The Center for Hearing and Communication (CHC), a nonprofit hearing healthcare center in New York that provides comprehensive services to people of all ages who are hard of hearing, deaf, or deafblind, announced its 2020 virtual gala to be held Saturday, October 17, from 7-8 PM (EDT). With a theme of Communication Without Limits, CHC Gala 2020 will honor music director, arranger, orchestrator, and composer Alex Lacamoire with CHC’s Eleanor Roosevelt Humanitarian Award. Tickets to the virtual gala are free and the show will be fully accessible to those with hearing loss through the use of a sign-language interpreter and real-time captioning. Proceeds from the event, which has raised over $16 million since its inception, will directly support CHC’s life-affirming programs and services. 

“At CHC, we strive to empower all individuals affected by hearing loss to achieve their potential, and Alex Lacamoire exemplifies our mission,” said Laurie Hanin, executive director of the CHC. “Alex has shown the world that having a hearing loss did not stand in the way of achieving his dreams, and we are so proud to honor him. He is a role model for many, and we applaud his outstanding achievements in the musical world.” 

“As someone who’s worn hearing aids since childhood, this award has a deep personal meaning to me. Even though I grew up with an auditory obstacle, I didn’t let it stop me from pursuing a career as a professional musician,” said Lacamoire. “I am thankful for this recognition and hope that it will inspire people to seek out the massive support system and resources that CHC provides for people who deal with hearing loss.” 

Honored for Hamilton as one of the “trailblazing creators of a transformative work that defies category,” Lacamoire is best known for his work on Broadway’s shows Hamilton, Dear Evan Hansen, and In the Heights. Altogether, he has won three Tonys for Best Orchestrations, three Grammys for Best Musical Theater Album, an additional Grammy for producing The Greatest Showman soundtrack and most recently, an Emmy for Outstanding Music Direction for his work in FX’s mini-series Fosse/Verdon. He was also the recipient of a first-of-its-kind Kennedy Center Honors for his contribution to Hamilton. Lacamoire resides in New York and currently serves as the Executive Music Producer for Warner Brothers’ upcoming film In the Heights. He recently received an Honorary Doctorate of Music from his alma mater, Berklee College of Music. 

CHC’s 2020 Virtual Gala will place the issue of hearing loss center stage by featuring individuals sharing their personal journeys to hearing, a look at the unique challenges to hearing and communication brought on by the pandemic, and the presentation of the Eleanor Roosevelt Humanitarian Award. The gala will be hosted by Joey McIntyre, actor, singer, songwriter, and member of New Kids On The Block, who recently starred on Broadway in Wicked and Waitress.

“I had the pleasure of working with Alex at Wicked and am thrilled to be honoring him and share this connection to CHC,” said McIntyre. As a parent of a child with hearing loss, McIntyre has spoken publicly about his family’s story in order to advocate on behalf of the early identification of hearing loss.

For tickets to the event, please click here.

Source: CHC

Image: CHC