3 Senior Sopranos Starting Out! : K Street Magazine

I walked through the halls of the Duke Ellington Schol of Performing Arts for the first time yesterday. Surprising since the school is such a strong part of DC’s history and identity. Perhaps I was so thrilled to walk through those doors because attending a performing arts high school was once a dream of my own.

I was there to witness the placement of the final brick in the foundation of three senior students’ castle in the sky. Each student must perform a Senior Recital to graduate from the school’s music department.

While the performances of Latoya Smith and Emily Olmstead were phenomenal as well, I was there to be entertained by my friend, Miss District of Columbia’s Outstanding Teen, Elizabeth Payne. Incredible!

Elizabeth, you have matured so much this year. You deserve your standing ovation and so much more. I am confident that we will soon see your name in lights! Congratulations on an amazing senior recital.

While Elizabeth is on to bigger experiences and promising vocal career – after college, I hope! – I, myself, was back in class last night after an awards ceremoney for the Bryce Harlow Foundation. I wonder if Johns Hopkins’ DC campus offers arts courses?? I sure do miss those!