Music is the heart of Italians and Italian Americans, Dr. Lombardo felt strongly that we should encourage talented singers through scholarships and entertainment. She worked with Mrs. Eva Franchi wife of talented Sergio Franchi to establish the Sergio Franchi Music Foundation and to assist in the selection of the Sergio Franchi award winners for the annual music festival. She discovered many singers such as Tara Venditti, Michael Amante, Patrick Carfizzi, Tara Venditti and other new singers every year.

As stated in the press, attendance at the Sergio Franchi concert has grown to over 5 million people. The event is held in late summer at the Sergio Franchi Estate in Stonington, Connecticut. A tour of the Franchi home is conducted prior to the concert. Proceeds of the event benefit the Sergio Franchi music awards in voice performance.

Mrs. Eva Franchi, sponsor of the Sergio Franchi Music Foundation scholarships in voice performance, has been working steadily to generate income for the scholarships in honor of her late husband. Since 1994, funding for these fellowships is attained each year at her estate in Stonington, Connecticut, where she holds an outdoor benefit concert featuring the scholarship winners, whose musical talent permeates the Franchi estate. NIAF promoted the program for Mrs. Franchi and Dr. Lombardo helped identify scholarship applicants. An example is when Dr. Lombardo invited Michael Amante to sing at NIAF's Education Luncheon and Gala Dinner. Consequently, Michael Amante later received a Sergio Franchi NIAF award in Voice Performance.

Washington, D.C.
Pavarotti Scholarship Event

Funded by:

As a result of a NIAF fundraising dinner, the Pavarotti Scholarship was initiated in honor of Luciano Pavarotti. Mr. Pavarotti and other members worked with Dr. Lombardo in selecting worthy singers for his scholarship.