A Musical Celebration of Roger Tilles
LONG ISLAND ARTS ALLIANCE PRESENTS
A Musical Celebration of Roger Tilles
A lifetime of impact.
One beautiful evening.
Monday, October 19, 2026
Tilles Center for the Performing Arts
Featuring The Knights, special guest Melissa Errico, and Long Island’s young artists.
Tickets are no longer available. You can still support the event by bidding on the silent auction.
Festive food & drink
Music, film & tributes
720 Northern Boulevard
Brookville, NY
Honoring Roger Tilles’ 21 years as Long Island’s Regent and four decades of service to the arts, education, and civic life.
A FESTIVE EVENING HONORING ROGER TILLES
For the arts.
For education.
For Long Island.
For more than forty years, Roger Tilles has been a driving force in shaping Long Island’s educational, civic, and cultural landscape.
As he concludes twenty-one years representing Nassau and Suffolk Counties on the New York State Board of Regents, Long Island Arts Alliance invites friends, colleagues, educators, business leaders, artists, and community members to come together for an evening celebrating his extraordinary lifetime of service.
The celebration recognizes Roger’s contributions to public education, his role as a founder of Long Island Arts Alliance, and his lifelong advocacy for the arts, diversity, tolerance, and interfaith dialogue.
5:30 p.m. · Reception
A cocktail-style reception with food and drink catered by Grace’s Marketplace and a raw bar provided by Toasted Oysters.
6:45 p.m. · Music, film & tributes
A program led by The Knights, with Melissa Errico, accompanied by Adrian Galante, the Central Islip High School Concert Choir, Syosset High School Adelettes, and Scholar-Artist harpist Carrie La Barca. The evening also includes a film by Emmy Award-winning filmmaker Waldo Cabrera.
Silent auction
The silent auction is live! Explore artwork, arts experiences, and special getaways. Preview featured items and bid on Zeffy.
Proceeds support Long Island Arts Alliance’s work connecting the arts community with resources, opportunities, and one another.
Explore sponsorship opportunities ↗THE PROGRAM · 6:45 P.M.
Performances
& film.
The Knights lead a program featuring Melissa Errico, Long Island’s young artists, and a short documentary about Roger’s life and work.
FEATURED PERFORMANCE
The Knights
The Knights lead the evening’s musical program in honor of Roger’s lifelong commitment to the arts.
Meet The Knights ↗
SPECIAL GUEST
Tony Award-nominated Broadway starMelissa Errico
Accompanied by Adrian Galante
Celebrated for her leading roles in My Fair Lady, High Society, and Amour, Melissa Errico joins us for a special musical tribute to Roger Tilles.
LONG ISLAND’S YOUNG VOICES
Central Islip
High School Concert Choir
An award-winning student ensemble under the direction of John Anthony.
LONG ISLAND’S YOUNG VOICES
Syosset High School
Adelettes
An acclaimed student a cappella ensemble known for polished vocals and rich harmonies.
ALSO FEATURING
Carrie La Barca · Harp
2027 Scholar-Artist from Saint Anthony’s High School.
SHORT BIOGRAPHICAL DOCUMENTARY
A remarkable life,
through a new lens.
Emmy Award-winning filmmaker Waldo Cabrera presents a look at Roger Tilles’ life, leadership, and lasting contributions to Long Island.
BID · SPONSOR
Ways to support
Tickets are no longer available
Ticket sales for the celebration have closed. You can still support the event, and Roger’s legacy, by bidding on the silent auction. Explore artwork, arts experiences, and special getaways benefiting Long Island Arts Alliance.
Bid on the Silent Auction ↗Sponsorship & support
Honor Roger through an event sponsorship, invest in LIAA’s year-round programs, or contribute as an Event Supporter.
Opportunities for individuals, businesses, and organizations.
Explore sponsorship opportunities ↗Silent Auction
Bidding is now open. View artwork, arts experiences, and travel packages benefiting Long Island Arts Alliance.
TUSCANY GETAWAY
Under the Tuscan Sun
Six nights for four in Cortona, Italy, with a private wine tasting and walking tour.
View & bid on Zeffy
ORIGINAL ARTWORK
Cyclical Vase I
A sculptural ceramic vessel by Long Island artist Lauren Skelly Bailey.
View & bid on Zeffy
LIVE MUSIC
An Evening with Jason Isbell
Two tickets to his November 6, 2026 solo performance at Tilles Center.
View & bid on ZeffyBrowse the full collection and place your bids on Zeffy.
ABOUT LONG ISLAND ARTS ALLIANCE
Your support reaches
beyond one evening.
Long Island Arts Alliance is Long Island’s regional arts service organization, serving Nassau and Suffolk Counties since 2003.
Originally established to measure and communicate the economic impact of the arts, LIAA has evolved into a regional resource supporting more than 240 arts-focused nonprofit organizations, 14 local arts councils, and thousands of artists, educators, municipalities, libraries, businesses, and community partners.
Through research, advocacy, professional development, technical assistance, communications, and strategic partnerships, LIAA develops practical solutions to challenges affecting Long Island’s arts and cultural sector.
One of LIAA’s priorities is creating opportunities for the field to connect, share information, and learn from one another. Sponsorship proceeds from this celebration help sustain that work and carry Roger’s legacy forward.
THANK YOU
Celebration Committee
Co-Chairs | Dale Lewis and Dr. Thomas Rogers
WITH GRATITUDE
LIAA Board of Directors
Dr. Judith A. Chen · Dr. Marian Conway · Maurice Brandon Curry · Lucinda Hurley · Jim Incorvaia · Dr. James Lentini · Dale Lewis · Maggie Martinez Malito · Dr. Susan Poser · John Racanelli · Napoleon Revels-Bey · Laura Savini · Roger Tilles · Marc Wong
Executive Director · Lauren Wagner
WITH GRATITUDE
Thank you for making
this evening possible.
Celebration Sponsors
- Debra & Dale Lewis
- Hon. Roger B. Tilles
- Marc & Daniela Wong
- John Racanelli
- Sandy Tytel
- Gene Bernstein & Kathleen Walsh
- Rubenstein Communications
- Sandy & Eric Krasnoff
- The New York Community Trust
- UBS Financial Services
Celebration Supporters
- Jay & Mindy Jacobs
- Joel Hershey and Roy Eddey
- Deborah & David Cohen
- Dr. Robert A. Scott and Carole Artigiani
- Marvin Krislov
- Rena J. Pasick
- Rick and Debbie Cole
- Steven R Bralove
- Wendy Schwartz
- Roger’s Great Neck North High School 1964 Classmates
- Larry Levy and Freda Wagner
- Beth Levinthal
- Julia and Alan Richardson
Programming Underwriters
- Dina Burns Creative Reuse Project
- Dr. Judith A. Chen LIAA Professional Development Series
- Molloy University Data & Advocacy
Catered by
Raw Bar Provided by
Printing Partner
In-Kind Supporters
MONDAY, OCTOBER 19, 2026 · TILLES CENTER
A lifetime of impact.
One beautiful evening.
Bid on the Silent Auction ↗
We look forward to celebrating with you.