The 12th Annual Open-Air Concert: Folk on the Water was made possible by a number of brilliant people who contributed in ways big and small but all essential to making it happen.
Meet our Ensemble
Benjamin Tong - [Happy Couple]
Orchestrated this whole thing. Would really like Ellen to say yes.
Ellen Jin - [Happy Couple]
Hopefully has had no idea any of this was in the works. Hopefully said yes.
Katherine O’Kelly - [Benji’s Friend/Proposal Team]
Drove the Proposal Team to the site, helped set up the Romantic Setting, helped organize items and arrangements. Likes to party.
Michael Wong - [Benji’s Friend/Proposal Team]
Helped set up the Romantic Setting. Made himself available 6 months in advance, forgot which Sunday the event was happening. Also likes to party.
Elizabeth Castaño - [Benji’s Friend/Proposal Team/Music Team]
Helped set up the Romantic Setting, coordinated with Violinist and Music Team to ensure beautiful background music at the Romantic Setting. Likes to party at reasonable hours (home by 10 pm pls).
Mathilde - [Music Team/Violinist]
Played beautiful background music at the Romantic Setting! Is too professional to party during business hours.
Richard Bussiere - [Benji’s Uncle/Photographer]
Photographed set up and main event at the 12th Annual Open-Air Concert: Folk on the Water.
Susan Tong [Benji’s Mother]
Provided additional emotional support and helped with set up.
Meet our Sponsors
Lily Xiao - [Ellen’s Friend/Celebration Team]
Flew in from Seattle to help set up the afterparty. Consulted frequently about rings and proposal ideas.
Denise Tuan - [Ellen’s Friend/Celebration Team]
Distracted Ellen for a day while Benji went to meet with Ellen’s parents. Consulted frequently about rings and proposal ideas, helped set up the afterparty.
Chris Felix - [Benji’s Friend/Music Team]
Composed a unique rendition of a song Benji and Ellen like, coordinated with Music Team to ensure beautiful background music.
Jessy and Diana Hsu - [Benji and Ellen’s neighbors and friends]
Received every single piece of gear and equipment for the proposal and held it at their apartment so Ellen wouldn’t find out.
Alice Jin and Nancy Jin - [Ellen’s Sisters]
Helped arrange and coordinate a meeting for engagement approval between Benji and Ellen’s parents. Provided stellar translating and general encouragement. Also wisely selected dates where parents would find out later so less chance of them accidentally revealing the proposal plan.
Todd Kessler - [Benji’s Friend/Coworker/Work Husband]
Took Benji to the same jeweler that he got his engagement ring from!
Tristan Armitage - [Benji’s Friend]
Made this whole website! Patiently provided a sounding board for Benji to bounce ideas.
Joshua Tong - [Benji’s Brother]
Edited videos on our Reviews page. Has endured approximately 32 years of Benji and is amazed Ellen would agree to take Benji for the rest of his life.
Steve Iocco. - [Benji’s Friend/Trainer]
Kindly let the Proposal Team borrow his car to transport materials to Lake Minnewaska. Is also 84% of the reason Benji is so jacked.
The organizers for the 12th Annual Open-Air Concert: Folk on the Water would also like to thank the following: Aba Ansah, Angie Roman, Geeralyn Scott, Alan, Tom Liu, Aaron Robinson, our families, and so many people who have been wonderful to us in so many ways throughout our lives. We love you all.