Ronald McDonald House Partnership

Objective: To create musical opportunities for the student residents of Ronald McDonald House New York

Total Fundraised: $500,000

Notable Achievement: Arranged student collaborations with a Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee, 8 Tony Award winners, and the original Broadway cast of Hairspray

Ronald McDonald House is a global non-profit that provides housing for pediatric cancer patients and their families. Residents at the organization’s New York City chapter are eligible to enroll in choir and band programs, as managed by The New York Pops.

The Ronald McDonald House programs culminate with the students performing alongside professional entertainers at Carnegie Hall. I have coordinated student collaborations with Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee Darlene Love, two-time Tony Award winner Michael Cerveris, Tony Award winner Lena Hall, Tony Award nominee Rob McClure, Ashley Brown (Broadway’s original Mary Poppins), and the original Broadway cast of Hairspray.

From 2009 to 2015, I helped to underwrite the Ronald McDonald House partnership by producing an annual fundraiser (event capacity: 125). On average, each concert raised $90,000 in a single evening. This performance series featured one-night-only appearances by artists including five-time Grammy Award nominee Michael Feinstein, Tony Award winner Kelli O’Hara, Tony Award winner Santino Fontana, Tony Award winner Stephanie J. Block, Tony Award winner Lillias White, and Tony Award nominee Laura Osnes.

Photo Credits for Rob McClure, Ashley Brown, Lena Hall, and students from the Ronald McDonald House New York: Richard Termine