The document provides information about the Washington International Piano Arts Council (WIPAC) including their recent gala event. It discusses the gala held at the Organization of American States featuring Bolivian dancers and pianist Thomas Pandolfi. The gala was a success and helped raise funds for WIPAC's Festival of Music and International Piano Competition. The document highlights some of the guests in attendance and performances at the gala.

1. Notes from the Piano Bench
Washington International Piano Arts Council (WIPAC)
Established 2001August 25 D Fall 2015 Volume X Special Edition * No. 8
In This Issue
 Autumn Leaves
* Message from The
Chairman of the Board
 From the President
 WIPAC GALA
 Highlights and scenes
 Black Tie Club
 Activities in another Art
Form
Greetings for a
happy birthday
to
JOHN
GARDECKI
And
Melissa
beale
WELCOME to the Wonderful World of Music
Autumn Leaves….The beauty of Nature
Robin Phillips shared Momsandguns's photo.
Message from the Chair ………………………………
Fall they say, Autumn I prefer….whatever is best, it is a beautiful
time in our America when trees, grass and leafy things change its
colors from green to yellow, orange, red, burgundy, as the photo
above shows! WOW, the amazing part of nature.
Now the beauty of life is music and WIPAC is busy with it! Our
season began with the 2015 Fall Piano Concert Series Part I at The
Kosciuszko Foundation Center last September featuring pianist
extraordinaire Eric Himy who performed four Chopin Ballades in
less than 50 minutes! Part II was another all-Chopin program performed by the
winningest pianist Michael Slavin, who holds all major competition prizes from Paris,
Washington now Warsaw!!! And the evening that was…November 13, Fall Gala at
the OAS. What a night! So many people to thank, Carmen, Mickey, Nicole,
Nancita, Darlene, Robin, Diane to name a few! Big hug to all…..
Chateau Gardecki, WIPAC Board Chair and Founder
(100 Most influential Women in the U.S. of Phil. Descent 2011 Filipino Women’s Network)

2. WIPAC QUOTE
“Music gives a soul to
the universe…
Wings to the mind,
Flight to the
imagination and
Life to everything.”
Plato
Category of Links
WWW.WIPAC.ORG
Calendar of Events
Call 703 728-7766
Notes as a Rose
Radio Classique
2015
Kosciuszko
Foundation Center
2025 O Street NW
Washington, DC
From the President
Dear friends of WIPAC,
I cannot believe we have moved past the beautiful fall already.The foliage had
turned into magnificent colors but the days are definitely getting cooler now, as
we are preparing for our Christmas party which will be on December 11 at the
Slovakian Embassy.
Thinking back to the summer and our Festival of Music-- and the great time we
all had listening to our pianists perform the most wonderful music. I
must mention again, our three time winner Michael Cheung, who was the
crowned performer of the festival. This brings me to our fabulous WIPAC gala at
the OAS. The success of this gala will help us continue to bring piano music to
the Washington area and make the music flourish. We had a great turn out with
ticket sales for the gala. The evening was a total success. We had wonderful
auction items, which brought in some funds and we had donations .But most of
all I appreciate the great support of all the friends of WIPAC. Without their
dedication we cannot succeed.
As always, I would like to thank Chateau and John Gardecki, for their leadership
and their good work. They surely are a treasure. Again, thank you for joining us
at the OAS, on November 13. We had a wonderful dinner from Catering
Solutions and a great band to keep us on the dance floor.
Last but not least a big thank you goes to the board, our Gala Chairs,
the Committees and our volunteers for making it all possible.
Have a wonderful Holiday season. Warm regards,
Clayton Eisinger
President
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
CLAYTON & SUSIE EISINGER WITH JUDY AND STEPHEN BAER
Rhoda and Leila Rita, Chateau, Robin & Randy Rhoda and Melissa

3. Special
Acknowledgement
Matching Grant Donors
Reinsch-Pierce Family
Foundation
Richard Lounsbery
Foundation
Donors and Patrons
Mr. & Mrs. Rand Allen
Harriet Becker
Diane Bohn
Mr. & Mrs. Ben Cox
Michael & Portia Davidson
Susanne & Clayton Eisinger
Dr. & Mrs. Leslie H. Fenton
G. Austin Hay
Lloyd & Valerie Huff
Tehmina Khan
Angeles de Leon Khanna
Susan Lehrman
Mr. & Mrs. C Braxton
Moncure
Robin Phillips
Jacqueline Ohrstrom
Lola C. Reinsch
Mr. Charles Silverman
Dr. Joyce Hagel-Silverman
Jean Wigham
WIPAC DIPLOMATIC
Friends
H.E. the Ambassador of
Bulgaria Elena Poptodorova
H.E. Francois Delattre, the
Ambassador of France to
the UN
H.E. the Ambassador of the
Philippines
Jose L. Cuisia, Jr. and Mrs.
Vicky Cuisia
Link to a Web page
www.wipac.org
“An Evening of Culture and Music of the Americas”
A night to remember…I’ll say! By Chateau Gardecki
WASHINGTON, DC (November 14, 2015) –
The huge grand ballroom, the Hall of the
Americas at the Organization of American States
(OAS), came to life during the Washington
International Piano Arts Council (WIPAC)
Annual Gala fundraiser. Beautifully dressed
women and distinguished men started to mount
the regal staircase of one of the most elegant
buildings in the nation's capital. Entering the
hall, the setting was elegant and tall flower vases
created by Rhoda and Jean adorned the tables. WIPAC members and volunteers
all dressed up ready for “An Evening of Culture and Music of the Americas.”
Held under the gracious patronage of the Organization of American States
Secretary General Luis Almagro and co-chaired by the Ambassador of the
Philippines H.E. Jose L. Cuisia Jr. and Madame Vicky Cuisia in cooperation
with the OAS Credit Union, WIPAC hosted the evening dinner-dance to benefit
the Festival of Music and the 14th Washington International Piano Artists
Competition in July 2016.
As Bolivian Jazz player Bernandino Crespo serenaded gala goers, champagne
flowed and silent auction tables filled with wonderful items opened for bids at the
magnificent OAS foyer/veranda overlooking the beautiful Aztec Garden below.
The festivities began on time as Gala M/C Chas Henry introduced WIPAC
President Clayton Eisinger, who opened the program by acknowledging the
distinguished guests of the evening. Carlos Calderon, Gala Chair then
welcomed WIPAC guests to the OAS for this special evening.
Representing the Philippine Ambassador who was out of town,
Chargé d’Affaires, Patrick Chuasoto took the lectern to share a
letter from His Excellency which read, “I am honored to be one
of the WIPAC Co-Chairs for this year’s 14th annual gala. It is
my hope that WIPAC remains committed to promoting cultural
understanding by inspiring professional and non-professional
artists to share their talents with audiences in all walks of life. The citizens of my
country have a special love for music, and I hope that one day soon, WIPAC will
expand its talent search to Manila.”
Chas then called on pianist, Thomas Pandolfi, who reversed
the original order of his program and performed George
Gershwin’s “Rhapsody in Blue,” which is reminiscent of
“American in Paris” at the same time that Paris was in
turmoil! Without alarming our guests who are mostly
“Francophiles,” it took all the will power that I had to avoid
making any specific reference to it. Thank You Thomas!
You are truly an American pianist!
Pandolfi closed his program with Chopin’s “Revolutionary” Etude, and we all
gathered strength! Même pas peur! He is a Juilliard School graduate, and as Joe
David described, “brightened the evening with Fryderyk Chopin’s Etude in C

4. The 2016 Festival of
Music and
The 14th
Washington
International Piano
Competition is
annually presented
In cooperation with
the George
Washington
University music
department,
the Kosciuszko
Foundation
♪♪♪
Special Guests and
Patrons
Leeda and Rand Allen
Lola C. Reinsch
J Almont Pierce
Ms. Robin Phillips
Friends
Harriet Becker
Mike & Portia Davidson
Lloyd and Valerie Huff
Diane Merriam
Wei Ling Wang
Washington
International Piano
Arts Council
Diplomatic Council
H.E., the Ambassador of
Bulgaria Elena Poptodorova
and Mr. Georgi Petrov
H.E., the Ambassador of the
Philippines and Mrs. Jose L.
Cuisia, Jr.
H.E. the Ambassador of
Portugal Nuno Brito and Mrs.
Rosa Batoreu
Honorary Board
Leeda and Rand Allen
The Honorable & Mrs. Robert
Blackwell
Dr. & Mrs. Leslie H. Fenton
G. Austin Hay
Tehmina Khan
Maria Carmen and Peter
Mermagen
J. Almont Pierce
Lola C. Reinsch
Carol Rudman
Dr. .Joyce Hagel-Silverman
Minor. His extraordinary musical virtuosity has been enjoyed in countries around
the world where he has had an opportunity to perform to distinguished crowds.”
The moving piano performance was followed by the beautifully costumed
Morenada Bolivian Dancers magically transforming the ballroom into a
colorful extravaganza of dance, which had the entire audience rising to their feet
to join in. What a sight to behold!
Dinner was served and the Angels and Aces began
playing music, prompting guests to dance. After dinner,
Chateau Gardecki, WIPAC’s Board Chair and
Founder, presented appreciation gifts to Chas Henry and
Thomas Pandolfi for their participation and support of
the gala. As a token of gratitude, Chateau presented a
Certificate of Appreciation to WIPAC Parliamentarian,
Michael Davidson, for his contribution as Chairman of
the Piano Competition Jury for 6 years running, whilst
Carlos Calderon was honored with a Certificate of Recognition for his support
and cooperation in making the gala possible at OAS.
To add excitement during the gala, Portia Davidson masterfully auctioned off
three items live, which included “Tea in the Afternoon” for 20 guests with H.E.
Elena Poptodorova, the Ambassador of Bulgaria, at her residence, won by Susie
Eisinger’s group. A wonderful addition was a basket donated by Madame Leila
Beale, wife of H.E., the Ambassador of Barbados, John Beale which provided “A
Taste of Rum from the Island of Barbados.” This ended up on the table of
Clayton Eisinger.
Topping all these is a note from H.E., the former Ambassador
of Iceland, Helgi and Madame Heba Augustsson wrote:
“Although we cannot be with you again for the WIPAC Gala
this year, we will raise our glasses in a toast to you on Friday
night. We have always had such a wonderful time with you
and having you as friends was very valuable and dear to us. I
wish we could dance with you at the Gala once more!”
Guests enjoyed the company of other diplomats and
special guests such as Ambassador Jacinth Henry-
Martin, Chief of Staff to OAS Secretary General Luis
Almagro; H.E. Ambassador of the Commonwealth of
Domenica Hubert Charles and Madame Sylvia
Charles; Shahin Mafi, Founder/Trustee of the Azar
Foundation for Children of the World; WIPAC Honorary
Members Rand and Leeda Allen and Tehmina Khan;
WIPAC Benefactors Lola Reinsch and Al Pierce, and
WIPAC Board Member Robin Phillips.
Special Thanks to Carmen Stull for sustaining the fort! Big, big thanks to Jan
DuPlain, Joe David and Patricia McDougal and to all our volunteers headed by
Caroline, Mary and Nancy. Additional thanks to Mickey Nedelcovic, Gala Co-
Chair, for securing roundtrip tickets for two to any Salvadoran city from
Aristides Luna of Avianca Airlines won by Nicole D’Amecourt! It was
certainly a night to remember!

5. Executive Board
Chateau Gardecki,
Chair and Founder
Clayton Eisinger, President
Diane Merriam –
Vice President
Jean Wigham, Treasurer
Portia Davidson, Secretary
Chief Financial Officer
John Gardecki
Board Members
Harriet Becker
Ma. Salve Bernabe
Jeanne Blackwell
Nicole d’Amecourt
Susanne Eisinger
Zelmira B. Nedelcovic
Robin Phillips
Judith Ramage
Parliamentarian
Michael Davidson, Esq.
Diplomatic Liaison
Rhoda Septilici
Artistic Advisory Board
Jerome Barry, Frederic Chiu
John Gardecki, Eric Himy
Stuart Isacoff
Raymond Jackson
Tzvetan Konstantinov
Contact: WIPAC
3862 Farrcroft Drive
FAIRFAX, VA 22030
Use PayPal link
For all donations
www.wipac.org
Gift Giving Form
Available at
www.wipac.org
♪♪♪
IN MEMORIAM
Barry Dalinsky
November 18, 2015
Condolences and
Prayers to the
Dalinsky Family
Bolivian Morenada
Dancer!
G. Austin Hay with Harriet
Becker, Board Member
Bill Detty and Lola Reinsch
Sipping champagne
Jan DuPlain with Portia and Mike
Davidson^^^
<<<< Nancy Dunton with friends enjoying
the scenes
Highlights of the Gala Evening, November 13
Bill Detty, Regina & Martin Donelly & Lola Reinsch
<< Jean Wigham, Melissa & Leila, Frances Berkman

6. WIPAC
NEW MEMBERS
H.E. the Ambassador of
Fiji Winston Thompson
and Mrs. Queenie
Thompson
Amb. & Mrs. Paul
Hartman
Jan Anderson
Kazuko Bach
Malia Baduw
Elaine Bainbridge
Caroline Baker
Bari Berger
Diane Bohn
Patricia Chapell
Craig & Eva Coleman
Gabriela Coman
Jennifer Coombs
John Curd
Joseph David
Lisa Dickelman
Salvatrice DeLuca
Marlies Diehl
Pernille Elbech
Nick & Patti Gardecki
Luz & Jack Gregory
Shelly Harlow
Tehmina Kahn
Ioanna and Paul Lee
Barbara & Warren
Lewis
Hal Matson
Camilla McCaslin
Jesse Morrow
Jan Phillips
Eva Salmoiraghi
Wayne & Linda Sharp
Sheila & Tom Switzer
Lynn Theismann
Pauline Thompson
Mr & Mrs Lars Thunell
Eberhard & Veronika
von Loehneysen
Contact: WIPAC
3862 Farrcroft Drive
FAIRFAX, VA 22030
Highlights & Scenes at the Gala
H.E.Ambassador of the Commonwealth of
Dominica Hubert and Sylvia Charles with
the Gardeckis and Bolivia dancers leader **** Sheila Switzer, Chateau Gardecki
Rosario Montes. Carlos Calderon and Shahin Mafi
Elaine, Robin and Alix toasting to a night of friendship, music and culture
Bulgarian Ambassador Elena Poptodorova
with Tehmina Khan, Mr. Georgi Petrov, Regina****Dr. Vic Lorica, Carmen Stull
and Martin Donnelly **Philippine Embassy Charge d’Affaires Patrick Chuasoto^^
Celebrating Birthday
and Anniversary!!
Birthday boy John Gardecki
with only Son Nicholas who
joined the gala with lovely wife
Patti as the auction live spotters
celebrating 17
th
wedding
anniversary. Thanks Guys!

7. Use PayPal link
For all donations
www.wipac.org
Gift Giving Form
Available at
www.wipac.org
Pay here for
Lady WIPAC
bid!
She is framed and
ready to be hung in
your chosen spot at
home
Great idea to use old
unwanted piano.
Gala Accoutrement
Invitation, menu and
party favors
BLACK TIE ANNUAL MEMBER DINNER at Congressional
Black Tie Club. It was a lovely evening always! We
danced, danced and danced some more. This dinner
was always well-attended by members. Former WIPAC
Executive Officers Charles and Joy Silverman (ex BTC
President) who just recently moved to Naples, Florida
flew to Washington to be
present. They have not
missed this dinner-dance by
Black Tie since becoming a
member.
The evening began with an
hour Cocktails and dancing
ensued as soon as guests
were beckoned to their tables as Angel and Aces band
started playing.
Congratulations to Helen Gordon, elected President and to other newly elected
officers. NOTICE MEMBERS PRESENT - CROSS POLINATION, HEH? Thus event
is featured in WIPAC Fall Newsletter. Highlight of the evening was the turn over at
the helm.
Robert Gair**Charles and Dr. Joyce-Hagel Silverman**Mickey Nedelcovic & Paris Singer
John & Chateau Gardecki **John and Marta Sewall
^Robin Phillips & Randy ***^^ with Phil & Maureen Martin
Roffman
John Dassoulas and
Judith Ramage ----------->>

8. The Festival of Music
2016
&
The 14th Annual
Washington
International Piano
Artists Competition
CASH AWARDS
Grand Prize
Debut Recital -The
Kosciuszko Foundation
Center
First Prize - $ 2,000
Second Prize - $ 1,000
Third Prize - $ 500
♫♫♫
TROPHIES
First Prize Piano
Second & Third
Competition
Certificates
♫♫♫
SPECIAL AWARDS-
$250 and Donors
Best Performance of
Bach’s composition
Best Performance of
Beethoven works
Best Performance of
Chopin works
Best Performance of a
Polish composition
Best Performance for
Baroque Period
Best Performance of
Contemporary Work
Best Performance of
Classical
Most Imaginative
Programming
Best Performance of a
Romantic Period
Best Performance of
Bach composition
The Audience Award
The Press Jury Award
MEMBERS’ ACTIVITIES IN ANOTHER ART FORM
WIPAC Honorary Board Member Lola Reinsch with dance instructor in a dress
rehearsal for Dancing with the Stars Gala in October to raise funds for several
charity organizations. WIPAC members and friends went for moral support.