About
Who We Are
Athena Music Foundation presents dynamic performances of the highest artistic quality to diverse audiences around the world. Athena Music Foundation's programs include our global touring troupe, The Athenians, who have appeared internationally in Beijing, Dubai, and Macau. Based in New York City, the Athenians have built a reputation for their high-caliber performers, and uniquely thrilling and engaging style of opera gala concerts. Athena Music Foundation is dedicated to music education, specifically our Young Performers Program which includes opportunities for student instrumentalists and singers from diverse cultural and economic backgrounds to work with our exceptional teaching artists in lessons and performances. Athena Music Foundation honors the capacity of each child to create meaning and engender artistic imagination rooted in culturally responsive and inclusive practices. We also sponsor the Athena Music Foundation Concert Series featuring world-class artists in imaginative programs at historic venues like Carnegie Hall. Athena Music Foundation continues our commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion, and is a registered 501(c)(3) charitable organization EIN 83-0589917.
THE ATHENIANS
The Athenians are an ensemble of exceptional operatic soloists who have appeared in the world's leading opera houses, including the Metropolitan Opera, Teatro Colón, Covent Garden, and Opéra de Monte-Carlo. The Athenians specialize in uniquely engaging and thrilling opera gala concerts, tours, and staged opera productions. Shortly before the shutdown in February, 2020, The Athenians appeared at Carnegie Hall's Zankel Hall in a program for Chinese New Year. They were invited to appear with the Ocean City Pops in October in a socially distanced, in-person concert which was also live-streamed .
Our previous performances have included concerts for the 2019 World Finance United Exchange Summit in Dubai, the National Arts Club and the Consulate General of France, NYC, Vital Voices-Fortune's Most Powerful Women and the US Department of State Women's Mentoring Partnership, the Pocono Mountains Music Festival, Kamen Brain Tumor Foundation, and WeLink International Film Festival at the United Nations.
ATHENA MUSIC FOUNDATION CONCERT SERIES
Beginning in 2018, the Athena Music Foundation Concert Series has presented performances at Carnegie Hall's Weill Recital Hall, the Kosciuszko Foundation House in New York City, and Santa Barbara's historic Lobero Theater.
At Carnegie Hall, we featured world-renowned opera singer and Broadway star Alyson Cambridge in her Weill Hall solo recital debut accompanied by Dr. Michael Fennelly with special guest two-time Tony-nominated singer Constantine Maroulis.
Our performances at the Kosciuszko Foundation House in New York City have featured Metropolitan Opera tenor Gregory Lorenz singing a new arrangement by Michael Fennelly for string sextet of Six Songs from 'A Shropshire Lad' by George Butterworth, along with the Metamorphosis Chamber Orchestra in Arnold Schoenberg's intensely romantic Verklärte Nacht. We also presented Soprello, a musical collaboration between soprano Allison Pohl and cellist Alistair MacRae, in an inventive program that explored the connections between vibrating strings and the human voice.
At the historic Lobero Theatre, soprano Megan Weston and pianist Michael Fennelly presented The Paris Salon: Age of the Romantic Virtuoso. The duo performed the exhilarating and elegant music of the nineteenth century and offered illuminating insights on opera, the triumph of the international virtuoso, and importance of the salons of Paris.
YOUNG PERFORMERS PROGRAM
Athena Music Foundation's Young Performers Program gives talented student singers and instrumentalists the opportunity to work with and perform alongside professional artists in an array of socially, culturally, and artistically responsive musical performances. Athena Music Foundation honors the capacity of each child to create meaning and engender artistic imagination rooted in collaborative, respectful, and inclusive practices inspiring a lifelong love of music. Above, the Port Jervis Children's Choir in their Carnegie Hall debut with world-renowned soprano Alyson Cambridge, Music Director and pianist, Dr. Michael Fennelly, and special guest, Tony Award nominee Constantine Maroulis.
007 at swing 46 OCtober 6, 2021 at 7pm
Join stars of Broadway, The Metropolitan Opera, and Bond Girl, Lana Wood, who portrayed Plenty O'Toole in Diamonds are Forever, in a fabulous concert featuring the music of James Bond!
This incredible evening includes dinner, swing dancing, and an open bar cocktail hour. Don't miss this exciting event!
RHAPSODY IN BLUE - Joroinen Festival, FInlanD JULY 24, 2021
European debut of George Gershwin's Rhapsody in Blue arranged for chorus and jazz orchestra by Michael Fennelly. Featuring Michael Fennelly, piano, Megan Weston, soprano, the Jyväskylä Big Band, Cantinovum Chamber Choir, Rita Varonen, conductor.
Let the Voices Sing - June 23, 2021 at 6PM
An evening of music, cocktails, and dinner in support of Athena Music Foundation featuring The Athenians.
The Athenians Return Live in Concert - October 11, 2020 at 7
In their first appearance since February at Carnegie Hall, The Athenians perform LIVE with Ocean City Pops. SUNDAY - OCTOBER 11th at 7PM, Tickets $20 - LIVESTREAM ON FACEBOOK LIVE.
Featuring Cody Austin, Michael Fennelly, Megan Weston, Holly Flack, Samarie Alicea, Gustavo Feulien, Matthew Curran, and Analia Farfan.
NYC historic house concERTS (POSTPONED)
Immerse yourself in the thrilling music of grand opera with The Athenians as you tour the beautiful historic homes of New York's Five Boroughs!
These performances are free of charge and made possible through the generous sponsorship of Dame Jillian Sackler D.B.E. and Steinway & Sons
The Athenians AT CARNEGIE HALL - February 7th at 7:30PM
The Athenians join Chinese performers in a gala program celebrating Chinese New Year at Carnegie Hall, Zankel Hall.