Musicians Foundation

04/15/2026

Cindy Shea leads the group Mariachi Divas de Cindy Shea . She has won multiple Grammy awards and continues to perform throughout the world. When the Los Angeles fires struck in early 2025, we provided a grant to Cindy when all work was cancelled. Cindy said "many homes were completely lost and no one was having entertainment ... workload stopped abuptly, but the mortgage and bills didn't stop. Thank you to Musicians Foundation for being there when we're having a rough time during disasters like the fires and the pandemic... you have always been there!"

03/11/2026

Longtime music educator and performer Teresa A. Pash has served her community with wonderful music and teaching for decades. After we helped with an essential bill, Teresa wrote, "Out of sheer desperation, I did a search... that's when I found Musicians Foundation as my first source of real help. While completing the application, I received a helpful and kind phone call... true understanding and compassion. As I had never applied for a grant before, I was helped when I had questions. I received a grant towards my car payment, but more than that, I recevied a sense of hope for the first time in a long while. I cannot say though you enough, Musicians Foundation! You are a bright and shining star." For well over 100 years, we've helped artists like Teresa keep the music playing.

02/27/2026

Vocalist and guitarist Michael Coleman, a longtime jazz, blues, and theater musician applied for a grant after heart surgery, which forced him to miss important work. After receiving a grant to help with rent, Michael wrote, "I want to personally thank Musicians Foundation for coming through for me in my difficult time of need. I am very grateful for the organization for helping me and other musicians across the country. My need was met. For what they were able to do, it was a blessing."

02/23/2026

Penny Framstad is a singer-songwriter and educator whose work has been feature on major soundtracks and top selling records. After we helped with her rent while dealing with a passing in her family, she wrote, "Musicians Foundation assisted me when I had no where else to turn. I am eternally grateful for their support when I needed it most." For over 100 years, we've helped musicians like Penny and are committed to continuing the work.

02/20/2026

Drummer has performed and recorded with numerous bands throughout the world. After providing him with one of our grants, he wrote, "...I have gone through some of the hardest events of my life... including a total knee replacement. I'm a full time professional drummer and was out of work due to the recovery time. After reaching out to Musicians Foundation, I was so encouraged... they were extremely helpful and paid for some of my rent. I am so thankful and blessed to have come across Musicians Foundation. It's a great resrouce available to full time working musicians." We're grateful to be able to support important artists like Dango.

02/17/2026

We spoke with Clive Gillinson, Executive and Artistic Director of Carnegie Hall, at an intimate event last year in SoHo. Champions and visionaries of the arts, like Clive, are essential players in creating a sustainable future for music and musicians. He said, "The first question you ask always defines your path. And the first question I ask is, how do we serve people's lives through music? ...What matters is how the insitution serves people... every single question you ask thereafter leads you [on] your path."

02/12/2026

Housing insecurity isn't an abstract problem; it's a reality many professional musicians experience firsthand.

A large percentage of our grants go toward supporting musicians' rent or mortgage payments.

That was the case of Jose Hernandez, who said: "I am ever thankful for the assistance I received from Musicians Foundation. I was at risk of losing my apartment in San Francisco. In an incredibly difficult rental market,... being able to keep this apartment while I was out of work was a relief. Many thanks to Musicians Foundation for their support."

02/06/2026

“Even almost a lifetime of work as a musician or performing artist... does not guarantee security, and certainly, in my case and many others’, trying to sustain an expensive healthcare commitment... is extremely stressful... Your help came at just the right time.”
Violinist Kate Light (1960-2016)

Kate, thank you for all your contributions to NYC through your music and art. You are greatly missed!

12/12/2025

About last night… marvelous performance by Leland Ko, Naumburg Cello Competition Winner in 2024, and Adria Ye (piano). It was so wonderful to go back to Carnegie Hall, where all began, and to witness the superb work of the Walter N. Naumburg Foundation. Kudos to all!

11/27/2025

Grateful to all the musicians who enrich our communities with their music, and to all our friends and donors who support our work. We couldn't do what we do without them.

Wishing everyone a happy Thanksgiving!

10/30/2025

An insightful conversation between Maestro Riccardo Frizza and Fred Plotkin in a gorgeous venue, the United Palace. If you couldn't make it, stay tuned: a video recording will come soon!

10/03/2025

We're thrilled to invite you to join Maestro Riccardo Frizza in conversation with Fred Plotkin on Monday, October 20, at 7 pm at the United Palace.

An evening of music, inspiration, and camaraderie.

Free admission. RSVP below.

Riccardo Frizza United Palace Fred Plotkin

https://unitedpalace.boletosexpress.com/event.php?event_id=84609&fbclid=PAZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAaeicNPENO1XptiQ8ohxZy7581OwFC6aG3ueCFIj1-Rqnm9t95wLI7dyf9oTGQ_aem_IVN56Hzik0EGmStQNBP5Ew

Thrilled to join for an evening of conversation on 20th October at the United Palace in NYC. Presented by the Musicians Foundation, we’ll be diving into everything from the new production of "Sonnambula" at The Metropolitan Opera to what really happens 𝘽𝙚𝙝𝙞𝙣𝙙 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝘽𝙖𝙩𝙤𝙣.

🎟 Free admission (reservation recommended)
https://unitedpalace.boletosexpress.com/event.php?event_id=84609