About Us

Our Mission
Five Boroughs Music Festival (5BMF) seeks to bring musical performances of the highest caliber to all parts of New York City. In a day when more and more artists and music fans are living in the so-called ‘outer boroughs,’ it is our goal to equally serve audiences in every part of the city by presenting diverse, intimate, and affordable programs throughout the year.

Our Leadership
Jesse Blumberg, Artistic Director
Donna Breitzer, Executive Director

Board of Directors:
Robert Conley, President
Michele Kennedy, Vice President
Andrea Reichenbach, Vice President

Our History
Over its first four seasons, 5BMF presented 20 unique and varied programs in four complete cycles around NYC. From our earliest days, our commitment to musical outreach and diverse programming has attracted positive attention from the NYC arts community, culminating in September 2010 with an invitation to present as a featured arts organization at the third annual Bryant Park Fall Festival, an outdoor performance for a crowd of approximately 1,500 listeners.

5BMF’s artist roster is comprised of diverse, talented emerging artists and distinguished musicians alike. 5BMF’s venues are just as eclectic, and have included historic NYC landmarks such as Steinway Hall, the University Church at Fordham University, and the Snug Harbor Cultural Center.

In November 2010, 5BMF presented its first free, public masterclass in conjunction with NYU’s Program in Vocal Performance, in which world-renowned collaborative pianist Martin Katz worked with four students from NYC’s top music schools. As an additional means of outreach, 5BMF has donated programming to charitable causes. Recently, 5BMF presented Bach to the Bronx!, a program of early music to benefit Save the Children and their efforts in Haiti following the 2010 earthquake; and in 2008, 5BMF partnered with music outreach organization Sing for Hope to present Notes from Brooklyn, which raised $10,000 for Brooklyn Community Services.