Performances & Events
Searchlight: 2025 Gala and Creative Catalyst Awards


In every era of uncertainty, artists and visionaries have been the true searchlights — illuminating new paths forward when the world needs them most. Join us for a celebration honoring two luminary couples who exemplify our core values of artistry, creativity, community, and equity.
Immerse yourself in a genre-bending experience rooted in Prohibition Era rebellion and Gatsby-esque opulence. This gathering of artists and their champions is a celebration of artistic disruption and all the good trouble that may come!
This musical evening will honor the past, inspire the present, and light the way for the future, while supporting our American composers through ACO's national EarShot composer advancement programs, orchestral performances, and educational initiatives.

HONOREES
Ray & Vivian Chew
Elizabeth & Justus Schlichting
GALA CHAIRS
Diana Elton
Melin Tan-Geller

HONORARY COMMITTEE
In formation
Raven Chacon
Philip Glass
George Lewis
Meredith Monk
Huang Ruo
Shanta Thake
Joan Tower
GALA COMMITTEE
In formation
ICON
Thomas Brener* and Inbal Segev
Augusta Gross* and Leslie Samuels
Justus and Elizabeth Schlichting
Melin Tan-Geller* and David Geller
Marilyn Go* and Richard Dolan, Schlam, Stone, & Dolan LLP
MAVERICK
Ray and Vivian Chew
Diana Elton
Ilya Karaulov*
Frederick Wertheim and Angelo Chan
MUSE
Alberta Arthurs
Tess Mateo* and Gary Brewster
Steinway and Sons
Judith R. and Michael E. Thoyer
EXPLORER
Atif Bhanjee
Lillian Z. Bender Fund
Scott Dunn* and Robbie Moray
Marisa Eisemann
Susan Feder and Todd Gordon
Michael Fehrman* and Andrea Luciano
Jonathan Bailey Holland*
Annette McEvoy* and Harold Bronheim
Yimin Ngan and Patricia Saich
Deborah Steinglass and Al Giammarinaro
Melinda Wagner* and Jim Saporito
Lisa Evanson Washburn*
André Washington*
Brian Waters
Philip Webb
Richard Weinert*
Shinian Ye* and Cathy Huang
SUPPORTERS
Mashey Bernstein
Jane Cavalier*
NancyBell Coe
Ruth Eliel
Corey Field
Eric Hutcherson
Ron Lipuma
Patricio Molina
Sean Statser, Kettles & Co.
Will Kerlick
Theodore Wiprud
* Indicates ACO Board Member
SPONSORSHIP & TICKETS
Purchase your tickets before the event.
Visionary $25,000
- 8 Premiere tickets to the dinner & performance with priority table placement; includes placement of two guest artists at your table, if desired
- Inside Gala Journal Cover Ad (full color)
- Recognition as an official sponsor of The New Virtuoso: For Art’s Sake ACO’s October 29, 2025 concert at Carnegie Hall
- 8 VIP tickets to ACO’s The New Virtuoso: For Art’s Sake concert at Carnegie Hall, plus invite to exclusive post-show reception
$23,000 of this purchase is tax-deductible
Icon $10,000
- 8 VIP tickets to the dinner & performance with preferred table placement; includes placement of two guest artists at your table, if desired
- Full-page Gala Journal Ad (B&W)
- Recognition as an official sponsor of The New Virtuoso: For Art’s Sake, ACO’s October 29, 2025 concert at Carnegie Hall
- 4 VIP tickets to ACO’s The New Virtuoso: For Art’s Sake concert at Carnegie Hall, plus invite to exclusive post-show reception
$8,000 of this purchase is tax-deductible
Maverick $5,000
- 4 VIP tickets to the dinner & performance, with select table placement, includes placement of one guest artist at your table, if desired
- Listing in Gala Journal
- Invitation to a special ACO insider event
$4,000 of this purchase is tax-deductible
Muse $1,500
- 1 VIP ticket to the dinner & performance with select seating
- Listing in Gala Journal
- Invitation to a special ACO insider event
$1,250 of this purchase is tax-deductible
Explorer $1000
- 1 VIP ticket to the dinner & performance
- Listing in Gala Journal
$750 of this purchase is tax-deductible
Non-Profit/Artist Ticket $300
- 1 VIP ticket to the dinner & performance
- Listing in Gala Journal
$50 of this purchase is tax-deductible