Musicians from Goshen High School to perform at first J-Bird Music gala

GOSHEN — Two Goshen High School students are performing at the first J-Bird Music for the Arts benefit gala on Wednesday, Oct. 3, in Manhattan.
J-Bird Music for the Arts is a non-profit organization that seeks to “nurture a community supporting the performing arts and music in education for youths throughout New York State,” according to its website.
Senior Anna Boese and junior Sydney Jessup will perform as a piano/violin duo playing classical pieces at the gala.
Anna is an award-winning New York State School Music Association (NYSSMA) student who plans to study mechanical engineering in college and aspires to work for NASA. She is a member of the school’s Chamber Orchestra, Jazz Voice and Varsity Choir.
Jessup is also an award-winning NYSSMA student who plans to attend a liberal arts college where she can continue her music education.
In 2015, J-Bird Music for the Arts donated a flute in a hard shell case and a new acoustic guitar to Goshen’s music program.
“Students like Anna and Sydney represent all that’s great about Goshen’s music program,” said student services counselor Joe Palancia, who has been a musician for 50 years. “We are so proud of their musical accomplishments and are thrilled they are representing our school at this event. We are equally proud to have been a recent beneficiary of J-Bird’s donations.”
The event will be hosted by the organization's Founding Executive Director Joanne “J-Bird” Phillips, who founded the organization six years ago. J-Bird Music for the Arts provides resources, musical instruments and necessary equipment “so that young people may experience the joy and excitement of learning, performing and/or appreciating the performing arts,” the website said.
Proceeds from the event, which will be held at the historic ArtSpace Building, will help support the organization's mission of supporting performing arts in New York State education.
To learn more, visit: j-birdlivemusic.com.