Two good causes will be part of the Celebrating Celine concert on Oct. 19, including supporting Glimmer of Hope, a local breast cancer foundation, and honoring the late Karen Cordaro, the beloved founder of Act One Theatre School in Bellevue.

Jenene Caramielo, a Celine Dion tribute artist and North Allegheny graduate, will perform her the show at 2:30 p.m. at the New Hazlett Theater, 6 Allegheny Square East, in Pittsburgh’s North Side.

The event will provide donation opportunities for Glimmer of Hope, a Pittsburgh-area nonprofit that raises money for breast cancer research, offers mental health support and helps fund cutting-edge research.

“Our end goal is really to find a cure for breast cancer,” said Diana Napper, founder of McCandless-based Glimmer of Hope.

A donation to Glimmer of Hope can be made during ticketing checkout online or on-site at the New Hazlett Theater the day of the performance.

Napper, whose best friend passed away from breast cancer in 1990, started Glimmer of Hope in 1994. The foundation has fundraised and donated more than $7 million toward breast cancer projects at Allegheny Health Network, UPMC Magee-Womens Hospital, Magee-Womens Research Institute Foundation and UPMC Hillman Cancer Center, according to its website.

“We want to help them live with breast cancer and come out on the other end, hopefully cured,” said Napper, about those suffering from the disease.

This is significant for Caramielo, who was diagnosed with breast cancer at 42 in 2022. With no significant family history, Caramielo recalls how emotional it was not knowing what to do until she found a team of doctors in her home state of Florida.

She had a double mastectomy and reconstruction later that same year, followed by taking a break from performing for a few months before returning to the stage in the spring of 2023.

“I was really incredibly lucky in the fact that it was detected early and we acted pretty quickly,” said Caramielo, who lives in Palm Beach with her husband and two dogs.

At first, Caramielo did not want to share her personal story on stage. But as time went on, she realized she could do good by reminding women to get regular mammograms during her shows and “be on top of your health,” she said.

During her shows, Caramielo always likes to share her connection with the songs she is singing with the audience.

Dion’s “Courage” is one that helped her during her treatment and healing.

“The song means so much to me feeling completely confused and that song really got me through it,” she said.

She reminds those going through the same situation that the journey can be hard.

“Try to remain in that positive space. Sometimes that mindframe is just so important,” she said.

The upcoming concert also will honor Cordaro, a resident of Shaler who died Sept. 7. Known as “Mrs. C,” she was the founder and later consultant of Act One Theatre School in Bellevue, which she established more than 40 years ago, according to her obituary.

Caramielo began as a student there in third grade.

Cordaro is the main reason why Caramielo is on stage now.

“She was a huge moving force in Pittsburgh of really encouraging kids. Just such a beautiful person. I think she inspired all of us. Getting the show together and getting the Act One family to come, she inspired so many. She is the reason I’m doing what I’m doing today,” Caramielo said.

She met her friend, Jono Fortier, who lives in Regent Square with his wife and two children, through the Act One theater group. Fortier is a strong supporter of Glimmer of Hope and helped coordinate the donation opportunity for the show.

He also will be participating onstage for a tribute song to honor Cordaro immediately following Caramielo’s performance, along with some current Act One students, friends and teachers.

Guests to the show can purchase the VIP “Backstage BBQ” Experience, courtesy of Wheelfish, a restaurant owned by Fortier in Ross. The upgrade includes reserved preferred seating, light bites after the show, a glass of wine and an opportunity to meet Caramielo.

“We are honored to be included, and we really look forward to participating,” Fortier said.

For tickets, visit newhazletttheater.org.

More information about the Glimmer of Hope Foundation can be found at symbolofthecure.com.

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