Stars Soirée Expands Music Therapy at Cardon Children’s

Filter front man Richard Patrick

The 2015 Stars of the Season, the signature fundraising affair for Banner Children’s at Cardon Children’s Medical Center, rocked the JW Marriott Camelback Inn Resort and Spa on Oct. 24, proving that music is therapy. About 650 guests and sponsors gathered to raise funds to establish Sophie’s Place, creating a permanent home for music therapy within the hospital.

Dr. David and Tina Curran, Stars of the Season co-founders

Shanel Saunders, Amanda McCarthy and Joanna Palmer co-chaired the event. The Advisory Council of Cardon Children’s Medical Center, a group of more than 50 volunteers organized by Tina and David Curan, M.D., organized the event. Ted Stryker, DJ on The World Famous KROQ in Los Angeles, served as emcee for the fourth consecutive year.

Making the evening extra special, Anne-Marie and Kent Barton, parents of Sophie’s Place namesake, singer-songwriter Sophie Barton, were in attendance. Speaking briefly, they expressed gratitude for support of Sophie’s Place, an interactive healing play concept brought to life by the Forever Young Foundation.

Living up to its reputation as an edgy event centered around music, the night included a benefit concert from multi-platinum recording artsts Filter, best known for the hit songs “Hey Man Nice Shot” and “Take a Picture.” The previous day, Filter front man Richard Patrick and fellow band members visited Cardon Children’s, singing and playing music alongside patients.

Event co-chairs and their husbands – Shanel and Joe Saunders, Amanda and Brandon McCarthy, and Joanna and Wes Palmer – sponsored the after- party, which featured eclectic dance beats from DJ Jen Jones.

Emcee Ted Stryker catching a pass from former NFL quarterback Steve Young

Wayne Truong, Emily Cox, Khaver Kirmai, Elizabeth Greenfeld, Jonathan Greenfeld, Heidi Cox, Rhonda Anderson, Mike Lang and Barbara Lang