2026 Caramoor Opening Night Summer Gala Journal

Celebrating

A SHARED COMMITMENT TO

Caramoor & the Arts Congratulations to Jane and Bill Donaldson & Kelli O’Hara

@gpfood | www.greatperformances.com

SATURDAY

Opening Night

JUN 20 Summer Gala

SUNDAY

4:00pm / Gala Tent

5:00pm / Gala Tent

2026 SUMMER SEASON

Dedicated Men of Zion

JUN 21 Celebrating Juneteenth

An Evening with Kelli O’Hara

Order online at caramoor.org or call 914.232.1252

7:00pm / Venetian Theater

Beyond The Music

THURSDAY

Conversations at Caramoor

Hélène Grimaud, piano

JUN 25 7:30pm / Venetian Theater

THURSDAY

JUL 2

Poiesis Quartet 7:30pm / Music Room

Afternoon Tea

FRIDAY

Nature & Wellness

Isaac Mizrahi

JUN 26 Celebrating Pride

7:30pm / Venetian Theater

FRIDAY

Louis Armstrong

JUL 3 Hot Five Centennial

SATURDAY

American Roots

JUN 27 Music Festival

SUNDAY

4:00pm / Venetian Theater

12:30pm / Caramoor Grounds

SATURDAY

Pops, Patriots & Fireworks

JUL 4 8:00pm / Venetian Theater

The Knights & Conrad Tao

JUN 28 Rhapsody in Blue

SUNDAY

JUL 5

Johnny Gandelsman: This is America

1:00pm / Caramoor Grounds

Celebration

7:30pm / Friends Field

WEDNESDAY Dancing at Dusk:

JUL 8 WindSync plays

Peter and the Wolf

THURSDAY

FRIDAY

VOCES8

JUL 10 7:30pm / Spanish Courtyard

SATURDAY

5:30pm / Friends Field

Aristo Sham, piano

Ricardo Lemvo

4:30pm / Music Room

7:30pm / Friends Field

7:30pm / Venetian Theater

WEDNESDAY Dancing at Dusk:

JUL 15 Flor Bromley’s Fiesta Global

SUNDAY

Apollo’s Fire

JUL 12 Dueling Double Concertos 4:00pm / Venetian Theater

11:00am / Sunken Garden

JUL 9 & Makina Loca

Patty Griffin

FRIDAY

Les Arts Florissants

JUL 17 7:00pm / Venetian Theater

SATURDAY

Kyle Sanna, guitar

JUL 18 Dana Lyn, violin

11:00am / Sunken Garden

5:30pm / Friends Field

THURSDAY

Adam W. Sadberry, flute

JUL 11 Alexander Davis, bassoon

SUNDAY

Cerrone

4:00pm / Sunken Garden

Punch Brothers

Conor Hanick, piano

Sandbox Percussion

JUL 19 Premieres Christopher

7:30pm / Venetian Theater

JUL 16 The Book of Sounds

7:30pm / Spanish Courtyard

WEDNESDAY Dancing at Dusk:

JUL 22 Hopalong Andrew

FRIDAY

Verona Quartet

SATURDAY

Jazz Festival

FRIDAY

Ruckus

SATURDAY

Emily Levin, harp

JUL 24 7:30pm / Spanish Courtyard

JUL 25 12:30pm / Caramoor Grounds

SUNDAY

Handel’s Tolomeo

SUNDAY

Orchestra of St. Luke’s

JUL 26 4:00pm / Venetian Theater

5:30pm / Friends Field

THURSDAY

Yuja Wang, piano

JUL 23 People of Earth

7:30pm / Venetian Theater

THURSDAY

Mark Morris

JUL 30 Dance Group 7:30pm / Venetian Theater

JUL 31 The Edinburgh Rollick 7:30pm / Spanish Courtyard

AUG 1 Julia Choi, violin

11:00am / Sunken Garden

Njioma Grevious, violin Andrew Goodridge, piano 4:30pm / Music Room

Bruce Hornsby & The Noisemakers 7:30pm / Venetian Theater

AUG 2 & Gil Shaham

4:00pm / Venetian Theater

WELCOME Dear Friends, It is my great pleasure to welcome you to Caramoor’s Opening Night Summer Gala.

Each year, this special evening marks more than the start of our Summer Season. It is a celebration of the extraordinary community that makes Caramoor such a vibrant cultural destination where music, arts, and nature come together. I am deeply grateful for your presence and your partnership in bringing this shared vision to life.

Tonight, we gather in honor of Jane Donaldson and her beloved late husband, Bill, whose enduring commitment to Caramoor has helped shape and sustain this remarkable institution. We are proud to bestow upon them the Cultural Impact Award in recognition of their generosity, leadership, and love of music, which continues to leave a lasting imprint on our organization and on all who experience Caramoor.

I am also delighted that we are presenting the first Artistic Achievement Award to the incomparable Kelli O’Hara.

In addition to being widely regarded as one of the leading musical theater performers of her generation, Kelli continues to be a passionate advocate

for arts education, sharing how quality arts access shaped her life and career.

As we look ahead, I am filled with optimism for what we are building together. This season reflects a dynamic period of momentum and growth, as we expand programmatic offerings, deepen community engagement, and create new pathways for guests of all ages to connect with the arts. From inspiring performances by world-class artists to programs that welcome and engage new audiences, Caramoor continues to evolve while remaining rooted in the beauty, history, and spirit that define this place.

Your support this evening plays a vital role in ensuring that Caramoor remains a place of discovery, creativity, and connection for generations to come, and that we can continue to nurture emerging artists, preserve our historic home and gardens, and keep our campus open and accessible to all.

Thank you for being part of this unforgettable evening and for supporting and sustaining Caramoor’s future.

With warmest gratitude,

Gillian Fox President and Chief Executive Officer

DONORS TO THE OPENING NIGHT SUMMER GALA THEREMIN The Donaldson Family Judy & Tony Evnin Tracy & Ted McCourtney Sue & Edgar Wachenheim, III Leslie Williams & Jim Attwood

GRAND PIANO Mimi & Barry J. Alperin Nancy & Jon Bauer Sandra & Bill Cordiano Susan W. Freund Armando Gutierrez & Jack L. Johnson Angela & William Haines Stephen T. Limpe Indra & Raj Nooyi Nancy S. & Morris W. Offit Amy Parsons & Paul Bird

CELLO Karen & Robert Dinerstein Margaret & Chris Edson Joni Evans & Bob Perkins and Stephanie Stiefel & Robert S. Cohen Effie & Robert Fribourg Edythe Gladstein Amy & John Peckham Susan & Ken Wallach Tina & Ian M. Winchester

FRENCH HORN David W. Barber Margot & Jerry Bogert James W. Crystal Barbara & E. Robert Goodkind Georgia & David Keidan Katherine & Peter Kend

Linda J. Merrill & Dr. William B. Nolan Marnie S. Pillsbury Yvonne Pollack Eliah Seton & Dr. Jamie McKeever Bonnie & Tom Strauss Lisa & Paul Welch

VIOLIN Andron Construction Corporation Chris & Jim Cowperthwait Emme & Jonathan Deland Pamela Farr & Buford Alexander Jeanne Donovan Fisher Wendy & Bill Foulke Margarita & Peter Gottsegen Gerry H. Hodes Floy & Amos Kaminski Stephen Lowey Faith Rosenfeld & Jaime Castro Denise & Andrew Saul Beth Chartoff Spector & Jason Spector Wendy Stein & Bart Friedman Bonnie & Charles Tisi Judi Wolf & Alden L. Toevs Fay & Tom Walsh Kimba M. Wood & Frank E. Richardson Anonymous

CLARINET Lucy & Mike Danziger Karen & Gerry Fox Great Performances Maggie Grise & Adam Silver Maureen E. Hanagan Olga & Michael Kagan Kim Larson & Gary E. Knell Loriann & Tim Low Margery & Edgar Masinter

Thank you for playing your part in making great music come to life!

Melissa H. Mulrooney Museum of American Finance Linda Rappaport & Leonard Chazen Eve H. Rice & Timothy Mattison Susan & Elihu Rose Katherine & Steven Seiden Rebecca Stevens & Dan Broden Deborah F. Stiles Frederica Wald Mr. & Mrs. Herbert S. Winokur

FLUTE Karen Adler Photeine Anagnostopoulos & James Stynes Mitch & Kim Berns Laura Blau & Michael Citro Cynthia & Steven Brill Susanne & Joe Cusato Carolyn & Colm Dobbyn Kim & Adam Donaldson Mrs. R. Evans Isabelle Harnoncourt Feigen Gillian & Michael Fox Ellen & David Freeman Jill & Lee Goldman Susan & Donald Greenwald Ellen & Robert Grimes Betty Himmel Adelaide Jones Erika Kessel & Lawrence Webber Stanley Kogelman Drs. Melissa & Lewis Kohl Nanette & Federico Laffan Marsh McLennan Agency Jaimie Mayer & Daniel Raiffe Anne P. McDowell Ms. Shaena C. McPadden Pamela Moffat Vivian & David Moreinis

Eileen Milloy Murphy Mary Nakashian Heidi Paul & Andy Bolster Nancy Phillips & Tom Dunne Nicki & David Pogue Mary Prehn & John Scacchia Celeste & Joseph Rault Eve H. Rice & Timothy Mattison Betty Robbins & Moses Silverman Simrat & Parminder Singh Manita Scocimara Katherine & Steven Seiden Nina & Michael Stanton Ellen Stein Jean Troubh Kate & Seymour Weingarten Wendy Zimmerman & Steve Cutler

CHORUS Peter Aupperle & Stewart Fishbein Beth & Barry M. Borza Erica & Andrew Baren Camilla Dietz Bergeron, Ltd. Alice B. Duff Margaret Mary Dunne Jane Goldman Mrs. Betsy Grant Edward J. Lewis, III & Dr. Scott R. Palmer Anne Patterson & Robert S. Potter Jane L. Polin Lolly H. Prince N. A. Risser Roberta A. Schmidt Wendy Smolen & Norton Lazarus Susan & Michael Stillman Maureen & Thomas Tierney Regina & Jason Vintiadis As of June 5th, 2026

HONORING JANE & BILL DONALDSON Tonight, it is our great honor to recognize Jane Donaldson and her late husband, Bill, as dedicated champions of Caramoor. On an evening that celebrates all those who sustain this remarkable place, we are especially grateful to Jane for the leadership and commitment she has brought to Caramoor for over a decade.

Together, Jane and Bill have supported Caramoor as generous donors and committed advocates for its mission. They enjoyed the full breadth of our musical offerings across our venues and attended many events in support of our education programs. Their longstanding involvement reflects a genuine belief in the importance of Caramoor’s programs and its vital role within our community.

Since joining the Board of Trustees in 2014, Jane has played an integral role in shaping the organization during a period of meaningful growth and renewal. A member of the Executive Committee and chair of the People, Culture, and Compensation committee, she has contributed clear judgment, institutional perspective, and a deep understanding of nonprofit leadership to her work.

Her dedication to fostering a strong and vibrant future for Caramoor has been felt across every aspect of the institution.

Beyond Caramoor, Jane has built a distinguished career in nonprofit leadership and higher education as co-founder of the executive search firm Phillips Oppenheim. She has brought this valuable experience and insight to Caramoor, always grounded in the needs of the organization.

We are deeply grateful and proud to celebrate Jane and Bill tonight for all they have done to help position Caramoor for continued successes in the years ahead.

HONORING KELLI O’HARA Tony Award Winner, Emmy, SAG, Olivier and Grammy-nominated actress Kelli O’Hara has established herself as one of Broadway’s greatest leading ladies.

She first appeared at Caramoor in 2011, and returned to open our 2015 Summer Season, just after winning a Tony Award for Best Actress in The King and I at Lincoln Center Theater, as well making history as the first artist to cross over from Broadway to the Metropolitan Opera with her debut in The Merry Widow opposite Renee Fleming. The Light in the Piazza, South Pacific, The Pajama Game, Kiss Me, Kate and The Days of Wine and Roses are just a few of the other musicals she has starred in.

Most recently, she starred with Tom Hanks in the world premiere of This World of Tomorrow at The Shed, and with Rose Byrne in Noel Coward’s Fallen Angels, for which she received a 2026 Tony nomination for Best Leading Actress in a Play.

On TV she can be seen in HBO’s The Gilded Age, CBS’s Sheriff Country and Ryan Murphy’s FX series The Beauty. Her solo concerts take her across the world, and she is a frequent concert performer on PBS’s live telecasts, and performs often alongside The New York Philharmonic and The New York Pops. She has two solo albums, Always and Wonder in the World.

PROGRAM SPOTLIGHT

The Ernst Stiefel String Quartet Annual Residency For 81 years, Caramoor has captivated visitors as a vibrant home for creativity. Lucie and Walter Rosen’s founding vision of bringing people together through the arts has stood the test of time, with generations of world-class musicians gracing Caramoor’s stages over the years. That legacy continues not only through the artists Caramoor presents today, but also through its long history of fostering early-career talent through mentoring programs. Since 1999, Caramoor has selected a promising ensemble for the annual Ernst Stiefel String Quartet-in-Residence program, including opportunities for public performances, career development, and community engagement. Each year brings an exciting group of musicians with an innovative approach, and the 2025-26 Quartet-inResidence is no exception.

The Poiesis Quartet arrived at Caramoor fresh from

Poiesis Quartet performing in the Rosen House Music Room at Caramoor on May 3, 2026.

their Grand Prize win at the prestigious Banff International String Quartet Competition.

Composed of Sarah Ying Ma and Max Ball on violin, Jasper de Boor on viola, and Drew Dansby on cello, the Quartet formed in an Oberlin College & Conservatory seminar class in 2022 and quickly attracted acclaim, winning prizes in the Fischoff National Chamber Music Competition and St. Paul String Quartet Competition in 2023. They derived the name “Poiesis” from the ancient Greek word for ‘the creation of something that has never existed before’, reflecting the

Quartet’s eclectic programming and emphasis on emerging composers. This one-of-a-kind ethos was a perfect fit for a venue like Caramoor, which is regarded by many who visit as a place like no other.

The Quartet kicked off their residency in November with a concert in Caramoor’s intimate Music Room. This show was named one of the best classical performances of 2025 by The New York Times, which lauded the ensemble’s “multifaceted artistry” and “brilliantly idiomatic” programming.

In addition to performances at Caramoor, the ensemble brought their talents into the

Photo by Daniel Kumapayi

Poiesis Quartet working with students.

local community. During the 2025-26 season, they conducted visits to 26 schools, hosting masterclasses and workshops that reached over 1,000 local music students.

“Many of the students do not get to go and see professional musicians on their instruments, especially the opportunity to interact with them and see them up close,” one school administrator said. “Thank you for keeping this valuable opportunity open for our students.”

Beyond schools, the Quartet performed twice at the Heritage Hills senior living residence, fostering greater connection with seniors in the community. The Poiesis Quartet also brought music to incarcerated individuals at the Bedford Hills Correctional

Facility, where an administrator shared, “A million thanks for a wonderful afternoon of music and conversation. You brought warmth and connection to a place where there is little.”

The Poiesis Quartet’s Caramoor residency will conclude on Thursday, July 2 with a concert in the Music Room, bringing newly commissioned pieces to life in a program exploring queer identity and heritage.

Though the Quartet’s time at Caramoor is drawing to a close, their future is boundless, and the inspiration their musicianship has instilled in

Photo by Daniel Kumapayi

those who have attended their concerts or been reached by their community engagement is sure to be cherished for years to come. We hope you can be amongst their fans who can say “I remember when I saw them at Caramoor!” as they continue to rise in their career.

We are deeply grateful for the unwavering support of Caramoor’s community, which has helped Caramoor flourish, not only as a place where brilliant artistry can be experienced, but as a sanctuary for its cultivation as well.

ALUMNI QUARTETS AND COMMISSIONED COMPOSERS 2024–25: Terra String Quartet / Juri Seo 2023–24: Abeo Quartet / Jessica Mays 2022–23: Ivalas Quartet / Derrick Skye 2020–22: Callisto Quartet / Saad Haddad 2019–20: Thalea Quartet / Paola Prestini 2018–19: Omer Quartet / Gabriella Smith 2017–18: Verona Quartet / Julia Adolphe 2016–17: Argus Quartet / Donald Crockett 2015–16: Aizuri Quartet / Paul Wiancko 2014–15: The Calidore Quartet / Patrick Harlin 2013–14: Dover Quartet / David Ludwig 2012–13: The Amphion Quartet / Yevgeniy Sharlat 2011–12: Linden String Quartet / Gabriel Kahane 2009–11: Jasper String Quartet / Andrew Norman 2008–09: Ariel String Quartet / Yohanan Chendler 2007–08: Escher String Quartet / Pierre Jalbert 2006–07: Parker Quartet / Lera Auerbach 2005–06: Jupiter String Quartet / John Musto 2004–05: Amernet String Quartet / Joel Hoffman 2003–04: Daedalus Quartet / David Horne 2002–03: Rossetti String Quartet / John Harbison 2001–02: Pacifica Quartet / Marta Ptaszynska 2000–01: Miró Quartet / Brent Michael Davids 1999–00: Avalon String Quartet / Augusta Read Thomas

Hear from Drew Dansby of the Poiesis Quartet, explaining the program and its impact in this short video:

GIVING IN ACTION At Caramoor, we believe that access to music is essential.

Our education and engagement initiatives bring artists into classrooms, welcome families to the grounds, and foster meaningful connections between musicians and the community.

In 2025: •

Local students reached through our Student Strings program: 1,000

•

Schools and partner organizations served: 14

•

Free or reduced-price tickets distributed: 5,714

Through these efforts, Caramoor continues to nurture curiosity, creativity, and lifelong relationships with the arts.

Mom You and Dad are simply the best. Your commitment to supporting the community inspires us, and we couldn’t be more proud to celebrate you both today.

We love you!

Adam, Kimmy, & West Donaldson

Celebrating Jane and the late Bill Donaldson’s many years of Caramoor support from your friends at the Museum of American Finance

What an incredible variety of musical talent we are privileged to enjoy this 2026 season at Caramoor— Thank you to all the creative staff who work to make this gift possible!

Yvonne Pollack

To experience all that Caramoor has to offer is a privilege.

Susie Freund

HONORING Jane and Bill Donaldson Your generosity, vision, and leadership in the arts and community continue to inspire and enrich countless lives.

With congratulations and admiration, Frederica Wald Ackerman Institute for the Family

Congratulations and thank you to Jane Donaldson for her unwavering support of Caramoor and its mission. Let us also celebrate both Jane and Bill for their many years of personal commitment to building a strong foundation for Caramoor’s future.

Sandy and Bill Cordiano

Congratulations and thank you to Jane Donaldson for her many years of sage advice and Jane and Bill’s unwavering support of Caramoor’s mission.

Stephen Limpe

It is a privilege to celebrate Kelli’s incredible artistry and the Donaldson’s steadfast devotion, which have shaped Caramoor into the vibrant cultural sanctuary it is today.

Thank you for allowing Ned Kelly & Co. to be a part of Caramoor’s special celebrations for so many wonderful, unforgettable years. I extend my deepest gratitude for being able to contribute to this special home to music and the arts.

With warmest congratulations and heartfelt thanks, Ned Kelly Ned Kelly & Co.

Congratulations to Jane Donaldson for this honor and to both Jane and Bill for helping to bring Caramoor to this exciting moment.

Here’s to the next chapter of music, arts, and community!

Nancy and Jon Bauer

Bada Swing!

Saturday, July 11 7:30pm

Bada Swing! is a lounge-jazz musical comedy that reunites two deeply questionable 1960s crooners, Bobby Bingus & Tommy Linguini, for one last comeback concert. A hit at Joe’s Pub & the New York Comedy Festival, the show mixes live music, oddball storytelling & sharp humor into a strange, slightly unhinged celebration of ego, nostalgia, & showbiz past its prime.

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BOARD OF TRUSTEES James A. Attwood, Jr., Chairman Paul S. Bird, Vice Chairman Lisa Welch, Treasurer Angela Haines, Secretary David Barber Jon Bauer Dan Broden Leonard Chazen Bill Cordiano Jane Donaldson Susan W. Freund Effie Fribourg Barbara Winter Glauber Maggie Grise

EMERITI TRUSTEES Judy Evnin, Chairman Emerita Barry J. Alperin Jonathan M. Clark Ian Cook Lawrence Elow E. Robert Goodkind Peter Gottsegen Sandra Joys Peter Kend Nancy Offit Eileen Schwab Richard Zinman

Floy Kaminski Stanley Kogelman Stephen T. Limpe Jaimie Mayer Richard H. O’Leary David Pogue Denise Saul Eliah Z. Seton Beth Chartoff Spector Nina Stanton Deborah F. Stiles Alden L. Toevs Seymour Weingarten Ian M. Winchester

PHILANTHROPY AND SPECIAL EVENTS COMMITTEE David Barber, Co-Chair Susan W. Freund, Co-Chair James A. Attwood, Jr. Jon Bauer Judy Evnin Effie Fribourg Maureen Hanagan Richard H. O’Leary Eliah Z. Seton Fay Walsh Lisa Welch

Thank you for making tonight a special start to our 81st Summer Season.

Your generosity makes it possible for Caramoor to present world-class performances, nurture the next generation of artists, and preserve this historic home for all to experience and enjoy.

Support Caramoor’s work with a gift today.

149 Girdle Ridge Road PO Box 816 Katonah, NY 10536 caramoor.org