Third Street Music School Settlement, the nation’s longest running community school is pleased to announce this year’s Spring Gala, “Legends & Leaders” will honor Sting, Grammy Award winning musician and renowned philanthropist and Brenda Harris, Third Street Preschool teacher of 22 years. The gala, being held on May 16, pays tribute to honorees for their philanthropic contributions and leadership in supporting the arts and music education.

A long time supporter of music education and an activist for creative arts, Sting will receive Third Street’s Award for Distinguished Achievement in the Arts, joining a roster of previous honorees that includes Yoko Ono, Harold Prince, Philip Glass, and Audra McDonald. The gala raises funds to support Third Street’s work in changing lives through music and arts will be hosted by Pat Kiernan, News Anchor of NY1.

"I applaud Third Street Music School Settlement’s commitment to arts and culture and am honored to be celebrating with such a historic and essential organization,” said Gala Honoree Sting.

“Third Street is proud to celebrate our 121st anniversary with two incredible honorees this year -- Sting and Brenda Harris. We are delighted to acknowledge them for their long legacy of advocating and building musicianship and artistic creativity in their communities and beyond.” said Third Street Music School Settlement’s Anna-Maria Kellen Executive Director, Valerie G. Lewis. “The funds raised from the gala are crucial in ensuring that Third Street furthers our commitment in providing access and quality arts and music education for all those who seek its enrichment.”

The Gala Co-chairs are Margaret Crotty and Rory Riggs, Carina Liebeknecht and Andrew Dietderich, Melanie and Neal McKnight, Katie and Matt Sperling. Anniversary Co-chairs include Lisa and Brian Byala, Annabelle Garrett, Jeannie Park and Larry Hackett. Honorary Co-chairs comprise of Barbara E. Field, Philip Glass and Harold Prince.

Taking place at Capitale (130 Bowery in Lower Manhattan), the evening begins with a cocktail reception at 6:00pm, followed by dinner and an awards program at 7:00pm. This event will bring together hundreds of luminaries from the worlds of arts, culture, education, media, business, finance and philanthropy for a night of celebration and giving back. Support through attendance, live and silent auction participation and donations will help raise funds that will go towards scholarships and financial aid services for our students at Third Street.

In attendance will be representatives from the Anna-Maria and Stephen Kellen Foundation, Clarfeld Financial Services, Ernst & Young, Steinway & Sons, Putney, Twombly Hall & Hirson LLP, TD Bank and Westerman Construction Co., Inc. The official media sponsor of the gala is NY1.

Tickets to the event start at $500 per person and $5,000 per table. For more information about the Third Street Music School Spring Gala, please contact Katherine Nemeth at 212-777-3240 ext. 26 or email gala@thirdstreetmusicschool.org. For updates, please visit thirdstreetmusicschool.org/gala.

About Third Street

Founded in 1894, Third Street Music School Settlement is that nation’s longest running community music school with its roots tied to the late 19th century settlement house movement. Instrumental in establishing community arts education in the United States, Third Street has been changing lives and its community by providing access and high-quality music and arts instruction to students of all ages and backgrounds, regardless of artistic experience or economic circumstances. Today, Third Street serves over 5,000 students annually, helping them thrive in school and in life by promoting healthy personal and academic development, opening avenues to further study, sparking professional careers in the arts and instilling a lifelong love of learning.

Located on East 11th Street in the heart of the East Village, Third Street offers early childhood classes, a unique music-centered preschool, after-school and Saturday programs for children and teens, as well as daytime and evening programs for adults. It also provides in-school arts education through more than 27 school and community partnerships across the city, as well as a year-round schedule of more than 250 public performances. Third Street alumni, many who are professional artists, include violist Masumi Per Rostad of the acclaimed Pacifica String Quartet; 1920’s hit-maker Irving Caesar 9Tea for Two, Bobby Lopez, co-writer of the hit Broadway musical Avenue Q and Academy Award-winning writer of "Let It Go" from Disney's Frozen; Ingrid Michaelson, pop singer/songwriter with hits on the Top 40 charts; and Jessie Montgomery, recipient of the Sphinx Award.