley to join Kids 4 Harmony on stage. Francesca enjoys an eclectic career in the Boston area as a chamber musician, orchestral player, and modern music advocate. She is a member of the A Far Cry chamber orchestra, Castle of Our Skins, and has performed and toured as a substitute cellist with the Boston Symphony and Boston Pops Orchestras.
2025 Gala Honoree, Ed Bride
Ed Bride has been a longtime member of the Kids 4 Harmony Advisory Committee, past chair of the Gala Committee, and passionate supporter of the program. Many people know Ed as the president and founder of Berkshires Jazz, Inc., whose mission is to present jazz performances and encourage jazz education in Berkshire County. Through his influence, Kids 4 Harmony has been able to collaborate with jazz artists including Ted Rosenthal and Grace Kelly. We're so grateful to Ed for his years of service to 18 Degrees as a volunteer and donor, ensuring the lasting success of the Kids 4 Harmony program. Thank you, Ed, for all that you do to bring music to the Berkshires!
Our Annual Charitable Fundraising Event for Kids 4 Harmony
Each year, the Summer Gala Concert raises funds for the Kids 4 Harmony program, a youth development program of 18 Degrees. Want to learn more? Read last year's program here and see videos and photos from last year below.
Thank You to Our 2025 Gala Benefactors
Lead Sponsor
Phil and Kathy McKnight
Concertmaster
Gilson Family Foundation | The Gru Fund
Virtuoso
Linda G. Conway | Cindy and Ollie Curme | Penny and Claudio Pincus | Carol and Irv Smokler | Rebecca and Mike Thompson
Dr. Dorothy Altman Weber, in memory of Stephen Weber
Principal
Joan and Jim Hunter | Jane and Robert J. Mayer, M.D. | Alan Strassler and Lorraine Martin-McNulty
Leader
Ann Appelbaum and Neal Borovitz | Linda J. L. Becker | Liz and Tom Costley | Werner and Karen Gundersheimer
Sheila Heffernon and Bill Hattendorf | Susan and Edward Kopelowitz | Susan and David Lombard
Jacqueline and Jaan Metsma | Karen Richards | Craig Smith, in memory of Virginia Stanton Smith
Doris Stark | Ken Stark | Nancy Stark and Stanley Iezman | Cheryl Zaccaro | Sharyn Zunz
Sponsor
Susan Abramowitz and Aaron Gurwitz | Addy Farm | Jean Adelson | Glenn Allan | Howard and Sue Arkans | Michael Beatty
Diana and Jeff Belair | Paul and Phyllis Berz | Ed and Marge Bride | Deborah Buccino and Eric Plankun | Jill Cancellieri
Mary Jo Carpenter | C. Jeffrey and Judith Cook | John and Diddy Cullinane | Peter and Pamela D'Ambrosio
Joy and Chet Douglass | Heather Dunhill and Ted Meekma | Ginger and George Elvin | Gintare S. Everett | Peter Finn, in memory of Nancy Finn
Ruth Lynn Frommer and Ken Amron | Gideon Argov and Alexandra Fuchs | Marilyn Gerhard | Susan Gold | Harold Grinspoon and Diane Troderman
Allie and Zach Gundler | Mela and Paul Haklisch | David and Lynne Harding | Nancy Hechinger | Ann and Peter Herbst | Sarah Horowitz
Allen and Valerie Hyman | Pamela J. Johnson | Goldy Fried and Av Kadish | Pat Krol and Steve Chiumenti | Eugene Leibowitz, M.D.
Susan Magazine | Stuart and Ellen Masters | Jean and Jock McClellan | Nancy J. McIntire | Suzanne F. Nash
Dr. Carolyn Newberger, in memory of Eli Newberger | Bruno and Mary Ann Quinson | David and Heather Rasche | Lori and Joe Rose
Laura Rosenthal and Jim Himel | Hunter Kerr Runnette and Mark Vanden Bosch | Loretta Scheel and Robert Bujalski | Donald and Arlene Shapiro
Scott and Marjorie Shreve | Stephanie Steed | Renata Von Tscharner and Peter Munkenbeck | Diana Wall | Alexandra Warshaw
Terry and Art Wasser | Malvina Wasserman | Thomas and Suky Werman | Harriet Wetstone | Anne Wichman | Robert and Karen Youdelman
2024 Gala Photo Gallery
Kids 4 Harmony is a Program of 18 Degrees
About Kids 4 Harmony
Kids 4 Harmony, a program of 18 Degrees, provides ensemble-based string instruction with a focus on musical excellence, student well-being and development, and family support. Kids 4 Harmony is provided to families in Pittsfield and North Adams at no cost to them, thanks to the generosity of our donors. To become a supporter, visit 18degreesma.org or use the Make a Donation button at the top of this page.
Our 2025 Gala Committee:
Co-Chairs: Mary Spina and Gretchen Rennell Court
Members: Ed Bride*, Linda Conway*, Heather Dunhill, Susan Magazine, Karen Richards, Carole Siegel*, Ken Stark*, Dottie Weber*
*Indicates also Kids 4 Harmony Advisory Committee
Questions?
Please contact Aimee Annicharico, Director of Development, (413) 448-8281 ext. 236
18 Degrees Inc. is a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. Tax ID 04-2226238.