PATRICIA BEAGLE
Staff Writer
When looking for a place to take their two sons on vacation 25 years ago, Bonnie and Jim Gwin tried Chautauqua Institution for a week. “We were totally hooked,” Bonnie said.
The couple now spends the full season at Chautauqua and makes occasional visits at other times from their home in Gates Mills, Ohio. They purchased Far View Cottage, located near the Miller Bell Tower, 20 years ago. Since then, they have enjoyed spectacular lake breezes and views.
“This is an amazing community, and we love the people we’ve gotten to be friends with,” Jim said. “We love the lectures and recitals. We love it all!”
One of the Gwins’ passions is visual arts. Bonnie’s mother, Delores Wetterer, was an artist. She and Bonnie’s father, Bob Wetterer, both loved Chautauqua. In their home, the Gwins display a collection of paintings Delores created. They also support visual artists at Chautauqua and have acquired a collection of works from Chautauqua Visual Arts’ gallery exhibitions.
On several occasions throughout the 2025 Summer Season, Jim recalled hearing that if one has a passion for something at Chautauqua, they should consider whether they can help support it. Bonnie remembered hearing that idea shared by Interim Chief Executive Kyle Keogh. “That was like a spark,” she said.
The Gwins’ son Michael and his wife Ieva, along with son John and his wife Joan, all share an appreciation for Chautauqua and classical music. Even John and Joan’s children, Henry, age 6, and George, age 3, love Chautauqua. Henry has already shown a talent for dramatic flourishes when playing the piano.
Jim explained that the Gwin family has been completely impressed over the years by the Music School Festival Orchestra.
“We thought it might be an area where we could help offer support,” he said. “We think it is really important for Chautauqua. These young people have their careers ahead of them and could be ambassadors for Chautauqua.”
By the beginning of 2026, the Gwin family members had decided to establish The Gwin Family Fund for the MSFO. The Gwins made a commitment to support scholarships for MSFO members for at least five years.
Director of Chautauqua Schools of Performing and Visual Arts Sarah Malinoski said, “I remember when the Gwins’ gift came in. It was thrilling!”
Malinoski said the Gwins’ generosity is supporting 37 of the 82 MSFO students this year. She added, “Through the incredible support of the Gwins and many other donors, we were able to fully fund all MSFO students this year, including room, board and tuition.”
Malinoski explained that scholarships and high-quality student housing at Greene Family Commons have helped to attract more applicants than in the past. “This year, the MSFO had 668 applicants for 82 positions — the best ever,” Malinoski said.
MSFO students play six concerts in six weeks while also participating in recitals, chamber music performances, master classes and private lessons, so having to work a summer job would detract from their ability to concentrate on music.
Timothy Muffitt, artistic director of the School of Music and conductor of the MSFO, stressed the essential nature of scholarships for MSFO members. “Simply put, these young musicians could not afford to come to Chautauqua without financial assistance. Scholarships are the lifeblood of our program and the resources that allow our students, the leadership of tomorrow, to take the Chautauqua experience with them as they shape the world,” Muffitt said.
MSFO students echoed the value of scholarships. Liusiena Herashchenkova, who studies violin at Roosevelt University, discovered Chautauqua through her teacher. “I am very grateful for this scholarship,” Liusiena said. “It gave me the opportunity to come here.”
Her sister, Tetiana Herashchenkova, plays principal violin in the MSFO and also studies at Roosevelt University. “It’s my first year here, and I am so excited,” Tetiana shared. “After studying music for 16 years, the scholarship allows me to concentrate on music without working.”
MSFO member Sloan Jordan is studying double bass at Indiana University. “The scholarship has meant everything,” Jordan said. “It is incredibly validating as an artist to dedicate myself fully and not worry about the financial burden.”
Double bassist Tee Gotsch, a graduate of Brown University, will be pursuing a master’s at the New England Conservatory this fall. “The scholarship was the reason that Chautauqua was number one on my list,” Gotsch said. “It was fantastic.”
Njya Lubang, a double bass student at Bard College and Conservatory, explained that the scholarship and amazing faculty drew her to Chautauqua, but the community here has been a bonus. “I thought it would just be a campus,” Lubang explained. “I have a host family, and they really care about me.”
Susan Downie Wheeler, major and planned gifts officer, assists donors in establishing meaningful gifts at Chautauqua. She described scholarships for music, dance, voice, theater and art as life-changing gifts that take students from dreaming to achieving. “We are honored by The Gwin Family Fund for MSFO and profoundly thankful for the family’s belief in the power of education to transform lives,” Wheeler said.
Bonnie and Jim Gwin are humble about the Gwin family’s support. “The focus should be on the students,” Bonnie insisted. “We are so appreciative of everything we get here, and this is a small way of paying it forward. I hope other people will consider scholarship support. We need to make sure Chautauqua will outlast all of us. This is an investment for our grandchildren.”
