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 80th 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.
