Press Releases

NEW YORK, NY, 1/25/04 - On Sunday January 25th, 2004 Singers Forum officially opened its new home, a beautiful state-of-the art facility at 49 West 24th Street.  The opening gala capped a weekend of special open house celebrations at which more than 300 guests and over 60 singers and musicians inaugurated two new performing spaces and celebrated the 25th Anniversary of Singers Forum and the 80th Birthday of Founding Director Andy Anselmo.

Andy led off the singing at each of the performances, sharing the stage with Anselmo Achievement Award-winners Lisa Anselmo, Thos Shipley, Amanda Green, Margaret Curry, William Michals, Linda Burton and Chip Michaels.  Faculty members Elizabeth Russo, Wendy Russell, Janna Genzlinger, Diana Diaz, Ellen Starr, Ralph Lane and David Epstein also appeared during the opening weekend performances.  The Singers Forum Senior Outreach Singers brought their own unique magic in the Friday and Saturday performances.

Young performing prodigies Caroline Jones and Tess Druckenmiller charmed the crowd as did Metropolitan Opera star Lucine Amara.

A performance by the Singers Forum Youth Scholarship Program chorus of “One Small Voice” brought the gala audience to its feet in a rousing standing ovation.

Executive Director Phil Campanella acted as emcee and accompanied at the piano. John Koprowski graciously emceed on Friday and Saturday.

The new home for Singers Forum was funded by the generosity of many donors and several of those were present and honored for their gifts to making the dream a reality. 

Singers Forum officially dedicated its new performance hall, The Dorothy Jones Theater, in memory of the mother of Paul Tudor Jones II, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Tudor Investment Corporation and Founder of the Robin Hood Foundation.  Stanley Druckenmiller, chairman of Duquesne Capital, Dale Ponikvar, Esq., Senior Partner Milbank, Tweed, Hadley & McCloy LLP and Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Sowanick of Merrill Lynch were among those thanked for their generosity.

A highlight of the afternoon was the presentation by the Hon. Robert Dryfoos of a Proclamation from the City Council of New York to Andy Anselmo for his distinguished career and service to the city and the cultural life of the nation.

A video of Liza Minnelli singing at the Singers Forum 15th Anniversary was shown and Louis Tallarini told the crowd about the 25th Anniversary Gala to be held at the Kaplan Penthouse at Lincoln Center on April 26, 2004.