Thank you to all the Central Coast Conservatorium of Music supporters, donors, special guests, students, staff and board members who came together to celebrate our 40th anniversary at Kefi restaurant while raising much-needed funds to continue to provide quality music education on the Coast.
Over 80 guests attended the 40th Gala Dinner at the stunning new Kefi at Koolewong waterside restaurant on Thursday 23 November. On arrival guests were met with bubbles and refreshments with live performances from Central Coast acappella group Ebb and Flow (featuring Central Coast Conservatorium scholarship winner Mia Cross and Vice President Elizabeth Scott) and under the direction of Central Coast Conservatorium Children’s Choir vocal coach Anne Haslam.
Throughout the night, as guests enjoyed the Mediterranean-inspired mezze banquet they were treated to performances from students and Central Coast Conservatorium music teachers, including vocalist Mia Cross, Allen Family Scholarship 2024 Runner Up Jerome Drobot on guitar (who later performed with his guitar teacher Guy Strazz), Allen Family Scholarship 2024 finalist Emma Deed on flute and Grace Moura Atkins on piano and also Central Coast Conservatorium associate artist and pianist Noah Peres.
Vocal teachers Michaele Archer and Yvette Masters also took to the stage, with Yvette teaming up with Guy Strazz on guitar for a energising rendition of Summertime from Porgy and Bess. Head of Piano, Carl Schmidt accompanied Michaele for La Vie en Rose.
Special guest, ABC Classic broadcaster and Sydney Symphony Orchestra harpist, Genevieve Lang, shared her personal story of her connection with music and of the importance of quality music education for everybody before performing an excerpt from The Harp and The Moon by Australian composer Ross Edwards on the harp.
Central Coast Conservatorium Artistic Director Patrick Brennan then entertained guests with a crash course in percussion and conducting, as he directed the 80-strong crowd to sing, clap, click and tap along to Happy Birthday while Central Coast Conservatorium Patron, Charmian Gadd OAM, cut the cake.
A special thank you to all the generous organisations and individuals who donated wonderful prizes for the Silent Auction, Live Auction and Raffle and wonderful auctioneer for the night Sarah King.
Live Auction prizes were donated by Kawai Australia, Georg Jensen, Paul Chenard Entertainment, Gosford Sailing Club, Bells at Killcare, Crowne Plaza Terrigal.
Silent Auction prizes included packages from The Art House Wyong, Herbie’s Spices, Broken Bay Pearl Farm, Briar Ridge Winery, 60 Darling St Wines, Australian String Quartet, Second Earth yoga equipment, Elite Salt Academy swim coaching, Charmian Gadd, Sydney Oyster Farm Tours, Our Italian Table cooking school, Pilates at Sarah’s, Komuniti Yoga at Long Jetty.
Raffle prizes were donated by Glenworth Valley Outdoor Adventures, Kefi Restaurant, The Boathouse Group and Mr Goaty Gelato.
