Boston Conservatory’s Annual Soirée Breaks Fundraising Records

Boston Conservatory at Berklee’s signature fundraiser, its annual Soirée, surpassed expectations on every front in April 2024, with a record 246 guests in attendance contributing $588,000—the most money ever raised in the history of the event. Friends and supporters of Boston Conservatory gave generously to the Richard Ortner Thrive Scholarship Fund, which helps students complete their degrees and launch sustainable careers with a minimum of student debt. 

The Soirée showcased performances by dance, theater, and music students who receive financial support from the fund—among them, musical theater major Nico Ochoa (B.F.A. '25), opera student Laura Santamaria (M.M. '25), and contemporary dance major Ana G. Delgado Cruz (B.F.A. '25), who said of Thrive, “Getting the scholarship and being able to help my parents was the most important thing in this journey. Without it, I would not be able to be here.”

By putting student performances front and center, the Soirée succeeded in showing donors precisely who their donations support and in sharing their stories with the Boston Conservatory community, says Michael Shinn, the Conservatory’s interim executive director. This year’s event exceeded fundraising goals by more than $60,000, demonstrating “the community’s unwavering support and dedication.” 

“This success reaffirms our belief in the transformative potential of arts education and our dedication to nurturing the next generation of artists and arts leaders,” Shinn says. “The impact of this achievement will resonate far beyond this event, shaping the futures of countless students for years to come.”