The Nippon Club’s annual holiday party will be held on Wednesday, December 10th. Due to the closure of the current Nippon Club tower as it relocates to Fifth Avenue, this year’s event will be held at The Penn Club of New York (30 W 44th St, New York), a private social club, under the theme “Let’s Celebrate!”.

The Penn Club is a clubhouse in Midtown, a membership club established for graduates and faculty of the University of Pennsylvania. The University of Pennsylvania is one of the eight traditional, prestigious private universities (also known as the Ivy League) on the East Coast. It is also known as President Trump’s alma mater. The library at the back of the lobby is named after Benjamin Franklin, the founder of the university and the face on the $100 bill.

At this historic venue, guests will enjoy a buffet dinner accompanied by performances from the Keita Ogawa Jazz Trio and conversation with fellow members during the first half of the event, followed by a holiday concert performed by Delphi Borich, a Broadway actress. The event will conclude with a raffle featuring wonderful prizes.

Ms. Delphi Borich was born in Tokyo. She has appeared in Broadway revivals of Tony Award-nominated productions such as “Into the Woods” and “Camelot.” She currently stars in the touring production of the new musical “Austen’s Pride.” Please enjoy the beautiful voice of this remarkable rising star, Delphi Borich. The emcee for the event is Ms. Christina Maxwell.

We look forward to “Let’s Celebrate!” with our members during this exciting holiday season. We sincerely hope you will join us.

【Notice of Change】
Due to unforeseen circumstances, the performer for the second half of the entertainment segment will change from Ryo Kamibayashi to Delphi Borich.

【Date/Time】
Wednesday, December 10
6:00 – 8:30 pm（EST）

【Venue】
Penn Club of New York
（30 W 44th St, New York, NY 10036）

【Fee】
Member $200 / Guest/Non-members $260
（incl. dinner & drinks, tax and service fee）
Maximum allowed up to 80 guests
（Please note that the registration will be closed as soon as it reaches capacity.）

Registration deadline: Friday, December 5

※Cancellation Policy: Up to 3 days (72 hours) prior to the event.

Christina Maxwell

Christina Maxwell is a New York City-based singer, actress and leader and alum of University of Michigan’s Musical Theatre program. Soloist performances include with members of Metropolitan Opera Orchestra, New York Philharmonic, Festival Napa Valley, at Lincoln Center and with numerous symphonies. Maxwell frequently performs in Japan and in China, singing in both Japanese and Mandarin.

Maxwell has starred in commercials for Humira, Olay, Emrosi and Nissan and originated the role of Deanna Durbin in CHASING RAINBOWS at Papermill Playhouse. Awards include “Outstanding Performance in a Leading Role” (NYMF, Laura Evans in SONATA 1962) and the Alan Eisenberg Actors Association Award.

Maxwell advises companies on strategic partnerships and client cultivation and is a frequent public speaker and master of ceremonies. She was named the Distinguished Young Woman of America in 2012 for excellence in scholastics, leadership, and talent and has provided extensive music and art therapy for pediatric oncology patients. She is a native of Asheville, North Carolina, where she is a recipient of the Key to the City.

Delphi Borich

Born in Tokyo, Japan, Delphi has appeared on Broadway in the Tony-Nominated revivals of Into the Woods and Camelot. She recently starred in the tour of Austen’s Pride, a new musical based on Pride and Prejudice, and earlier this year, originated the role of May Welland in Karen Zacarias’ stage adaptation of The Age of Innocence. She has performed regionally in roles such as Belle in Beauty and the Beast, Ariel in The Little Mermaid, and Ella in Rodgers and Hammerstein’s Cinderella.

Her television credits include Law and Order: SVU, FBI: Most Wanted, American Classic, and WeCrashed. Delphi earned her B.F.A. in Musical Theatre from Syracuse University and has studied at Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre in London.

Keita Ogawa Jazz Trio

Percussionist & Drummer

Hailing originally from Nagasaki, Japan, Keita Ogawa is Multi Grammy Award winner and Nominees, One of the most versatile and sought-after percussionist and drummer in New York City.
Keita has been performing with some of the biggest names in modern music including Yo-yo-ma, Assad Brothers, Osvaldo Golijov, Cecile Mclorin Salvant, Maria Schneider Jazz Orchestra, Betty Buckley, Charlie Hunter Trio, the Boston Symphony Orchestra, and more.

He is also member of 5 times Grammy Winner Band “Snarky Puppy”.

Keita can virtually play any percussion instrument and musical style with fluency and unparalleled musicality. Despite his youth, he has set an example for the next generation of world-class musicians. Keita’s passion for crossing musical borders and uniting differences in cultures is a rare talent which he exhibits with a smile and an open heart.

Adam Birnbaum

Jazz Pianist

Adam Birnbaum is emerging as one of the top young voices in jazz piano. Since arriving on the New York scene in 2003, he has become increasingly prominent performing in clubs and festivals around the world. A diverse performer, Adam is a member of The Al Foster Quartet, the Vanguard Jazz Orchestra and Darcy James Argue’s Secret Society as well as frequently performing with the likes of Cecile McLorin Salvant, Regina Carter, Wynton Marsalis, Terell Stafford and many others.

Adam’s early education took place in Boston. In 2001 Adam became a member of the inaugural class of Jazz Studies at the Juilliard School. After graduating in 2003, Adam won the American Jazz Piano Competition in May 2004 to become the American Pianists Association’s Cole Porter fellow in Jazz. Since then Adam has established a busy performing career as a sideman and as a leader. “Three Of A Mind,” (Daedalus Records, 2013) received four stars and an Editor’s Pick in Downbeat magazine and was hailed as “an eloquent dispatch from the heart of the contemporary piano trio tradition” by the New York Times. “Preludes,” Adam’s most recent release inspired by the music of J.S. Bach received great critical acclaim as a ground-breaking fusion of classical and jazz music.

Adam is an Assistant Professor of Jazz at SUNY Purchase and a Steinway Artist.

Jorge Roeder

Bassist

Originally from Lima, Peru, bassist Jorge Roeder has become renowned as one of the most versatile and expressive bass players in jazz today. Combining a symphonic imagination with the intimate lyricism of a folk musician, the aggressive energy of a raw rocker with the buoyant rhythmic sensibilities of his Afro-Peruvian roots, Roeder conveys a wide spectrum of influences within a resolute foundation. In his hands, says the Ottawa Citizen, “the music feels like it’s dancing from the ground up.”

Roeder has enjoyed long-standing partnerships with Julian Lage, Sofia Rei, Shai Maestro and Ryan Keberle, and shared stages with such innovators as Gary Burton, Nels Cline and John Zorn. He’s been recognized with a number of awards, including the 2007 International Society of Bassists Jazz Competition and semi-finalist status in the 2009 Thelonious Monk Bass Competition, as well as a Grammy nomination for the Julian Lage Group’s debut album.