Acts 4 Ministry's "Inspiration" Fundraiser April 9 at Palace Theater to Feature World-Class Harpist

Harpist Megan Sesma, who has performed in many diverse venues around the world, including the White House, Carnegie Hall, Tchaikovsky Hall in Moscow, and the Hollywood Bowl, will be the featured performer at Acts 4 Ministry, Inc.’s annual fundraising reception April 9^th at the Palace Theater in Waterbury, Connecticut. “Inspiration: Inspiring acts of love” is the theme of the non-denominational, non-profit charitable organization’s reception that will be held from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. in the Grand Foyer of the Palace Theater.

“This event is a celebration of the many ways our organization impacts positive changes in the Greater Waterbury community,” stated Sarah Elizabeth Carabetta, executive director of Acts 4 Ministry, Inc. in Waterbury. “Our organization supports the needs of families and individuals who are in dire financial distress and have lost virtually everything they possess to a fire, flood, or other devastating life event. We are tremendously honored to feature the revered talents of Megan Sesma for our guests.”

A versatile orchestral, chamber music, and film session musician, Megan Sesma’s experience has placed her under the batons of great conductors ranging from Neeme Jarvi and Yuri Temirkanov to John Williams and Jerry Goldsmith. She has also shared the stage with such legends of contemporary music as Quincy Jones, Herbie Hancock, Diana Krall and Dianne Reeves. Ms. Sesma is presently the 1st enlisted principal harpist with the United States Coast Guard Band, which in February 2003 added a harp position for the first time since its creation in 1925. She also substitutes with the New Haven Symphony, Rhode Island Philharmonic, Hartford Symphony, New Britain, Bridgeport, Manchester and other symphonies.

Ms. Sesma is also an adjunct professor of harp at the University of Connecticut in Storrs, Conn., and Connecticut College in New London, Conn.; harp instructor at Wesleyan University in Middletown, Conn.; and the New England Regional Director for the American Harp Society. She has performed with the Chicago Harp Quartet at the American Harp Society Conference in New Orleans; at Wesleyans Center for the Arts and Connecticut College with violinist Theodore Arm; at the World Harp Congress with the Eastman Harp Quartet and a tour of Taiwan performing concerts with the Coast Guard Band, and December 2010 included the performance of Harp Christmas, a harp concerto with the concert band.  

Ms. Sesma’s has also performed at the World Harp Congress in Dublin, Ireland; a concerto performance of Claude Debussy’s Danse sacrée et danse profane in Merkin Hall and the world premiere of Hampson Sisler’s new composition for soprano, harp and orchestra, Diurnal Night. In 2004 she was soloist on the US Coast Guard Band Midwest Summer Tour performing the Ginastera Harp Concerto. Other recent performances include a solo recital in Mexico City, and Antigua Guatemala. In 2013 she was recipient of the Latina Style Service Award for the Coast Guard which is awarded annually to one active duty female in the Coast Guard.

“As a non-profit organization,” stated Carabetta, “Acts 4 Ministry is truly delighted to present the exceptional talents of Ms. Sesma to our supporters on April 9^th. Our organization is not a church. We are a collaborative group of a volunteer board of directors, staff and many volunteers who want to share God’s love by meeting the physical needs of others. We achieve this goal daily on many levels by collecting and distributing, free-of-charge to recipients, clothing and housewares with an accommodating furniture program through volunteerism. Each year we distribute clothing to nearly 4,000 people, and over 1,000 pieces of furniture and housewares to people of varying income levels throughout the region.”

Acts 4 Ministry, Inc’s vision is to build relationships with people while providing them with the basics of daily living needs. This non-denominational organization strives to partner with churches, social service agencies, and public schools to help identify and serve people with these needs in the context of the broader community regardless of their faith, race, creed, or national origin, or their willingness to participate in religious activities.

Located at 1713 Thomaston Avenue in Waterbury, Acts 4 Ministry’s building also features a store environment where people with immediate needs can select clothing, furniture and household items. “Individuals or families can come here to personally select clothing, dishes, glassware, furnishings, and other basic needs at no charge. They are frequently referred to us by other charitable organizations as people who have suddenly lost their homes to a fire, flood or other unexpected devastation or upsetting life event. They are provided with an atmosphere which preserves their dignity and allows them to walk around our store to select what they personally need vs. being handed clothing or furnishings they do not desire. This is a respectful environment where everyone is treated with caring support,” Carabetta explained.

Tickets for the April 9^th fundraiser are $45/person, and can be obtained by visiting the Events Page of www.Acts4.org, the Palace Theater Box Office 203-346-2000 or www.palacetheaterct.org.

To learn more about Acts 4 Ministry, Inc.’s clothing and basic household goods needs and distributions; home visits; furniture deliveries; and our support of local area foods banks, health clinics, shelters, soup kitchens, disaster relief agencies and international community support, please visit www.Acts4.org.