Kadisha Onalbayeva - President & Artistic Director Gabriella Loiacano - Assistant to the President Phyllis Condon - Membership Director Malika Coleman – Treasurer

Jackie Benson - Web Designer Yuliya Brown - Graphic Designer Miriam Overton – Donor Relations, Grants Danise Beadle - Event Coordinator

Dear Friends, As we celebrate the ninth anniversary of the Gulf Coast Steinway Society (GCSS), your support makes it possible for the GCSS to share wonderful music with our communities at the GCSS Annual Music Competition and at the Winners Concert at Carnegie Hall. Your support has an even farther reach - bringing music into schools across the Gulf Coast, reaching thousands of students per year! In recognition of these efforts, the Gulf Coast Steinway Society has been selected for the 2022 Best of Mobile Award in the Association/Organization category by the Mobile Award Program! Escalating cuts in funding for public music education over the last eight years have led to the deletion of most instrumental music classes and music education programs from school curricula; especially at the elementary school level. GCSS has responded by filling in some of these gaps. Since its establishment in 2014, GCSS has been true to its mission, sharing high quality, inspiring music programs with students in our region. The GCSS is governed by a board of directors, who serve without compensation. This group of dedicated individuals have made it their mission to further music education of young musicians along the Gulf Coast region by offering: • Music Scholarships • Annual Gulf Coast Steinway Music Competition where winners are invited to perform at the Weill Recital Hall at Carnegie Hall, NYC. • Music programs in public and private schools, colleges, and universities. • Musical events throughout the year at no charge including recitals, concerts, workshops, and master classes. As President and Founder of the Gulf Coast Steinway Society, along with members, donors, and volunteers, I appeal to you to continue supporting our mission. We thrive because of generous community support across the Gulf Coast! With YOUR help, literally thousands of students will have the world opened to them through music! Thank you and I hope to see you again at another GCSS event or concert during the coming year. Very sincerely yours, Dr. Kadisha Onalbayeva President & Artistic Director Gulf Coast Steinway Society Steinway Artist