David Broza

Mahani Teave

Sarah Benson

Perelman Performing Arts Center

The Perelman Performing Arts Center (PAC NYC) proudly presented "Playing it Forward: School as Refuge" on September 21st at 8:00pm, a remarkable event that has since passed. This unique concert was part of the "Refuge: A Concert Series to Welcome the World," designed to celebrate the transformative power of music and its ability to foster a sense of safety, comfort, community, and regrowth.

The evening featured performances by a stellar lineup of internationally acclaimed artists, including Grammy, Emmy, and Academy Award-winning rapper, actor, and activist Common; Easter Island’s award-winning pianist and humanitarian Mahani Teave; Israel’s multi-platinum singer-songwriter David Broza; and Arturo O’Farrill with the Grammy Award-winning Afro Latin Jazz Orchestra. These artists, known not only for their musical talents but also for their dedication to educating the next generation of musicians, shared the stage to highlight the role of music in expanding our understanding of the world and connecting us to one another.

The concert was curated in collaboration with Trinity Church Wall Street, with programming consultant Annie Ohayon and directed by Sarah Benson. In keeping with the spirit of accessibility and community engagement, tickets for the concert were offered on a Pay-What-You-Wish basis, ranging from $15 to $120 per ticket, making it accessible to a wide audience.

The event underscored PAC NYC's commitment to shining a spotlight on artists who integrate educational initiatives into their artistic practice, such as Common's Common Ground Foundation, Mahani Teave's co-founding of the Toki School of Music and the Arts, David Broza's One Million Guitars project, and Arturo O’Farrill's global teaching efforts. 

"Playing it Forward: School as Refuge" was not just a concert but a celebration of music's enduring power to unite and inspire, making it a memorable night for all who attended.

Playing It Forward: School As Refuge