Diverse Concert Artists performed during PBI’s 2017 Annual Dinner. DCA are formally trained musicians from the nation’s top conservatories and universities who seek to diversify the face of classical and “crossover” music through excellence in musical performance at concerts and events.

Pro Bono Counsel for the New York office of Kirkland & Ellis heard the group performing in the subway station at 53rd Street and Lexington Avenue and was very impressed. In her office 20 minutes later, she was thinking about the studies that show that there is a measurable bias against women and people of color in professional orchestras. She grabbed a business card, went back down to the subway, and spoke with the group about whether Kirkland could help them to formalize their business.

Tia Allen, the founder and Creative Director of Diverse Concert Artists, was at that time struggling with the paperwork and legal decisions involved in corporate formation. A team of attorneys from Kirkland’s corporate group, including Eric Sievertsen, partner, Yitzhak Pasha, associate, and Robert Mason, paralegal, helped determine the best choice of entity and venue for incorporation, incorporated the business, and prepared all governance documents. Diverse Concert Artists has since become the unofficial “house band” for Kirkland’s New York office, performing at the firm’s annual pro bono awards celebration.

The evening’s musical performance featured Sean-David Cunningham, violin; Daniel Constant, violin; Tia Allen, viola; and Bobbie Lee Crow, cello. Learn more at www.diverseconcertartists.com.