Last year, the BYC lost a major grant — $25,000 from the National Endowment for the Arts. The gala aimed to help close the funding gap with donations, ensuring the BYC can continue to offer award-winning performances, educational opportunities and engage Brooklyn students in music making.
“Brooklyn Youth Chorus is everything. Not only have I grown as a singer, but I have also grown with BYC as a person,” said one student. “I’ve learned how to work with people and form meaningful relationships. Being in BYC has helped me develop a sense of self. This nonprofit organization has given me so much and has given so much to so many others. I don’t know where I’d be without that — to see how they give back to the kids in Brooklyn. A passion for music is one of the most beautiful things, and for you to give to the BYC and help them give back is even more beautiful.”
Another student spoke about the BYC’s college preparation, scholarships and education initiatives, including the Diamonstein-Spielvogel Youth and Contemporary Music Initiative and the College and Career Readiness Program. Through these programs, choristers get opportunities and support for applying to schools by providing mentorship and guidance.
Honoree Nydia Velázquez speaks. Photo: John McCarten/Brooklyn Eagle
“Throughout my time at BYC, I’ve received financial aid that has allowed me to do what I love as a New York Community Trust Van Lier fellow. I have been supported by a college advisor and an incredible music mentor, Laquita Mitchell, and also received direct financial support for the college application process,” said Vivian Kravet, who will start her undergraduate studies at the Eastman School of Music in the fall. “At BYC, I’ve cultivated my love of music, particularly new music, and performed at world-renowned venues from Carnegie Hall to the Tokyo Dome with the most acclaimed conductors and artists.”
Chorister Savannah Savas spoke about her experience with BYC at the gala as well, and noted that the gala marked her last as a chorister. “BYC is what I look forward to on both the brightest and darkest days, and I don’t want to lose it after I perform for the last time,” she said.
In a statement to gala attendees, Mayor Zohran Mamdani encouraged continued support for BYC, recognizing its community impact in New York City Public Schools and its generosity to its students. “I commend the BYC’s leadership, staff and supporters for all they do to uplift diverse New Yorkers through the power of music. Together, we will forge a bold new era for the Big Apple and ensure it remains a place where artists of all ages and backgrounds can afford to live, work and create.”
Copies of the Brooklyn Eagle are read. Photo: John McCarten/Brooklyn Eagle
Outside of BYC, Berkun Menaker has a vegan bag-making studio, which was one of the more than 25 businesses and artist studios affected by the Red Hook warehouse fire in September 2025. The fire destroyed artwork and the space formerly housing the Brooklyn Waterfront Artists Coalition, which returns for its first show since September in Gowanus this month.
Though some of the artists and businesses, including Berkun Menaker, have found new spaces to rebuild their brands, many lost most or all of their inventory, artwork and space for creating. As part of the gala, an auction took place to raise funds for those struggling after the fire, along with a gallery of artwork from impacted artists in the gala space.
“For me, having a creative space to develop my bag-making craft felt like an incredible luxury. I already had Brooklyn Youth Chorus and a full life of music, but creatives have to create, and like so many of the people here today, creativity is rarely contained to just one medium,” said Berkun Menaker. “Many of the Red Hook artists lost their entire lifetime of creative work. It is impossible to measure the impact of the fire on this community, but what is unmistakable is the resilience of these artists who continue to draw and paint and build — artists whose creative mind and spirit cannot be extinguished.”
Megan Lemley speaks. Photo: John McCarten/Brooklyn Eagle
The Red Hook artists’ auction included works from Berkun Menaker, Liliana Ruiz, Rebecca Spivak, Seth King, Joseph Morris, Callie Danae Hirsch, Judi Aronson, Smith Banfield and more.
“I am so honored to share our gala space this year with these people and to have many of them in the room tonight,” Berkun Menaker said, who then told the contributing guests, “All of you, by being in this room tonight in support of this community, are change makers, problem solvers and generous leaders providing a new way forward. You are the artists, making change happen.”
Celebrating its 34th season and Brooklyn’s artistic community, the 2026 BYC gala exceeded its fundraising goal, though it has yet to close its overall budget gap for the year. The proceeds from the artist auction primarily supported the Red Hook artists directly, with a portion of contributions going to support BYC’s programs.