In tune with charity

<p>He may be a new face in the vocal performance classes at Sonoma State University, but he's quickly earning a reputation as an old hand at putting on a great show.</p><p>Founder and executive director of the nascent Project Applause, 42-year-old Michael Van Why is leading a troupe of accomplished student vocalists who sing to gain experience and at the same time raise money for local, nonprofit organizations.</p><p>"It's really hard to convey the extent, the caliber of the performances we experienced last year," said Ina Chun, development director at Face to Face/Sonoma County AIDS Network.</p><p>Face to Face was the beneficiary of Van Why's energy and talent for a stellar evening in 2005. Its success prompted Chun to ask for a repeat performance later this year.</p><p>"The first one was a little experiment for us both," Chun said. "We raised a couple of thousand dollars and the students got experience. But, you should have seen how thrilled everyone was that night."</p><p>Fueled by a desire to find performance venues, Van Why created Project Applause as a way to benefit small nonprofits and commercial ventures while building the confidence of budding performers. With a five-member board of directors, and Dr. Leslie Dukes serving as creative director, Project Applause seeks to nurture performers by providing stage experience.</p><p>"When people think of students singing, they probably envision sixth-graders, right? What they get with us are extremely well-trained pre-professional performers," said Van Why, of his group of college-age performers.</p><p>Vocal recitals include his elegant Power Point tips, offering the audience information on the lives of the composers, and the emotional messages of arias.</p><p>"I think of it as Power Point poetry, just enough to inform, to draw everyone in, in a comfortable way," he said.</p><p>As a new venture, Van Why is thrilled to see the dropped jaws of nonprofit leadership when they realize what they have scored - for free.</p><p>"And yet, when I talk to people who have never heard of us, I have to sell, sell, sell. As we move forward, I hope that will be less so," Van Why said.</p><p>The next Project Applause effort will benefit a small nonprofit cancer program at the Airport Health Club. The Cancer Wellness program offers cancer survivors a free 10-week healing exercise program.</p><p>"It's a wonderful program that could use some support," said Katherine Klemin, a cancer survivor who is helping organize the event, titled "Il Nostra Rosa," or the Pink Ribbon. Her own business, Sweet Laughter, creates gift bags filled with items of healing humor specifically designed for cancer survivors.</p><p>"We are planning a very inspirational night. The Windsor High School Culinary Arts Academy will do the Italian food and Project Applause will present Italian music," she said. Rehearsals are in full swing.</p><p>"Themes work well. We had a French food, French music night at Fifes Guest Ranch in October and the mother of a 14-year-old boy came up and thanked me afterward," Van Why said.</p><p>"She had been trying to introduce her son to classical arts without much success. She said he was just riveted. He had no idea .. . . That's just another fun aspect of what we do," he said.</p><p>For more information about "Il Nostra Rosa," set for April 28 at the Mary Agatha Furth Center in Windsor, contact Klemin at 837-0288.</p><p>To learn more about Project Applause, visit www.projectapplause.org or e-mail performers@sbcglobal.net. Project Applause also can be reached in Santa Rosa at 538-2831.</p>