Join us for an evening of inspiring performances as we celebrate three trailblazers in the creative and artistic community and honor the bold, future-shaping work of National Sawdust. This special night will shine a light on visionary artists and the institution that champions them.

Speakers and Performers:
Arooj Aftab
Chief Awósanmí Sékou Alájé
Kamilah Forbes
Japanese Breakfast
Marc Bamuthi Joseph
Lil Buck
Julia Wolfe

And many more electrifying performances!
Cover image (L-R): Meredith Monk by F. Scott Schafer; Michelle Zauner by Susan Hellman; Marc Bamuthi Joseph by Bethanie Hines
7PM COCKTAILS / 8PM DINNER AND PROGRAM
April 9, 2026
Sony Hall, NYC
BUY TICKETS
Hosted By
JOSH SHARP
Comedian, Actor, and Writer
Honoring
MEREDITH MONK
Composer, Singer and Interdisciplinary Performance Pioneer
Founder of The House and Meredith Monk & Vocal Ensemble
National Medal of Arts Recipient
Golden Lion for Lifetime Achievement in Music, Venice Biennale
MARC BAMUTHI JOSEPH
Poet, Librettist, and Equity Strategist
TED Global Fellow and Emerson Collective Dial Fellow
Vice President of Social Impact, The Kennedy Center (2019–2025)
Inaugural Recipient of the Doris Duke Performing Artist Award
MICHELLE ZAUNER (OF JAPANESE BREAKFAST)
Artist, Songwriter, and Author
Author of NY Times best-selling memoir Crying in H Mart
2-time GRAMMY Award Nominee
4-time Libera Award Winner (2022 Record of the Year, Jubilee)

JOIN US

The GRAMMY Museum
ARTISTIC PARTNER

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Ana de Archuleta
MANAGING DIRECTOR

Paola Prestini
COMPOSER, CO-FOUNDER AND ARTISTIC DIRECTOR

Nicholas Arons
BOARD CHAIR

Jill Steinberg
BOARD PRESIDENT

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Jill and Bill Steinberg
GALA CO-CHAIRS

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BENEFIT COMMITTEE
Nicholas G. Arons
Dan and Sally Breen
Kelly Clarke
Peter Faber
Kimberly T. Hastie and Timothy Welch
Lostand Foundation
Elizabeth Madigan Jost
Katsky Korins LLP
NOWFUL
Zachary and Xiaoning Smith
Kate and Roger Weitz
Ann Ziff

SUPPORTERS
Sarah Arison
Elaine and Norm Brodsky
Ted Cornwell and Pedro Carroll
Ryan Colburn and Parker J. Foard
Kristin Kovner
Helen Little
Andrea Kaliski Miller
David Orticelli
Dr. J. Thomas Roland, Jr.
David Stein
Lawrence J. Zlatkin

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Lists as of January 15, 2026

Trailblazer Tables - $50,000

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Table of 10 with premium seating, in-home concert from a National Sawdust artist, plus all benefits from below levels ($47,500 charitable contribution for tax purposes).

Creator Tables - $25,000

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Table of 10 with prime seating, name on a plaque prominently displayed in National Sawdust’s lobby, plus all benefits from below levels ($22,500 tax-deductible contribution).

Innovator Tables - $10,000

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Table of 10 with priority seating, invitations to pre- and post-concert events at National Sawdust throughout the year, plus benefits from below level ($7,500 tax-deductible contribution).

Mirror Tickets - $2,500 per seat

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Priority seating, special recognition at the gala in all printed materials ($2,250 charitable contribution for tax purposes).

Gala Tickets - $1,250 per seat

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$1,250 per seat ($1,000 charitable contribution for tax purposes).