2012 Kaufman Center Honors
The 2012 Kaufman Center Gala was held on Thursday, April 26, at 583 Park Avenue.
View photos of the Gala.
This year’s event honored David Israelite, President and Chief Executive Officer of the National Music Publishers’ Association; and Ginny Mancini, arts leader and philanthropist. The elegant evening included a cocktail reception, seated dinner and a concert by Lucy Moses School and Special Music School students and professional artists. Ann Hampton Callaway performed in a special tribute to our honorees. For more information, please call 212 501 3350.
The Gala is our biggest annual fundraising event and honors individuals who are committed to the performing arts and arts education. Past honorees have included Cy Coleman, John Sykes, Betty Comden, Aaron Copland, Alan Menken, Joseph Papp and Scott Stringer.
There are many ways to support the Gala. Tickets start at $1,000 and tables, at $10,000. You can also purchase a journal ad— or simply make a contribution in any amount, if you are not able to join us. Special discounts are available for Kaufman Center families. To purchase tickets, tables or journal ads, or to make a contribution, please call 212 501 3350. You can also download a reply card that can be faxed to 212 874 7865 or mailed to the Development Department, Kaufman Center, 129 W. 67th St., New York, NY 10023.
2012 Honoree Bios
David Mark Israelite is the President and Chief Executive Officer of the National Music Publishers’ Association. Founded in 1917, The National Music Publishers' Association (NMPA) is the premiere trade association representing American music publishers and their songwriter partners. The NMPA's mandate is to protect and advance the interests of music publishers and their songwriter partners in matters relating to the domestic and global protection of music copyrights. Music publishers control the copyrights for the underlying compositions of songs on behalf of the songwriters they represent. The Harry Fox Agency, Inc., the leading U.S. mechanical rights organization, is a wholly owned subsidiary of the NMPA.
From 2001 through early 2005 Israelite served as Deputy Chief of Staff and Counselor to the Attorney General of the United States. In this capacity he helped manage the United States Department of Justice’s 112,000 employees and $22 billion annual budget. In addition to his general management responsibilities, Israelite served as the Attorney General’s personal advisor on all legal, strategic and public affairs issues. In March of 2004, the Attorney General appointed Israelite Chairman of the Department’s Task Force on Intellectual Property. As Chairman Israelite lead a team of high-ranking officials in examining all aspects of how the Department of Justice handled intellectual property issues and implemented proposals developed by the Task Force.
From 1994 through 1997, Israelite practiced law in the Commercial Litigation Department at the firm of Bryan Cave, LLP in Kansas City, Missouri. Israelite earned his Juris Doctor from the University of Missouri in 1994 and received a B.A. in a double major of Political Science and Communications from William Jewell College in 1990. While in college, Israelite was named Top Speaker by the National Cross Examination Debate Association, recognizing him as the nation’s top collegiate debater.
As a native Angelina Ginny Mancini enjoyed a flourishing singing career, performing with Mel Torme, the Mel-Tones and the Tex Beneke/Glenn Miller Orchestra before marrying composer/conductor Henry Mancini. As a long time supporter of the Southern California arts community, Mrs. Mancini is a Founding Member of the Henry Mancini Institute, UCLA School of the Arts and Architecture’s Board of Visitors, Board Member of the ASCAP Foundation, Secretary of the Geffen Playhouse, and Vice-President of the Los Angeles Philharmonic.
She served as the past president of the Henry Mancini Institute, the Royce Center Circle UCLA Performing Arts, and SHARE. She served as past chairman, president and co-founder of the Society of Singers.
Mrs. Mancini received the Frost Legacy Award (2011) from the University of Miami Frost School of Music in tribute to her transformative and inspiring support. She was awarded with a Certificate of Commendation (2008) by Idyllwild Arts in recognition of outstanding and invaluable service. She received the Legacy Award (2006) from the Henry Mancini Institute for visionary leadership in music education, the Global Arts Award (2000) from the Friendly House in recognition of her unending support of the arts worldwide, the Heritage of the Music Center Award (1999) for her significant contributions to the advancement of the performing arts, the Heart of LA Award (1999) from the Heart of Los Angeles for her commitment to the youth of Los Angeles.
She was recognized for her Outstanding Leadership (1998) by UCLA at the reopening of Royce Hall for her years of dedicated philanthropic service to the University. She was awarded the Class Act (1997) by the Los Angeles Unified School District benefiting the Friends of the School Volunteer Program, the City of Hope (1989) by the Sportsmen’s Club - City of Hope in recognition of her humanitarian spirit, the Angel Award (1988) by the International Society of Performing Arts Administrators for her untiring efforts on behalf of the arts, and the Mother of the Year (1983) by the Helping Hand of Cedars- Sinai Medical Center in recognition of her charitable work.
