Stephanie Sick, Michael Halberstam and honorary gala co-chair Alexandra Nichols
Stephanie Sick, Michael Halberstam and honorary gala co-chair Alexandra Nichols
Violinist Joshua Bell with MIC student Jasmine Horton
Gala co-chairs John and Fran Edwardson, with Nancy and Scott Santi
Maya Buchanan gives Almita Vamos a hug.
Maya Buchanan gives Almita Vamos a hug.
MIC’s Third Coast Suzuki Strings
MIC board chair Jane Irwin with President and CEO Mark George
Rachel Barton Pine with Cyrus Friedheim
Joshua Bell helps the Music Institute of Chicago take a bow at its annual gala.
THE PARTY Over 350 philanthropists and music lovers gathered at the Four Seasons Hotel for the Music Institute of Chicago’s elegant 86th anniversary gala, raising more than $850,000 to benefit the 5,000 students who study with MIC each year.
THE PEOPLE Throughout the evening, guests enjoyed performances by MIC’s young proteges and mingled with notable attendees, including Lois M. and Harrison I. Steans, recipients of the Cultural Visionary Award, and Roland and Almita Vamos, presented with the Richard D. Colburn Award for Teaching Excellence.
THE PINNACLE This year, MIC honored acclaimed violinist Joshua Bell for his virtuosic talent and charitable work. Bell (accompanied by MIC students) took the stage and surprised guests with a performance of Bach’s Concerto for Two Violins, Strings and Continuo in D minor—a soaring ending to an inspirational night. –Katy Rose O’Brien; photos by Bob Carl and Jennifer Girard
Photography by:
