PHILADELPHIA, PA — On April 29, 2024, the Bruce Montgomery Foundation for the Arts (BMFA) will unveil the 2024 Springboard Grant Winners at their glittering annual Winners Showcase fundraising gala.
Epitomizing their support for the performing arts, the BMFA has, since 2014, awarded these $2,500 grants to nearly 50 emerging artists and student organizations in high school through college. The recipients are known for their exceptional talent and promise in the performing arts. Among them have been instrumentalists, vocalists spanning all genres, composers, and schools or groups focused on advancing arts education.
The gala, to be hosted at the 2300 Arena in South Philadelphia, promises a memorable evening. Guests will be treated to dinner, live and silent auctions, and a live performance featuring accomplished Broadway stars Major Attaway, Kennedy Caughell, and Talia Suskauer, along with the 2023 Springboard Grant recipients.
The event will receive a financial boost from an anonymous benefactor who has committed to match all donations, up to $20,000, for two years. Elizabeth Montgomery Thomas, the President and Executive Director of the Foundation, hails this as a significant accelerator for the work of the foundation, enabling it to support more young, aspiring artists.
Bruce Montgomery, the foundation’s namesake, devoted 50 years of his life to fostering the talents of students as the Director of Undergraduate Performing Arts at the University of Pennsylvania, guiding numerous students to successful careers in music, theatre, and film. His enduring legacy inspires young performers even today, and his words of encouragement “Don’t be afraid to be magnificent!” echo in their endeavors.
The slated performers for the evening represent the pinnacle of the Broadway stage. Major Attaway, a seasoned entertainer, has made a mark for himself as the longest-running Genie in Disney’s Aladdin. Kennedy Caughell is recognized for her portrayal of Carole King in the Broadway and national touring production of Beautiful: The Carole King Musical. Talia Suskauer, who is currently stealing the limelight as Elphaba in Wicked on Broadway, will also grace the stage.
The gala will also feature last year’s Springboard Grant recipients. These talented individuals represent various fields, from violinists such as Kai Freeman to dancers like Kamani Abu, pianist/composer Luke Christopher Baron, Mezzo/Alto vocalist Amelia Moss, and violinist Irina Rostomashvili.
The Bruce Montgomery Foundation for the Arts continues to offer a steppingstone for young, talented performers to launch their careers, proving that with the right support, they should “not be afraid to be magnificent.”
To purchase tickets to the 2024 Springboard Grant Winners Showcase and find sponsorship information, visit www.brucemontgomery.org. The event begins at 6 p.m. on Monday, April 29 at 2300 Arena, 2300 South Swanson Street, Philadelphia.
For the latest news on everything happening in Chester County and the surrounding area, be sure to follow MyChesCo on Google News and Microsoft Start.