Wednesday, June 25, 2025
The community is invited to help support
Duke Ellington School of the Arts award-winning vocal students travel to France and Italy this July for a historic musical and cultural exchange. The students have been accepted into a prestigious three-week Bel Canto Opera Training Program in Italy, where they will study with world-class coaches and perform in historic venues. A highlight for these extraordinary young artists will be performing at the Notre-Dame de Chartres Cathedral during the 1,000th Anniversary Jubilee year. This special opportunity was arranged by Brigette Macron, who visited Duke Ellington School of the Arts. The Vocal 5 are rising Seniors and have rigorously trained together for three years.
To support this effort, Jim and Christine Payne are hosting a Champagne Toast fundraiser on Friday, June 27th from 5:30 – 7:30 p.m. at their home located at 1415 31st Street NW. RSVP by emailing chpayne.inc@gmail.com.
Holy Trinity Catholic Church Social Justice Ministry will match all donations. Donations can be made to Holy Trinity at
https://trinity.org/donate-holy-trinity/ by selecting Pledge – Social Justice from the drop-down menu and type Duke Ellington Trip in the memo line.
Or, donations may be made directly to the Duke Ellington School of the Arts via the Ellington Fund, a 501(c)3 charitable organization licensed to receive all gifts from any type of program, account, trust, etc. Checks may be made payable to the Ellington Fund, ATTN: Pam Jackson, COO. Memo: Holy Trinity Collaboration Trip.
Mailed to:
Duke Ellington School of the Arts
ATTN: Pam Jackson PhD
Chief Operating Officer
3500 R Street NW
Washington, DC 20007