Springtime Serenade’s Gift to Education

Seattle Opera’s Springtime Serenade began the evening with champagne and sparkling performances from former Young Artists. The annual Gala ended with an amazing gift from the 375 attendees: an additional $72,000 for Seattle Opera’s education programs.

Following the recital by Lawrence Brownlee, Jennifer Hines, David Korn, Anya Matanovic, Marcus Shelton, and Morgan Smith, partygoers enjoyed dinner in the main lobby of McCaw Hall. Over dessert, Gala Chair JJ McKay and Education Director Perry Lorenzo explained how as little as $100 could help Seattle Opera bring high school students to performances or take opera into the elementary schools.

McKay and Lorenzo then asked the Gala attendees to “Raise the Paddle” and pledge just a little more to Seattle Opera’s Young Artists Program and other educational endeavors. In a generous outpouring of support, paddles were waved in the air as the crowd “bid” amounts ranging from $100 to $10,000. By the end of the night, the total pledges came to $72,000.