Gaudium Award 2012
On Monday, November 12, 2012, The Breukelein Institute once again conferred its Gaudium Award upon a quartet of remarkable men and women. Held during its annual fund raising dinner at the Yale Club, this year’s honorees include:
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KT Sullivan
Oklahoma native, Kathleen Sullivan comes from a large musical performing family. Trained in in classical opera, KT turned to Broadway, Cabaret rooms and recording studios for her highly successful career. She had performed in every major US and European venue where the American Songbook is celebrated. She has appeared also successfully at the Paper Mill Playhouse, The Hartford Stage and the Goodspeed Opera house. Her available CDs celebrate Cole Porter, Irving Berlin, Dorothy Fields, Harold Arlen, Richard Rogers among many others. KT Sullivan Downey was recently named Artistic Director of the Mabel Mercer Foundation.
Joseph V. Melillo
Since 1999, Joseph Melillo had guided the artistic direction of the Brooklyn Academy of Music to internationally recognized success. Under his direction, programming and attendance at BAM major theatre spaces have significantly increased. He has furthered the global reach of BAM’s mission by welcoming international acting projects like the bridge project and the Old Vic companies. He has overseen the expansion of its campus to include the intimate BAM Fisher Theatre and another stage for its now famous New Wave Festival. Holding degrees in English, theatre, speech and drama, Mr. Melillo has been honored by governments of France, Sweden and Taiwan.
Byron Janis
Born in Pennsylvania, Byron Janis has been at the piano since the age of four. Vladimir Horowitz heard the 16 year Janis play and invited him to work with him for four years. In 1960, he was chosen to be the first American to be sent to the Soviet Union in cultural exchange. For over sixty years, he has performed countless sold-out American and world tours for which he has been repeatedly honored in addition to mentoring young musical talent, Mr. Janis focuses also on research for juvenile arthritis, a condition he himself has suffered with for decades.
Elizabeth Swados
A native of Buffalo, New York, Elizabeth Swados has achieved success as a composer, playwright, director, and author. Her first major success, Runaways, received five Tony nominations. She has received an Obie Award as a director. As a composer, she has written music for films and television collaborating with Milos Forman, Marlon Brando and Sean Penn. She has publishing novels, non-fiction and nine children’s books. A graduate of Bennington College, Ms. Swados is the recipient of numerous international fellowships, citations and awards including an honorary Doctorate from William Smith College.