On March 3, 2025 , Judith Pisar, Gala Chair for Young Concert Artists, opened her art-filled duplex to celebrate the Benefit Committee for their upcoming 64th annual event on April 17 honoring Clive Gillinson, saying,
“I have been a friend of the organization for 60 years. I have stood next to the founder, Susan Wadsworth, for all these years. It’s an emotional commitment. Every YCA gathering is special to me. But this one, this year, this upcoming Gala feels all the more important. As the world becomes impossibly turbulent, it is a time for us to stand together and support the future of our youth.”
“YCA’s work is only possible because of our devoted supporters,”
said YCA President, Daniel Kellogg, “and it’s thanks to so many of you in this room that we are going to have a wonderful and festive gala. I want to especially acknowledge YCA founder Susan Wadsworth, without whom none of this would be possible.”
Sir Clive Gillinson, the Gala honoree and the much loved Executive and Artistic Director of Carnegie Hall, added,
“There are so many different ways to help young musicians, but YCA is one of the most important. They nurture the finest talent who are going to be the people who inspire others throughout their lifetimes.” On behalf of YCA Board Chair Paul Sekhri, his husband, Mark Gude, shared “We are so delighted to honor you (Clive) at our gala. You are a hero in the arts, and the impact you’ve had on the world and young artists is tremendous.”
Guests gathered around Pisar’s grand piano for performances by YCA alumnus, cellist Zlatomir Fung and YCA pianist Chaeyoung Park.
Fung, a winner of the 2017 YCA International Auditions, went on to win First Prize at the International Tchaikovsky Competition’s Cello Division in 2019—as the youngest artist ever to do so—when Clive Gillinson chaired the jury. 2024-2025 marks Fung’s first season on the cello faculty at his alma mater, The Juilliard School.
Guests included YCA Board Members Beatrice Francais, Marlene Herring, Karen Lindquist, Joanna Ostrem, Judith Pisar, Mitchell Sikora, and Ratna Subrahmanyam. Also, special guests Ronald and Anne Abramson, Anya and Clive Gillinson, Mark Gude, Lisa and Andrew Hawkins, LaVon Kellner and Tom Roush, William Little, Galina Novikova, Liane Pei, Stanley Shuman, Sarah Billinghurst Solomon, Susan Wadsworth, and Lauren Walsh.
Young Concert Artists has provided career support to emerging musicians since its founding in 1961. The organization offers comprehensive artist management, debut concerts, and performance opportunities to exceptional young artists, helping them establish successful careers in classical music. YCA’s 64th Annual Gala is on April 17 at Jazz at Lincoln Center and features performances by Emanuel Ax and other esteemed YCA alumni and current artists.
Click here for additional information
