It’s always such a special experience to feel music as well as hear it. That’s what happened at Carnegie Hall‘s opening night this week when I sat in the front row with my fabulous friend, Tara. The Berlin Philharmonic was conducted by Kirill Petrenko with Jonas Kaufmann as the soloist. Because we were sitting so close, we could see every expression and feel the emotion from Petrenko and every performer on the stage. We were immersed in the physicality of their performance, feeling their joy, pain, regret, and inspiration.
While I loved every piece, the one that still has me smiling is Pini di Roma (Pines of Rome) by Ottorino Respighi. I had never heard of the piece or the composer. It premiered in the U.S. 100 years ago at Carnegie Hall, performed by the New York Philharmonic. Its 4 sections are alternately playful, solemn, wonder-filled, frightening, and triumphant. To close out the piece and the performance, horn players were staged in the balcony of the Hall, announcing the hope and victory of better days. My eyes were misty and so were Tara’s. The audience jumped up for a standing ovation. Petrenko was thrilling to watch. Smiling and cheering for the orchestra members, and having them acknowledge the praise, elevated the whole evening for us.
I feel lucky to work for an organization that gives people this kind of experience—one that stays with them long after the final note, an organization that connects people through music, an organization that is an instrument of peace, awe, curiosity, and sheer happiness.
(And of course we had to round out the evening with delicious charbroiled oysters and NA prosecco at Tanner Smith’s, one of my favorite places in the neighborhood!)
The short of it:
Writer. Health, education, and art advocate. Theater and film producer. Visual artist. Product geek. Proud alumnae of the University of Pennsylvania (BA) and the Darden School of Business at the University of Virginia (MBA). Inspired by ancient wisdom & modern tech. Proliferator of goodness. Opener of doors. Friend to animals. Fan of creative work in all its wondrous forms. I use my business skills to create passion projects that build a better world. I’ve been called the happiest New Yorker, and I try hard to live up to that title every day.
The long of it:
My career has stretched across Capitol Hill, Broadway theatre, education, nonprofit fundraising, health and wellness, and Fortune 500 companies in retail, media, entertainment, technology, and financial services. I’ve been a product developer and product manager, theater manager, strategic consultant, marketer, voice over artist, , teacher, and fundraiser. I use my business and storytelling to support and sustain passion projects that build a better world. In every experience, I’ve used my sense of and respect for elegant design to develop meaningful products, services, programs, and events.
While building a business career, I also built a strong portfolio as a journalist, novelist, freelance writer, interviewer, presenter, and public speaker. My writing has appeared in The Washington Post, The Huffington Post, PBS.org, Boston.com, Royal Media Partners publications, and The Motley Fool on a wide range of topics including business, technology, science, health, education, culture, and lifestyle. I have also been an invited speaker at SXSW, Teach for America, Avon headquarters, Games for Change, NYU, Columbia University, Hunter College, and the Alzheimer’s Foundation of America. The first book in my young adult book series, Emerson Page and Where the Light Enters, was acquired by a publisher and launched in November 2017. I’m currently working on the second book in the series.
A recovering multi-tasker, I’m equally at home in front of my Mac, on my yoga mat, walking my rescue dog, Phineas, traveling with a purpose, or practicing the high-art of people watching. I also cut up small bits of paper and put them back together as a collage artist.
My company:
I’m bringing together all of my business and creative career paths as the Founder of Double or Nothing Media:
• I craft products, programs, and projects that make a difference;
• I build the business plans that make what I craft financially sustainable;
• I tell the stories that matter about the people, places, and products that inspire me.
Follow my adventures on Twitter at https://twitter.com/christanyc and Instagram at https://instagram.com/christarosenyc.
View all posts by Christa Avampato
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