OmniARTS Foundation launches ‘Lean On Me’ Concerts for COVID-19 Relief featuring Isabel Leonard, Ricky Ian Gordon, J’Nai Bridges, Fred Hersch, and mor

      Media Contacts: Ras Dia (PR & Marketing Director), ras@leanonmeconcerts.com 

Alice Chung (PR & Marketing Assistant),     marketing@leanonmeconcerts.com

Upcoming Classical, Musical Theater, and Jazz programs to benefit the First Responders Children's Foundation, New Music Solidarity Fund, and Artist Relief Tree

NEW YORK - The OmniARTS Foundation will present Lean On Me: A Virtual Concert Series for COVID-19 Relief on Saturdays, May 23, 30, and June 6, 2020 at 4 pm EDT/1 pm PDT, co-produced by OmniARTS Founder Amanda Austin with Jonathan Estabrooks, and presented LIVE via Facebook and YouTube with support from Facebook Optics, This series will be hosted by composers Lori Laitman, Tom Cipullo, jazz legend Fred Hersch, and two-time Grammy award-winning, Metropolitan Opera star and host of Isa Chats, mezzo-soprano Isabel Leonard.

"I am so happy to lend my time and voice to the Lean On Me Concerts.  This is a global effort," said Leonard. "Although, I am not a doctor, and cannot perform life-saving procedures, I do believe that music and art can absolutely heal the body and soul."

Saara Khan, Engineering Lead, Augmented and Virtual Reality at Facebook said, "Lean On Me Concerts are tapping into the beauty of the arts to benefit the most vulnerable populations from COVID-19.  Their ability to have art intersect the most major societal challenges we face is incredibly powerful."

Broadcasts will feature live, pre-recorded, and improvised performances, with a rost of emerging and established artists including composer and pianist Ricky Ian Gordon (Intimate Apparel at Lincoln Center Theater), and Brandie Sutton (The Gershwins' Porgy & Bess at the Metropolitan Opera) for American Song on May 23, jazz legend Fred Hersch, Emmy(R) nominated actress Olivia Manning (Butterbean's Cafe), and Gloria Manning (Broadway's The Lion King and Tina) for Jazz, Musical Theater, and Cabaret on May 30, and Metropolitan Opera artists Will Liverman (Marnie, The Magic Flute, and Ahknaten) and J'Nai Bridges (Akhnaten, Carmen) with Houston Grand Opera assistant conductor Kevin Miller for Opera on June 6.

Each concert benegits COVID-19 relief work by providing emergency funding to charity partners including the First Responders Children's Foundation, New Music Solidarity Fund, and Artist Relief Tree (recently featured on PBS NewsHour, and supported by George R. R. Martin, Sir Lenny Henry, Russell Brand, and Brene Brown).  The series aims to foster interdisciplinary collaboration through partnership with visual artists and dances, including The Big Muddy Dance Company.  All artists will work together to present selections requested by, and dedicated to essential workers.

All concerts are free and accessible; to attend, visit @OmniARTSFoundation on Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, or theomniartsfoundation.com.  Donations are encouraged, and a suggested donation of $35 USD is payable via theomniartsfoundation.com/donate-to-lean-on-me.

If you are an organization that would like to join this series as a live broadcast partner (on Facebook or YouTube), please email production@leanonmeconcerts.com.

Multimedia: Promotional material for Lean On Me concert series, and additional info about programs are available here.

(Multimedia credit: OmniARTS Foundation)

About the OmniARTS Foundation

Founded in 2019, the OmniARTS Foundation is a non-profit arts organization founded by Manhattan School of Music alumna Amanda Austin. OmniARTS fosters collaboration between two or more artists of varying disciplines in performance events, arts education, and new work commissions.