Inside Uniting Voices Chicago's Red Jacket Optional Gala

Formerly known as the Chicago Children’s Choir, Uniting Voices Chicago’s new name is representative of its mission to inspire, bridge the social divide and change lives through music, and the organization did just that at its always festive Red Jacket Optional gala at The Geraghty.

Joe and Pam Damico and John Hong and Ellee Pai Hong co-chaired the evening alongside design chair Tom Kehoe. Guests enjoyed a curated meal courtesy of Boka Catering Group and a live concert with musical performances by Sima Cunningham, Uniting Voices alumna Jamila Woods, Eurovision contestant Vasil Gavanliev and Uniting Voice’s world-renowned ensemble, Voice of Chicago. The event also honored Uniting Voices board chair David Koo and his wife, Lesly, for their sustained support and service to the nonprofit.

A live auction featuring packages for private in-home performances by Uniting Voices, a trip to the Puglia region of Italy and the chance to serve on Team Penske’s pit crew at the upcoming NASCAR event in Chicago helped raise over $2 million to benefit the organization’s music education programming.

Lesly and David Koo

Josephine Lee

Alexa Moster

Jamila Woods

Voice of Chicago put on a rousing performance.

Talia Lee