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Photos/Jon Chattman

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Rodd Berro, president of the Music Conservatory for Westchester’s Board of Trustees, spoke about the drive of the conservatory’s late Executive Director Carol Shiffman.
By Sarina Trangle

Friends, family, and fellow music lovers gathered at the Music Conservatory of Westchester Friday to pay tribute to the art school’s former Executive Director Carol Shiffman, who lost her battle with breast cancer on Oct. 24.

Jean Newton, the new executive director, said Shiffman helped transform the Music Conservatory of Westchester into “a hub for the arts” by adding more jazz and modern music to the White Plains-based non-profit.

“She was an amazing woman,” said Newton. “She lit up the room with her worth and her passion for the arts. She always wanted to connect people to the arts.”

The “Share the Light: Celebrating the Life of Carol Shiffman” concert Friday evening included performances from the conservatory students, faculty, and a finale by an Israeli jazz band with dance accompaniment.

Shiffman, who died at age 65, grew up in dancing in her mother’s Queens Arts Center. She eventually opened her own Momentum Dance Company in Los Angeles, where she met her husband Larry Harbison.

Shiffman led several multi-arts organizations across the country, served as the SUNY Purchase Dance Dean and began as the conservatory’s executive director in July 2009.

Harbison, 67, said the concert was a nice tribute to his wife. Shiffman always enjoyed showing students they had the power to create.

“One of the most pertinent things about her teaching was helping individuals discover their creative power. Regardless of what they did after that, young people would come and discover they could create. Later we would run into them and they would say it helped them do whatever it is that they did with their lives,” said Harbison.

The conservatory and Harbison have established The Carol Shiffman Fund to continue the late Rye resident’s work.

Rodd Berro, president of the conservatory’s board of trustees, said the fund felt appropriate because Shiffman had always been diligently pushing the conservatory forward.

“Her motto was you start on time and you end on time. Not that you didn’t get stuff done, but that it had to happen. Unfortunately she didn’t have enough time here to get all her work done. But we hope to get some of it done for her,” said Berro.

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MCW faculty member Irena Portenko, Shiffman, and MCW Trustee Mary Bianco smile following an event last year.

Music Conservatory of Westchester (MCW), a non-profit community school of the arts, will celebrate the life of their recently deceased Executive Director Carol Shiffman with a special tribute concert, Share the Light: Celebrating the Life of Carol Shiffman, on Friday, Nov. 18 at  7 p.m. The evening will include performances by Shiffman’s Conservatory “family” and friends.

Shiffman, 65, passed away on Oct. 24 from breast cancer after a long, courageous battle.  She was appointed as Executive Director in July 2009 during the Conservatory’s landmark 80^th anniversary. Previously the Dean of the SUNY Purchase Conservatory of Dance, Shiffman led one of the country’s preeminent arts institutions with world renowned faculty. She was nationally recognized for her work in arts administration, music, dance, arts education, and was a former dance instructor, performer, and choreographer.

“While we mourn Carol each day, we wanted to celebrate all that she meant to us at the Conservatory with a grand concert featuring her MCW family and friends. To paraphrase a speech she once gave, she may have been small in stature but took mighty big steps,” said Jon Chattman, director of communications.

In two-and-a-half years at the Conservatory, Shiffman provided extraordinary leadership, passion, and organizational development.  Specifically, she increased student opportunities, chartered innovative partnerships, and received sizable grants for both educational programming and building preservation.

“She was a true champion of the arts who cared so very deeply for this organization. Her impact on the Conservatory, its students, faculty, board, and staff will be felt for years to come,” Board President Rodd Berro said.

“Her enthusiasm and dedication to the Conservatory was remarkable,” he added. “She was a person who was always moving forward, always pushing for improvement yet always cognizant and caring of the people around her. She will be greatly missed at the Conservatory. I will miss her friendship.”

Adding to that, MCW Trustee Mary Bianco, said, “She told me on more than one occasion, ‘this is my dream job………what I spent my life preparing for’ and how evident this was in Carol’s eyes, smiles and words. How fortunate we are to have Carol to remind us of the wonders and the possibilities going forward; and how we shall delight her by accomplishing her dreams and ours.”

In partnership with Shiffman’s husband, Larry Harbison, the Conservatory has created The Carol Shiffman Fund in honor of its namesake and her lifelong passion for the arts.

For more information on this free concert event on Nov. 18, please visit www.sharethelight.eventbrite.com. If you would like to donate to The Carol Shiffman Fund, please visit www.musicconservatory.org or send donations to Music Conservatory of Westchester, 216 Central Avenue, White Plains, N.Y., 10606. Please make checks out to “Music Conservatory of Westchester” with “Carol Shiffman Fund” in the memo line.

The Music Conservatory of Westchester can be reached at (914) 761-3900 or by visiting www.musicconservatory.org.

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James Wu (of White Plains) did the monster mash in his best Frankenstein attire at the Music Conservatory of Westchester’s (MCW) Suzuki Halloween concert.

Dressed in a gown fit for a princess, Victoria Hagen (of White Plains) performs in front of an enthusiastic crowd at the Music Conservatory of Westchester’s (MCW) recent Suzuki Halloween concert in White Plains.

Jordan Bayrooti (of Tuckahoe) entertains on his violin while festively dressed as a pirate at the Music Conservatory of Westchester’s (MCW) recent Suzuki Halloween concert.

Photos/Cathy Pinsky

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Acclaimed children’s entertainer David Gonzalez (fourth from left) was the featured performer at the Music Therapy Institute’s (MTI) 25^th Anniversary Celebration, held recently in White Plains. MTI, which is part of the Music Conservatory of Westchester, addresses the physical, emotional, social, and cognitive well being of children and adults with a wide variety of special needs. Also in attendance were (left to right) Lisa Sandagata, Phyllis Bethel, Donald Stevens, David Gonzalez, James Maxson, and Tina Brescia.

Upcoming events benefiting MTI include Novembowl at Grand Prix New York’s Spins Bowl, a state-of-the-art bowling center and lounge located at 333 Bedford Road, Mount Kisco. The event will take place on Thursday, November 17, from 6:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. Cost ranges from $50 – 60 and includes bowling, kart racing, food, drinks, and live music from the Conservatory. For more information on this event or to learn more about MTI, please call 914-761-3900. www.musicconservatory.org  Photo by: Jon Chattman

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Vocalist Jessica Medoff partners with her husband and MCW faculty member Michael Bunchman for Music Conservatory of Westchester’s Downtown Music at Grace Series. The duo performed at Grace Church in White Plains. (Photos/Robin Klein)

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David Aaron Carpenter, an internationally acclaimed soloist, was a featured performer at Music Conservatory of Westchester’s Salomé Chamber Orchestra concert featuring the music of Mozart, Nyman, and Piazzolla. The Salomé Chamber Orchestra is an electrifying, conductor-less string ensemble based in New York City. Upcoming events at the Conservatory include “David Gonzalez Live!” a special concert celebrating Music Therapy Institute’s 25th Anniversary. Tickets are $15; $10 for senior citizens; free for students and faculty. Saturday, October 22 at 3:00 p.m. For more information on this event, please call 914-761-3900 or purchase tickets at www.davidgonzalez.eventbrite.com. Photo by: Jon Chattman

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The Music Conservatory of Westchester presented the Salome Chamber Orchestra, featuring internationally-acclaimed soloists David Aaron Carpenter and Mihai Marica, live in its Recital Hall yesterday. The chamber played the music of Mozart, Nyman and Piazzolla.
Photo/Jon Chattman

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Music Conservatory of Westchester is pleased to present the Salome Chamber Orchestra, featuring internationally-acclaimed  soloists David Aaron Carpenter and Mihai Marica, live in its Recital Hall. The chamber will play the music of Mozart, Nyman and Piazzolla. A reception will follow. FREE for MCW students and their families! Get Tickets HERE!

For more information on Salome, read this wonderful article from the Wall Street Journal!

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