When senior audio arts major Kathrynn Vettas was diagnosed with stage two Hodgkin’s lymphoma in February, Columbia students decided to organize a benefit concert to help raise money for her medical expenses.
The Care for Kathrynn benefit concert, hosted by Sessions @ 33, featured 17 Columbia student and alumni artists on Wednesday, May 13, at Bassline. Proceeds from ticket sales, along with a portion of merchandise sales, went to Vettas’s GoFundMe to help cover medical expenses.
Around 100 people attended the benefit, completely filling the floor of Baseline.
Tom Joyce, faculty advisor for Sessions @ 33, said he organized the concert to bring “a little bit of light” to a difficult time and give students a way to show solidarity.
When Vettas learned about the event, she said she was overwhelmed by the support.
“This means literally everything to me,” Vettas said. “I love music so much, and I’m about to graduate, so the last event being for me and what I’m going through is so crazy, and I’m so happy.”
When Joyce reached out to Samantha Weyandt, a junior audio arts major and member of the band “Please Return,” to perform, she immediately accepted the opportunity
“When we were offered this opportunity, it was kind of a no-brainer to take it,” she said. “Obviously it’s a tragic situation, and I’m just grateful to be able to do anything I can to help.”
Weyandt was among the artists that performed at the event, playing a variety of genres ranging from punk and R&B to indie and acoustic.
“I think it’s really cool that they got so many acts on the bill. I think that kind of speaks to the culture at Columbia,” said Weyandt. “ A lot of people are willing to come out and do what they can to support.”
Alicia Maka, a senior music production major, came not only to support Vettas, but also to perform and support other musicians as well.
“I wanted to be a part of the set because it’s for a very good cause and I can’t imagine a Columbia student going through this,” Maka said. “Support in any shape or form really matters.”
For Vettas, the turnout reflected the sense of community she has found among Columbia students.
“Everybody is very much for each other here, and I think that’s just such a good representation of what it’s like to be a creative,” said Vettas.
Chloe Clary, a junior music production major who performed with Weyandt, said the concert showed the unity of the audio and music community at Columbia.
“I feel like we’re a really strong community,” said Clary. “When it comes to the music and the audio world, it’s nice that we can collide and combine to raise money for such an important cause.”
Joyce said he wasn’t surprised by the turnout.
“I think it really shows that students step up to say, ‘You know, this is a good thing and I want to help others out,’” said Joyce. “And it doesn’t surprise me because the greatest thing about working at Columbia is that our students have such empathy for others and they want to help others out.”
Jennifer Halperin, an internship and career advisor at the Career Center, said the biggest reason she came to the benefit show was to let Vettas know she’s not alone.
“I think when people are going through hard times, it can feel extremely lonely,” said Halperin. “I feel like the band’s willingness to perform and all the people who came out to support, help make Kathrynn feel like there’s a community surrounding her.”
Copy edited by Venus Tapang
