Dignity Music is a 501(c)(3) non-profit founded in 2016 by New Haven-based cellist Ravenna Michalsen. It has a dual mission of presenting concerts focusing on climate change - celebrating, contemplating and grieving the changing earth and our role in those changes - and providing free live classical concerts for the unhomed and marginally homed.
Dignity Music is a project designed to awaken the heart through music.
Our very first Climate Concerts are this September!
At "Heron Marsh Trail" at Paul Smith's College's VIC (Visitors' Interpretive Center)
Who we are:
Dignity Music musicians are professional classical players with a commitment to the environment and social justice. Concerts at breakfast or soup kitchens or day programs for the unhomed are almost always performed by duets of cello-violin, cello-cello, flute-flute, etc. and are completely free to the hosting organization. Climate Change Concerts are performed by a variety of ensembles and solo piano. Concerts are supported by donors and grants from the City of New Haven and the State of Connecticut.
If your organization is interested in hosting a Dignity Music concert or a Climate Change Concert, please be in touch! RavennaM@gmail.com
Board:
| Ravenna Michalsen | Treasurer and Director |
| Jenny Beene-Skuban, Esq | Secretary |
| Melinda Jen Capell, MD | |
| Seth Zaleski |
At "Heron Marsh Trail" at Paul Smith's College's VIC (Visitors' Interpretive Center)
Donate:
At "Heron Marsh Trail" at Paul Smith's College's VIC (Visitors' Interpretive Center)
News:
June 2022
I took Dignity Music on the road and gave five concerts in Washington D.C. and Philadelphia at Martha's Table, McKenna's Wagon and Project Home. I played with wonderful musician partners in both cities and hope that they will continue this type of work!
Spring 2020
I am taking Dignity Music on the road! My hope is to spread the idea of performing live classical music in kitchens and housing programs by pairing with local musicians in Pennsylvania, West Virginia, Ohio, Tennessee, Virginia, and Washington D.C.! I am excited to plan trip, prepare lots of music, meet new musicians and work with homelessness advocates along the way. If you would like to help me with this, please consider donating. All musicians will be paid $100 per service; the concerts are provided free of charge to the organization.
2019
Dignity Music was awarded a City of New Haven Mayor's Community Arts Grant from the Department of Arts, Culture and Tourism for the second time.
2017
Dignity Music was awarded a City of New Haven Mayor's Community Arts Grant from the Department of Arts, Culture and Tourism.
Article in Hartford Magazine:
2016
