The First Annual ABC Gala was held on Monday evening April 14, 2008 in Weill Recital Hall at Carnegie Hall.

The funds raised from the event will provide study and career development scholarships for winners of the Alexander & Buono Competitions; grants to attend Musica e Arte, ABC’s annual music festival of master classes and performances held in Tolentino, Italy; business seminars specifically designed for musicians; and recitals at the C. Bechstein Auditorium and other venues to enhance visibility, awareness, and support for vocal and piano artists fully committed to having professional careers.

This year’s Gala featured a cocktail reception, performances by First Prize Winners of both competitions, and an awards ceremony honoring Dee Soder, founder of The CEO Perspective Group, and the nation’s leading advisor to CEOs, and Kay Yamamoto, President of the Greenwich International Conservatory of Music.