ASCAP Foundation Executive Director Nicole-George Middleton, Desmond Child, philanthropist Adrienne Arsht, Stephen Schwartz. Photo By Juan Patino Photography
Hit songwriter Desmond Child (“Livin’ on a Prayer,” “La Vida Loca”) and Broadway legend Stephen Schwartz (Wicked, Prince of Egypt) hosted “An Intimate Evening of Music and Merriment” to raise funds for The ASCAP Foundation, a charitable organization dedicated to supporting music education programs for children, teens and emerging music creators. Guests joined Child, Schwartz and stage stars Maria Bilbao (Sweeney Todd), Ruben Flores (In The Heights, Blacklist) and singer-songwriter and jazz pianist Peter Cincotti for the party at the private home of Child and his partner Curtis on Fifth Avenue in New York City.
ASCAP CEO Elizabeth Matthews and ASCAP Foundation Executive Director Nicole George-Middletonwere on hand to welcome guests. The festive evening featured a set of lively performances by the piano, kicked off by Child with “Livin’ On A Prayer.” Schwartz sang “Corner of the Sky” and “For Good,” from his musicals Pippin and Wicked, respectively; Cincotti performed his “Killer on the Keys” and “Because It’s Christmas;” and from Child’s upcoming musical Cuba Libre, co-written with Davitt Sigerson, Bilbao delivered “Where Do I Go From You” and Flores sang “Yellow Lemon Dress.”
The ASCAP Foundation encourages the development of music creators through music education, talent development and humanitarian programs. In the past year alone, The ASCAP Foundation programs benefited more than 300,000 people, including 60,000 students from 700 schools.
About The ASCAP Foundation
Founded in 1975, The ASCAP Foundation is a charitable organization dedicated to supporting American music creators and encouraging their development through music education, talent development and humanitarian programs. Included in these are songwriting workshops, grants, scholarships, awards, recognition and community outreach programs. The ASCAP Foundation is supported by contributions from ASCAP members and from music lovers throughout the United States. www.ascapfoundation.org
