STEP into Grace

STEP into Grace
Tuesday, June 4, 2024 from 6-10 pm
Grace by Nia | 60 Seaport Blvd #325, Boston, MA 02210

Seating chart
Parking and evening timeline
Online auction opens May 1, 2024 at 12 pm / closes June 9 at 8 pm (EST)
Full description of sponsorship benefits


Join us for an evening of entertainment at Boston’s new favorite club – Grace by Nia. Hear music performed by Project STEP’s students and Dr. Chelsey Green (Vice Chair of the Board of Trustees for The Recording Academy – The GRAMMYs -), enjoy soul food, and sip libations, all while helping us celebrate STEP’s decades of championing equity and excellence.

Evening Events:
All Evening: – Online auction and opportunities to support our students. 
6:00 – 7:30 pm: Complimentary cocktails and passed soul food appetizers.  
7:30 – 8:30 pm: Performance from the student musicians of Project STEP and special guest Dr. Chelsey Green. Remarks from Project STEP leadership. 
8:30 – 10:00 pm: Complimentary cocktails.  

During the evening, Project STEP will be acknowledging the below individuals, who have dedicated years of service to our organization through Board membership and office:

Diane M. Austin, Immediate Past President
Dr. Mark Churchill
Jessica M. Fenton
Dr. Michael Hoyle
Hon. Antoinette E. McLean Leoney (Ret.)
Karen McInnis



About Special Guest: Dr. Chelsey Green

Described as “passionate, electrifying, and innovative,” international recording artist Chelsey Green breaks down stereotypes of traditional violin and viola playing. A native of Houston, Texas, Dr. Chelsey Green is a multi-instrumentalist, vocalist, entrepreneur and educator that combines Classical and Contemporary to make music uniquely her own.

Chelsey Green and The Green Project have released five studio projects, debuted on the Billboard Contemporary Jazz Chart (Top 30), appeared in the Top 5 albums of iTunes Jazz chart and performed live shows, jazz festivals and educational workshops around the world; including shows throughout the United States, the Middle East, Eastern Europe, Japan, Haiti and more.

Past performance highlights include the Carnegie Hall with Rick Ross, Capital Jazz Festival, Seabreeze Jazz Festival, GRAMMY Awards with Lizzo, Songs In The Key Of Life Tour (D.C.) with Stevie Wonder, Mid-Atlantic Jazz Festival with jazz violinist Regina Carter, NPR Tiny Desk with Maimouna “Mumu Fresh” Youssef, Black Thought and Wu-Tang Clan, the Mary Lou Williams Jazz Festival with Terri Lyne Carrington, ensemble debuts with the National Symphony Orchestra and The United States Air Force Band and even a nationally syndicated Walmart commercial produced by BET Networks appearing alongside Kirk Franklin and Estelle.

Committed to music education and arts advocacy, Dr. Green regularly performs educational concerts, community workshops and artist residencies to audiences of all types. Her writing has been featured in the New York Times and she has delivered keynote and Commencement addresses at colleges, universities and conferences in both the US and abroad.

Dr. Green completed her Doctorate of Musical Arts (D.M.A) degree in 2017 at the University of Maryland College Park and was appointed Associate Professor at Berklee College of Music in August of that same year. Dr. Green also serves as the Vice Chair of the Board of Trustees for the Recording Academy (The GRAMMYs). Learn more at www.chelseygreen.comPhoto by Derrel Todd Photography


Sponsors & Community Support – to date April 22, 2024:

Suite Sponsors:
Eastern Bank Foundation
Jessica M. & Douglas Fenton
Barbara and Amos Hostetter
Meghan K. Jasani & Adam Margolin
Newburyport Bank Charitable Foundation

Nocturne Sponsors:
Diane M. Austin & Aaron J. Nurick
Goetz Eaton & Ted Davis

Prelude Sponsors:
Nancy Brodsky
Adam Calus
Melinda K. Cheston
Pat Krol and Steve Chiumenti
Dedham Savings
Alex McCray & Richard MacMillan
Hon. Antoinette E. McLean Leoney (Ret.)
Paul & Jodie McMenamin
Alison Nolan
Elisa Pepe
Susan Stott
Vargas & Vargas

General & In-Kind Support:
Dr. Mark Churchill
Grace by Nia
Christopher & Sara Mackey
Elizabeth O’Heaney