*Individual Tickets Available in May
Join us on June 23, 2026!
Our 2026 Kids 4 Harmony Summer Gala Concert is scheduled for June 23 from 5:00pm-8:00pm. Join us for a summer evening at Tanglewood, celebrating the accomplishments of young people in our Kids 4 Harmony program.
Every year, this special event brings together friends, family, and community to uplift and support the next generation of musicians. Proceeds from the event go directly to Kids 4 Harmony, a program of 18 Degrees, enabling free tuition and music education for young people in Berkshire County.
Last year, K4H graduates went on to continue their music education at Berklee College of Music, Berkshire Community College, Boston University, Howard University, Princeton, Westfield State, and more. This year, we welcome a new cohort of first and second-year students. This group has been discovering their sound, learning the discipline of daily practice and building the confidence that comes from performing together. They arrive with curiosity, courage, and big dreams. With your support, we can continue to provide students with exceptional music education, in an environment where they can be seen, heard, and valued.
Read our 2025 Gala Program Brochure to learn more about the program, our students, alumni, and staff!
Our 2026 Guest Artist
This year we welcome back Ted Rosenthal, internationally acclaimed pianist and composer and winner of the prestigious Thelonious Monk International Jazz Piano Competition, as our 2026 Guest Artist. A celebrated faculty member at Juilliard and the Manhattan School of Music, Ted is recognized not only for his award-winning career, but for his ability to build bridges across musical disciplines, inspiring students to take artistic risks and expand their musical imagination within the classical tradition. His past collaborations with K4H have been deeply meaningful, and we are honored to welcome him back for an experience that will uplift our students’ talents and accomplishments.
2026 Gala Honorees, Linda Glick Conway & Dorothy Altman Weber
Linda Conway and Dorothy “Dottie” Weber have been champions of Kids 4 Harmony since its earliest days. When the program first launched, it was a small, hopeful idea, far from the vibrant, multi‑site initiative it is today. Now, Kids 4 Harmony reaches students across four schools in Pittsfield and North Adams, regularly sees young musicians earn national and international opportunities, and performs an annual concert at Tanglewood.
Linda and Dottie's impact is woven into each initiative, each success, and each new chapter of Kids 4 Harmony. Along the way, they've offered thoughtful guidance, tireless support, and remarkable generosity, which has shaped the foundation of the Kids 4 Harmony, as we know it today. It is with deep gratitude that we recognize Linda and Dottie for their extraordinary contributions to this program and to the communities it serves.
*Individual Tickets Available in May
Join us on June 23, 2026!
Our 2026 Kids 4 Harmony Summer Gala Concert is scheduled for June 23 from 5:00pm-8:00pm. Join us for a summer evening at Tanglewood, celebrating the accomplishments of young people in our Kids 4 Harmony program.
Every year, this special event brings together friends, family, and community to uplift and support the next generation of musicians. Proceeds from the event go directly to Kids 4 Harmony, a program of 18 Degrees, enabling free tuition and music education for young people in Berkshire County.
Last year, K4H graduates went on to continue their music education at Berklee College of Music, Berkshire Community College, Boston University, Howard University, Princeton, Westfield State, and more. This year, we welcome a new cohort of first and second-year students. This group has been discovering their sound, learning the discipline of daily practice and building the confidence that comes from performing together. They arrive with curiosity, courage, and big dreams. With your support, we can continue to provide students with exceptional music education, in an environment where they can be seen, heard, and valued.
Read our 2025 Gala Program Brochure to learn more about the program, our students, alumni, and staff!
Our 2026 Guest Artist
This year we welcome back Ted Rosenthal, internationally acclaimed pianist and composer and winner of the prestigious Thelonious Monk International Jazz Piano Competition, as our 2026 Guest Artist. A celebrated faculty member at Juilliard and the Manhattan School of Music, Ted is recognized not only for his award-winning career, but for his ability to build bridges across musical disciplines, inspiring students to take artistic risks and expand their musical imagination within the classical tradition. His past collaborations with K4H have been deeply meaningful, and we are honored to welcome him back for an experience that will uplift our students’ talents and accomplishments.
2026 Gala Honorees, Linda Glick Conway & Dorothy Altman Weber
Linda Conway and Dorothy “Dottie” Weber have been champions of Kids 4 Harmony since its earliest days. When the program first launched, it was a small, hopeful idea, far from the vibrant, multi‑site initiative it is today. Now, Kids 4 Harmony reaches students across four schools in Pittsfield and North Adams, regularly sees young musicians earn national and international opportunities, and performs an annual concert at Tanglewood.
Linda and Dottie's impact is woven into each initiative, each success, and each new chapter of Kids 4 Harmony. Along the way, they've offered thoughtful guidance, tireless support, and remarkable generosity, which has shaped the foundation of the Kids 4 Harmony, as we know it today. It is with deep gratitude that we recognize Linda and Dottie for their extraordinary contributions to this program and to the communities it serves.
2025 Gala Slideshow
Thank You to Our 2026 Sponsors!
Presenting Sponsor
Phil and Kathy McKnight
Lead Sponsor
Gilson Family Foundation
Concertmaster
The Gru Fund
Virtuoso
Marilyn G. Harwell Fund of the Community Foundation of Sarasota County, Inc.
Linda G. Conway | Susan and Edward Kopelowitz | Rebecca and Michael Thompson
Dr. Dorothy Altman Weber in memory of Stephen Weber
Principal
Joan and Jim Hunter | Maureen and Henry Lee | Jane and Robert J. Mayer, M.D. | Nancy J. McIntire
Leader
Ann Appelbaum and Neal Borovitz | Joan Dix Blair | Liz and Tom Costley | George and Ginger Elvin
Kristen Johanson and Tom Green | Mela and Paul Haklisch | Sheila Heffernon and Bill Hattendorf | Goldy Fried and Av Kadish
Jacqueline and Jaan Metsma | Dr. Carolyn Newberger, in memory of Eli Newberger
Karen Richards | Doris Stark | Ken Stark | Nancy Stark and Stanley Iezman
Sharyn Zunz
Sponsor
Glenn Allan | Diane M. Austin and Aaron J. Nurick | Anne and Philip Becker
Deborah Buccino and Eric Plakun | Mary Jo Carpenter
C. Jeffrey and Judith Cook | James Cooke and Lisa Crockett | Roz Forman and Dolores Lerman
Ruth Lynn Frommer and Ken Amron | Susan W. Gold | Harold Grinspoon and Diane Troderman
Sherwood Guernsey | Pat Krol and Steve Chiumenti | Carol Kuller | Bob Lee
Eugene Leibowitz, M.D. | Jock and Jean McClellan | Suzanne F. Nash
Julie R. Quain in memory of Mildred Quain
Laura Rosenthal and Jim Himel | Loretta Scheel and Robert Bujalski | Stephanie Steed | Neil Stein and Judith Blank
Alexandra Warshaw | Malvina Wasserman | Matthew Winter and Jane Lehman
Robert and Karen Youdelman
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 2026 Gala Committee:
Co-Chairs: Nancy J. McIntire & Julie R. Quian
Members: Ed Bride*, Sheila Heffernon*, Linda Conway*, Gretchen Renell Court, Karen Richards, Laura Rosenthal, Carole Siegel*, Ken Stark*, Dorothy Weber*
*Indicates Kids 4 Harmony Advisory Committee
Questions?
Please contact Andrew Davis, Director of Development, (413) 448-8281 ext. 236
18 Degrees Inc. is a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. Tax ID 04-2226238.