Written by Christina Mink
On March 17, 2024, AYLUS Oyster Bay organized the “Under the Sun” benefit concert in support of UNICEF. After obtaining permission from UNICEF for fundraising, we collaborated with renowned soprano Fang Tao Jiang and pianist Bryan Wagorn to present the concert at the National Opera Center in Manhattan. Members of the voice ensemble began rehearsal at 5 pm in Scorce Hall at the National Opera Center, followed by soloists. We also set up tables and refreshed the hallway for cocktail hour. The concert commenced at 7 pm, featuring performances by 13 children aged five to ten in a children’s choir, followed by 17 young singers performing famous opera and Broadway selections such as “Nel Cor Piu Non Mi Sento” and “Burn” from Hamilton. Mrs. Jiang and her students sang selections from La Traviata together, and Mr. Jiang performed “Three Wishes of Rosa” and “O Mio Babbino Caro.” The finale included an auction of posters featuring the singers’ headshots and signatures, with enthusiastic participation from the audience. The concert raised a total of $6K, all of which was donated to UNICEF from ticket sales and auction proceeds.
Gratitude to the following 30 young volunteers, totaling 150.5 volunteer hours collectively.
Xi Chen, Emma Du, Jiancheng Dengzhong, Mandy Ru Feng, Reed Gnepper, Andrew Hansong, Miaoyan Hou, Lirong Liu, Jingxuan Liu, Christina Mink, Isla Wu, Ella Wang, Yuqi Wu, Benjamin Yang, Matthew Yang, Rachel Zhao, Yitian Zhang, Sophie Edelman, Hermione Fung, Anoushrie Gupta, Yuxuan Gong, Sophia Guo, Valerie Lan, Shinyi Pei, Alina Soukhareva, Sofia Shi, Alexandra Sun, Olivia Schussler, Wallace Wu, Sophie Yang —- 5 hrs.
