Austin, Tex. (September 29, 2016) Steve Kuhn, hedge fund manager-turned-philanthropist has founded Young Voices of Austin (YVA).
“We have an opportunity to truly make a difference in the lives of young people in all neighborhoods of the city – from East Austin to Hyde Park to West Lake and everywhere in between,” said Kuhn, originally from Minnesota. Kuhn is also a board member of the famed Young People’s Chorus of New York City®.
The organization, which aims to empower the voices of Austin’s talented young people, will pursue artistic excellence in choral singing while celebrating the racial and socioeconomic diversity of Austin’s youth. By focusing on their musical, academic, and personal achievement, Young Voices of Austin hopes not only to provide a high-quality choral experience, but to support the future leaders of the city of Austin.
Tapped to lead the organization as Artistic Director is Dr. D. Jason Bishop, currently Associate Professor of Music and Director of Choral and Vocal Studies at Drew University in Madison, NJ.
“This is an incredibly exciting moment for me, and for Austin,” expressed Bishop. “Steve’s invitation to build a vibrant, diverse youth chorus organization in an amazing city like Austin was more than any choral conductor could resist. I am grateful to have the opportunity to lead an effort like this for a second time in my life, and I’m so inspired and energized by what lies ahead.”
Described by the Erie Times News as “energetic, vital and innovative,” this isn’t Bishop’s first time shaping a new children’s chorus. In 2008, he founded the Young People’s Chorus of Erie and changed the choral landscape of the northwest Pennsylvania region. The chorus won international acclaim in 2012, winning two gold and one silver medals at the World Choir Games. Bishop also led the Young People’s Chorus of Erie to Carnegie Hall, and the City of Erie made a proclamation honoring the achievements of the chorus under Bishop’s baton.
Additionally, Young Voices of Austin will be funded in part by the ASK Charitable Foundation, another new nonprofit founded by Kuhn supporting the charitable efforts of other nonprofits that seek to benefit children and families in the Austin community.
Diana Greenfield, formerly with Pine River Capital, will serve as Executive Director. The Board of Young Voices of Austin includes familiar faces Kelly Mikelson, Christy Pipkin, Turk Pipkin, Staci Radtke, Abe Wickelgren, Luis Zayas, Doug Dempster, Molly Joseph, Andrew Olson, Lorin Radtke, and Paul Twitchell. Rounding out the founding Board is tennis champion Andy Roddick and Ray Benson, nine-time Grammy-winning country music singer.
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