Channeling Audrey Hepburn

A prominent Houstonian is compared to Audrey Hepburn in a star-studded $650,000 gala

The inaugural UNICEF Audrey Hepburn Society Ball celebrating the philanthropic work of Margaret Alkek Williams was an evening of memorable firsts. Not only was Williams honored with the first Audrey Hepburn Society Philanthropist of the Year Award, but UNICEF also established the Margaret Alkek Williams Humanitarian Award, to be given to future local philanthropic leaders.

The preferred attire was white-tie and the glamorous crowd complied donning gala finery including opera-length gloves, full ball gowns and, in a nod to Audrey Hepburn, the modern bun was the hairstyle of choice.

Williams’ dazzling emerald green couture gown came straight from a designer atelier in Rome, specially for the evening, which began in the Wortham Theater.

Desperate Housewives and Dallas star Jesse Metcalfe served as emcee for the elegant event which included performances by the Houston Ballet, Houston Symphony and Houston Grand Opera, which presented an a capella version of "Moon River" from the Audrey Hepburn film Breakfast at Tiffany’s.

“This is about helping children on a global level. If I can use my celebrity to make a difference, I will."

Audrey Hepburn’s son, Sean Hepburn Ferrer, presented Williams with her award and his remarks likening Williams to his mother were a sincere and touching tribute.

“My mother wanted to give back as a way to return the good fortune she had experienced. Like my mother, Margaret serves to remind us what people are capable of,” he said.

For her part, Williams was quietly gracious, saying she was honored to continue the legacy of her family. Albert Alkek’s donation of $25 million to Baylor College of Medicine in the 1980s began the family’s dedication to charitable giving to medical institutions. It was fitting then that Williams’ $1 million donation to UNICEF supports the Baylor International Pediatrics AIDS Initiative and led to the creation of the UNICEF's Audrey Hepburn Society in the United States.

The evening wasn’t all reserved gaiety though. After all, it is Houston, and when the operatic boy band Il Volo wowed the gala-goers with their three-song set, the well-heeled crowd rewarded them with cheers and a standing ovation. Before hopping a plane to Toronto, the teen trio went off script in a cute mix of English and Italian.

“This is a real pleasure and important for Ms. Williams who has done so much,” Ignazio Boschetto said.

Metcalfe also took a few liberties at the podium, at one point discussing Houston’s reputation as the energy capital, but noting the lack of energy in the room and then later saying how much Houstonians like to eat. He offered a mea culpa during dinner in Wortham Center Grand Foyer that followed the program in the theater.

“Not to undercut Houston a second time,” Metcalfe said. “Houston is a great city and is a special place for me because my girlfriend’s family is from here . . . Houston has a giving heart.”

Wrapped in Metcalfe’s tuxedo jacket, girlfriend Cara Santana said her parents are from Houston and being in town for the UNICEF gala was a bit of homecoming.

Metcalfe is planning a UNICEF trip in April 2014 to either Africa or South America to continue the work of the organization.

“This is about helping children on a global level. If I can use my celebrity to make a difference, I will,” Metcalfe said.

The evening capped off with a five-sorbet birthday cake straight from the Candyland board game and choruses of “Happy Birthday” to Williams.

Chaired by Donna and Robert Bruni, Molly and Jim Crownover, Rose and Harry Cullen Sr., Dr. Kelli Cohen Fein and Martin Fein, Nancy Calles and Dr. Mark Kline, Leela and Nat Krishnamurthy, Penny and Paul Loyd and Tara and David Wuthrich, the gala raised more than $650,000. Joanne King Herring served as honorary chair.

Also making the glam scene were Lynn Wyatt on the arm of son Steve Wyatt, Diane Lokey Farb, Dikembe Mutombo, Pat Breen, Kimberly DeLape, Phoebe Tudor, Monsour Taghdisi, Mark Sullivan and an fun girl’s night out table comprised of Deborah Duncan, Alicia Smith, Ericka Bagwell, Ursaline Hamilton and Anne Carl.

Danny Isabel David, from left, with Luba and Alan Bigman at the UNICEF gala.

499 UNICEF Houston gala September 2013 Danny David and Isabel David, from left, with Luba Bigman and Alan Bigman

Photo by © Gary Fountain

Danny Isabel David, from left, with Luba and Alan Bigman at the UNICEF gala.

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doubling down

Shepherd School builds on 50 years with a 2026-27 season of discovery

Rice University Shepherd School of Music

Photo by Michael Stravato

The Shepherd School's 2026-27 season includes six world premieres.

The next generation of classical music doesn’t wait in the wings at Rice University’s Shepherd School of Music.

It walks onto the stage, often with a world premiere in hand, and slaps listeners with music so energetically performed that they might need a glass of wine or a Xanax to come down from the thrill.

Fresh off its milestone 50th anniversary, the Shepherd School’s 2026–27 season doubles down on discovery. The lineup includes six world premieres, the Texas premiere of Matthew Aucoin and Sarah Ruhl’s opera Eurydice, celebrated guest artists, and a steady reminder that Houston audiences can hear rising talent before the rest of the world catches on.

For students, Shepherd continues to function as a foundation where rigorous conservatory training meets the resources of a major research university. For audiences, it’s an invitation to witness artists in the midst of becoming, tackling ambitious repertoire in halls whose acoustics reward every nuance.

The orchestral season, led primarily by Distinguished Resident Director of Orchestras Miguel Harth-Bedoya, embraces both pillars of the canon and brand-new voices. Opening night sets the tone with Ravel’s Alborada del gracioso, Richard Strauss’ Death and Transfiguration, the world premiere of Jake Berran’s Probabolophony, winner of the 2026 Cooper Prize, and Hindemith’s Symphonic Metamorphosis.

The season also launches what is planned as a multi-year exploration of Gustav Mahler with Symphony No. 1, “Titan,” while spotlighting Shepherd faculty members as soloists, including pianist Jon Kimura Parker and oboist Erin Hannigan. Along the way come additional premieres by alumni composers, concerto appearances from competition winners, and opportunities for conducting students to take the podium.

Shepherd will present a fully staged production of Richard Strauss’ Ariadne auf Naxos before mounting the Texas premiere — and first university performance — of Eurydice, with composer Aucoin visiting campus to work directly with students and audiences.

Guest artists add another layer, from Aleko Endowed Artist Julia Bullock collaborating with Shepherd opera students to alumna Kate Soper returning with the acclaimed Wet Ink Ensemble. Chamber concerts, faculty recitals, festivals, and family programming round out a calendar of more than 400 events, many offered for free or at low cost.

The season also includes the Adventurous Electric Guitar Festival at Wortham Theatre, where concerts, workshops, and presentations explore contemporary electric guitar and electroacoustic performance in collaboration with Rice Electroacoustic Music Labs (REMLABS).

Notably, the school will also inaugurate its undergraduate orchestral conducting degree, the only program of its kind in the nation.

This author recently caught Miguel Harth-Bedoya deep in score study before a concert, next to his visiting family, meticulously parsing Ravel’s Alborada del gracioso.

It was a fitting snapshot of the institution itself: Craftsmanship behind moments that can feel effortless once the lights dim and the music begins. That dedication has defined Shepherd for more than 50 years, and the 2026–27 season suggests the next movement is well underway.

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