The Insider: Reception celebrates enduring legacy of Nat King Cole, charity named for him
Fans of Nat King Cole and advocates for music education in the public schools came together for a reception honoring the work of a charity named for the late music legend.
The event benefitting Nat King Cole Generation Hope took place April 12 at a private residence in the Palm Beach Biltmore.
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Liz McDermott, a board member of NKCGH, and Casey Cole-Ray and Timolin Cole-Augustus, twin daughters of Nat KIng Cole and co-founders of the charity that bears his name, were hosts for the reception.
In addition to cocktails and hors d'oeuvres, the evening included a performance by a trio from Lake Worth High School.
Anthony Tovar, Brenda Alomira and Jeilyn Sevilla-Nunez are band music students at the school, under the direction of Tiffany Cox, the Palm Beach Symphony's 2022 Instrument Music Educator of the Year.
The high school's music department is a beneficiary of NKCGH's Summers Strings Camp and Mentors in Schools programs.
At the event, the Cole sisters shared their vision for the charity ― that every child deserves opportunities to discover meaning and talent through music and to meet the escalating demand for music enrichment due to the economic restraints of public education systems.
Executive director Shanna St. John gave an overview of the charity’s programs, including Summer Jazz and Strings Camps, year-round Music Mentors in Schools, the Project Encore! instrument donation program, and college scholarships for music students.
More than 75 people attended, including Ellie Manko, Catherine Hart, Alex Donner, Ann Speiser, Lori Stoll, Seymour Zises, Laurie Cornell, Monica Overting, Michele Rella, Ally Coulter, Mandy Cramelle, Cooky Donaldson and Viviane Ventura.
Proceeds from the night assist Nat King Cole Generation Hope, Inc., a community-supported 501c(3) organization, in its mission to provide access to music education to economically disadvantaged children and teens.
This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Daily News: Reception celebrates legacy of Nat King Cole, charity named for him
