Midori & Friends Raises $350,000 and Honors Veteran Journalist at 2025 Gala

Midori & Friends held its 33rd Anniversary Gala on March 31 at the J.W. Marriott Essex House in New York City.

Distinguished ABC News veteran and Emmy Award-winning journalist Ron Claiborne was honored for his transformative leadership and unwavering commitment to music education and positive social change.

The evening featured captivating performances by Broadway stars Kennedy Caughell and Jelani Remy, the cutting-edge electro-acoustic duo ARKAI, the award-winning beatbox duo SPIDERHORSE, and talented Midori & Friends students.

The gala raised over $350,000 and honored over three decades of impact, providing tuition-free music education programs to underserved communities throughout New York City. Midori & Friends has reached more than 330,000 students since its inception in 1992, and today, it serves over 12,800 students annually across 85 partner schools, with 91% of programs conducted in Title I public schools.

“Each note played in our classrooms ripples out into the community,” says Executive Director Larisa Gelman. “Our alumni now thrive in various industries, study at prestigious conservatories, and return to teach the next generation. When you support Midori & Friends, you’re not just funding music lessons – you’re shaping the city’s future.”

Midori & Friends was founded in 1992 by world-renowned violinist, Kennedy Center Honoree, and UN Messenger of Peace, Midori Goto, to bridge the opportunity gap in the arts in underserved NYC neighborhoods. Harnessing the power of music to transform the lives of children and enrich their communities. Through accessible music education programs, Midori & Friends cultivates the joy of learning, a spirit of service, and courageous self-expression for all, illuminating pathways to a brighter future. For more information about Midori & Friends and its programs, visit midoriandfriends.org.