Dear Jazz Lovers,

As we enjoy the final weeks of summer, I am writing to share my story of how our free summer concerts shaped my love for live music. For those who don't know me, my name is Clara Winder and I'm the Marketing Director at Jazz Forum Arts. This fall will mark my sixth anniversary of working at JFA, but I was first introduced to this wonderful organization 23 years ago during the Dobbs Ferry Summer Music Series.

Since I was five years old, my Wednesday summer evenings were spent with family and friends at the Dobbs Ferry Waterfront. The concerts transformed my village park into a haven of music, drawing people from all walks of life to sway, tap their feet, and simply lose themselves in the euphoria of live performances. I have vivid memories of racing around picnic blankets with friends and laying in the grass in front of the stage as the joyful sound of the music washed over us. It was in those moments that I first found my passion for live music and witnessed the sense of community that music can inspire.

So many things change when you move away from your childhood hometown and it's a comfort to return year after year to the same summer concerts that inspired me as a child. I am proud that I work for an organization that continues to provide this cultural treasure to our community. 

The summer concerts have been a fixture in my life for the past 23 years. Please donate to our JAZZ FOR ALL summer campaign to ensure that future generations can share the transformative power of live music. My nephew was born last Friday and I am already planning for his first experience joining me and our family in reveling in the music and community at the waterfront.

INSPIRE FUTURE MUSIC LOVERS