Leading non-profit organization dedicated to transforming the lives of patients with facial differences, myFace, held a talent show emceed by Patricia Chibbaro and hosted by myFace and its board of trustees.
“As a myFace trustee and a parent of two young children who were both born with a cleft, I am aware of the challenges that kids with a craniofacial difference often face,” said Alexandra C Kay, a myFace trustee. “It’s not easy for anyone to get up on stage and perform for 170+ people, let alone these young stars. This talent show provided them with the opportunity to show off their tremendous skill, passion, and confidence. My family had the best time watching them shine. We look forward to it being an annual event!”
The talent show, held at the NYU College of Dentistry Septodont Auditorium, showcased the skills of 14 myFace “Stars” – 12 performers and two artists whose work was displayed and raffled off. Over 170 guests were in attendance, including patient families, supporters, board members, myFace Center medical staff and myFace office staff.
“Seeing these kids perform on stage was so magical for me,” said Dina Zuckerberg, myFace’s director of family programs. “Having grown up with a craniofacial condition, I know firsthand how much courage it takes to share your talent and perform in front of an audience. As Auggie Pullman says in the book Wonder, ‘Everyone in the world should get a standing ovation at least once in their life.’ These kids are often teased or excluded for their facial difference, so to be recognized and applauded for their talent was truly empowering for them. To see them smiling and feeling good about themselves afterward was the icing on the cake.”
The stars ranged from kindergartener Abigail Lopez who performed “Remember Me” from the film “Coco” and 10-year-old Jazhara Funaioli-Graves who performed Billie Eilish’s “Idontwannabeyouanymore” to Harborsfields High School freshman Wyatt LaFountaine who sang “Vienna” by Billy Joel and Grace Novacheck, who came all the way from Westlake, Texas, to perform “Gavotte” by Johann Sebastian Bach. A video recapping the event can be viewed here.
The show was hosted by Chibbaro, a pediatric nurse practitioner at the myFace Center for Craniofacial Care at the Hansjorg Wyss Department of Plastic Surgery at NYU Langone Health. She has cared for children with craniofacial differences for 30 years, serving as the liaison among the patient, the family and all of the health care providers involved.
“It was an honor for me to be the emcee for the talent show,” Chibbaro said. “Having cared for most of the children since infancy, remembering their parents worrying about whether they would be able to have a normal life, it was incredible to see the tears of pride and joy in their eyes as they watched their child perform. They are my heroes!”
The show closed with a wine and cheese reception sponsored by Smith & Vine – StinkyBklyn.
MyFace is a non-profit organization dedicated to transforming the lives of patients with facial differences. With a special focus on children and their families, myFace funds medical, surgical, dental, speech and psychological services as well as research and public awareness.
The organization will be hosting a gala on May 2 at Guastavino’s, featuring internationally acclaimed DJ Christopher Sealey as well as CNN anchor and Emmy-nominated journalist, Poppy Harlow. The evening of celebration and creating smiles will be honoring myFace patients and recognizing the support the organization receives from those who make the work it does possible. Tickets are available for purchase.
