Gotham Early Music Scene (GEMS) has accepted the resignations of Joe Chappel and Michele Kennedy as co-directors of our Open Gates Project, devoted to diversifying the community of performers and audiences for early music. Joe and Michele initiated the Project in the depths of the pandemic in the spring of 2020, and ably shepherded it through four concerts in the 2021–22 concert season. As their own artistic careers have burgeoned post-pandemic and their time has become limited, GEMS will be seeking new leadership for the Project to build upon the firm foundation the founding co-directors have created.
Plans for the Open Gates Project 2022–23 Season are still underway. Watch this space for more information in the coming months!
Thanks to everyone who made our first season successful!
Click here to view the February concert
Click here to view the November concert
Enjoy the photos below (click on the gallery to view larger), and this wonderful review from our February concert.
"The sparkling performances showed that Open Gates is not a mere lip-service DEI gesture like some of those cropping up in business and the arts today."
https://gemsny.org/opengates#sigProId5a6b5003ca
Read our full mission and vision statement and the personal story of co-founder Joe Chappel
WHO WE ARE: Co-Founders, Joe Damon Chappel & Michele Kennedy
Conversations: conversations with the co-founders
Get to Know our Artists in These Intro Videos
Open Gates Project Statement of Solidarity with the AAPI Community
The Open Gates Project is made possible with a generous grant from the Howard Gilman Foundation; funding from The New York State Council on the Arts with the support of Governor Kathy Hochul and the New York State Legislature; and public funds from the New York City Department of Cultural affairs in partnership with the City Council.