Feb
13
7:00 PM
With love, Tchaikovsky. Symphonic Valentines
Bella Notte ‘27
Midnight in Manhattan
Wednesday, February 03, 2027, 6:00 pm
A Special Fundraising Event. Not included in Season Subscription Purchases.
FSU-PC Holley Center
A Crooner Era Gala Benefitting the Panama City Symphony
Transport yourself to the golden age of the New York supper club. This year, Bella Notte takes you to the heart of the Big Apple for Midnight in Manhattan—an evening of timeless style, rhythmic sophistication, and the smooth, nostalgic sounds of the Crooner Era. Expect an evening draped in the elegance of mid-century Manhattan—where the jazz is hot, the drinks are cold, and the glamour is unmatched. This year’s gala is elevated by the incredible homecoming of DiDi Stone, our 2024 High School Division Emerging Artists Competition winner, who returns to our stage following an extraordinary year touring throughout China. DiDi has been captivating international audiences with his rare dual-talent, performing as both a featured vocalist and violinist. Didi will lead a musical journey through the smoky, melodic soul of the 1940s and 50s. His journey of advanced musical studies will continue this fall at the prestigious Peabody Institute of the Johns Hopkins University. Your attendance and contributions during our silent auction ensure that Panama City Symphony continues to bring world-class artistry to our home shores.
Attire: Embrace the allure of 1950s Manhattan. Formal attire with a classic vintage flair is encouraged as we celebrate the golden age of the American Crooner.
DIDI STONE
Featured Guest Artist
Didi Stone is a 20-year-old violinist and vocalist currently pursuing a Bachelor of Music in Violin Performance at the Peabody Conservatory of the Johns Hopkins University, studying with Herbert Greenberg. A Georgia native, he began playing the violin at age five and grew up in a musical family.
During middle school, he developed a deep commitment to orchestral performance. He served as Concertmaster of the National Youth Orchestra of the United States of America and toured South America under conductor Marin Alsop. He has also held concertmaster positions with the Atlanta Symphony Youth Orchestra, the Emory Youth Symphony Orchestra, and the Atlanta Festival Academy Orchestra. He was selected multiple times for the GMEA All State Orchestra, serving as Assistant Concertmaster.
Professionally, Didi has been selected to perform as a substitute section violin for the New World Symphony (Florida), the Columbus Symphony Orchestra (Georgia), and the Beijing Union Symphony (China). He has also subbed with the Harbin Symphony and Henan Symphony in China.
As a soloist and chamber musician, his recent honors include First Prize in the 2024 Georgia MTNA Young Artist Competition, Second Prize in the Samuel Fordis Young Artist Concerto Competition, First Prize in the Franklin Pond Chamber Music Competition, and Second Prize in the inaugural Atlanta Festival Academy Young Artist Competition in 2025. As winner of the Emory Youth Symphony Orchestra Concerto Competition, he performed the first movement of Tchaikovsky’s Violin Concerto in May 2024. He subsequently won the Panama City Symphony’s Young Artist Competition with the same work and later returned to perform the concerto with the orchestra.
Didi is also an accomplished singer. He began singing at age 10, and was a soloist at the Georgia All State Chorus two years in a row in high school. He has won voice competitions in both China and the US and was invited in the summer of 2023 to Xiamen to record songs for a local composer.
In the 2025-26 school year, he took a gap year to study voice in Beijing with Wu Chunyan, a national first class opera singer. He has performed as a vocal soloist with the Beijing Union Symphony multiple times and was a featured performer at the “I love you Beijing” concert series. He is a high tenor with a wide vocal range and is proficient in pop, jazz, musical theatre, and Chinese and Cantonese Pop styles. In 2026, he signed with the Tencent company to release four original songs in China.
Didi has attended festivals such as the Aspen Music Festival and School, studying under Robert Lipsett, and the Montecito Music Festival. In addition, he has been accepted to the reserve list for the Verbier Festival Orchestra and Music Academy of the West.
Outside of music, he enjoys fitness training, tennis, and solving Rubik’s Cubes. He is deeply committed to education and wants to use his experience teaching to help young musicians develop their skills and find their path within music.
He is grateful for the opportunity to perform again in Panama City and would like to thank his family for their continued support of his musical career.
Follow Didi Singing on Instagram Follow Didi Plays Violin on Instagram
Relive the magic of Didi Stones’ extraordinary performance with the Panama City Symphony—a captivating blend of artistry and passion!
Enjoy Cocktails, Passed Appetizers, Complimentary Wine and Champagne, Plated Dinner, Desserts, Entertainment, and a Silent Auction
Chef Kyle and the 30A Swiftly Catered Team are returning for their third consecutive year to treat guests to an extraordinary culinary experience. Renowned for their exquisite presentations and flavor profiles, the team has crafted a menu that pairs perfectly with Midnight in Manhattan.
Signature Cocktail and Mocktail
Passed Appetizers:
-Shrimp and Pork Belly Skewers
-Caprese Skewers
-Mini Baked Brie
Plated Salad:
-Spinach Berry Salad
-Dinner Rolls, Whipped Butter
Plated Entree:
– Beef Tenderloin OR Emerald Coast Grouper, Key Lime Butter
-Yukon Gold Mashed Potato
-Lemon Almond Green Beans
Coffee Station:
Decaf and Regular, Sweeteners, Half and Half, Oatmilk
Dessert:
Compliments of Blue Mountain Bakery-Dessert Trays for Each Table:
Salted Caramel Brownies, Key Lime Tarts, and Brown Butter Cheese Cake
Cash Bar with a Signature Cocktail and a Signature Mocktail
Table Wines Provided by Burgunbarrel
Click Here to Buy Tickets and Sponsorships to Bella Notte
Illuminate Your Brand’s Distinction with an
Enchanting Evening of Music and Elegance
Elevate your business’s regional prominence while treating your esteemed clients and colleagues to a sophisticated night of world-class symphonic music and fine dining. Sponsoring the Panama City Symphony’s Bella Notte: Midnight in Manhattan gala provides high-visibility corporate exposure, premier networking opportunities, and reserved VIP table seating. Align your brand with Panama City’s most elegant cultural event and deliver an unforgettable experience for your guests by selecting from our exclusive sponsorship packages below.
| Sponsorship Title | Sponsorship Type | Price |
| Empire State, SOLD | Presenting Sponsor (Kenneth & Marilyn Gummels) | $8,000.00 |
| Broadway Lights, SOLD | Photo Booth Sponsor (Paul Brent Gallery, Paul & Lana Jane Brent) | $5,000.00 |
| Carnegie Hall | Guest Artist Sponsor | $3,500.00 |
| Chrysler Gold | Ensemble Sponsor | $2,500.00 |
| Rockefeller Center | Wine & Beverage Sponsor (Burgunbarrel) | $2,500.00 |
| Plaza Hotel | Decor Sponsor | $2,500.00 |
| Radio City Music Hall | Dance Floor Sponsor | $2,500.00 |
| Fifth Avenue | Silent Auction Sponsor | $2,500.00 |
| Central Park | Patrons Table Sponsors (4 available) | $1,600.00 |
| General Admission | Individual Seats | $165.00 |
Transform Bids into Music: Donate to Our Silent Auction
Support Panama City Symphony by contributing unique items, services, or experiences to our upcoming auction. High-demand donations like luxury vacation stays, fine dining vouchers, exclusive event tickets, spa packages, and high-end artwork or wine not only attract generous bids but also highlight your business or personal generosity. Your tax-deductible contribution directly sustains our community concerts and educational outreach—making every donated item a powerful investment in the arts.
To donate an auction item, please text or call Patron Services at (850) 785-7677 or email patronservices@panamacitysymphony.org.
Music, Community, and Connection
A Look Back at Bella Notte ‘26, Voices of the World
