The New York City Gay Men’s Chorus (NYCGMC) (John J. Atorino, Artistic Director, and Rashad V. Chambers, Executive Director) held its annual gala fundraising benefit, Harmony, at the Edison Ballroom. 

More than just a fundraiser, Harmony is a celebration of the power that music has to bring people together, build community, celebrate diversity, and advocate for change. The event surpassed all previous NYCGMC galas in terms of ticket sales and attendance, and delivered a 25 percent increase in revenue raised from silent and live auctions and paddle raise. 

Honorees for the evening included the legendary Broadway composer John Kander (Cabaret, Chicago) who received the Icon Award, with his frequent collaborators Debra Monk, Scott Ellis and David Thompson accepting on his behalf; stage and screen star Tituss Burgess (“Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt,” Oh, Mary!, Moulin Rouge!), who received the Arts in Action Award from presenter Jane Krakowski; and Aaron Walton, the trailblazing advertising CEO of Walton Isaacson, who received the Community Call to Action Award from Charles Randolph Wright.

The event included performances from the New York City Gay Men's Chorus and Broadway performers, Nick Adams, Kate Baldwin, Maria Bilbao, Carolee Carmello, Jacob Dickey, Blaine Kraus, Lesli Margherita, Bianca Marroquin, Samantha Pauly, Mary Testa, and Alysha Umphress. 

Image credit: Shawn Salley