Education Through Music gala raises record funds for NYC schools

By AI, Created 7:05 PM UTC, May 19, 2026, /AGP/ – Education Through Music’s 2026 gala in New York City topped its fundraising goals on May 19, helping expand music education in 51 under-resourced public schools. The event marked ETM’s 35th anniversary with student performances, major auction items and honors for three business leaders.

Why it matters: - The gala’s record fundraising will help Education Through Music add instruments, teachers and music programs in New York City public schools that lack resources. - ETM says music education supports attendance, discipline, focus, social-emotional growth and academic performance. - The event highlighted how arts access can reach more than 18,000 underserved K-12 students across the city.

What happened: - Education Through Music held its annual flagship gala, “Making Minds Sing!,” on May 19, 2026, at 583 Park Avenue in New York City. - The event marked ETM’s 35th anniversary and raised money for music education across 51 under-resourced New York City public schools. - Xavier “X” Jernigan served as master of ceremonies. - The Mount St. Ursula Bucket Drummers welcomed guests at the start of the evening. - The gala featured student performances, an exclusive set from R&B trio FLO, and awards for Jim Roppo, Peter Rosenthal and Deborah Romano.

The details: - ETM CEO Dr. Janice Weinman said the organization is in its fourth year under her leadership and serves more than 18,000 underserved K-12 students with music as a core academic subject. - Weinman said external evaluations show gains in students’ social and emotional development, attendance, discipline, focus and academic performance. - Board Co-Chairs Heidi Stamas and Rob Weisstuch said ETM has delivered more than 8 million hours of instruction to 300,000 students since 1991. - The gala included an official City Council proclamation recognizing ETM’s work. - Auctioneer Pat Tulley led a live auction and paddle raise. - Bidders competed for sold-out summer tickets to Ariana Grande at Barclays Center and Noah Kahan. - The “Fund-A-Need” paddle raise supported the gala’s fundraising total. - The P.S. 206 ETM Student Choir performed after an ETM mission video and received a standing ovation. - The Mount St. Ursula Rock Band, directed by former ETM Teacher of the Year Alfredo Hernandez, performed a three-song set. - FLO delivered the evening’s final performance. - Jim Roppo, chairman and CEO of Republic Records, pledged to raise $500,000 for ETM and exceeded that goal. - Peter Rosenthal, co-president of Rosenthal Capital Group, was recognized for his support of New York youth. - Deborah Romano, executive managing director of JLL Project & Development Services, was honored for her support of ETM and arts education.

Between the lines: - The honorees came from music, real estate and development, showing ETM’s broad base of support across industries. - The student performances were not just entertainment. They reinforced ETM’s message that arts education can build confidence, independence and classroom engagement. - The auction items and paddle raise signaled strong donor appetite for high-profile, mission-linked fundraising. - The gala framed music education as both an arts issue and a broader academic and workforce-development issue.

What’s next: - ETM plans to use the funds to expand its reach in New York City schools. - The organization says the support will help bring more instruments, teachers and sustained music instruction to additional students. - ETM will continue partnering with under-resourced schools to provide comprehensive music education as a core subject.

The bottom line: - ETM left its 35th-anniversary gala with more money and momentum to grow music education for New York City students.