Presidential Performances

Post written by Lena Aburdene

Last night, The Kennedy Center had a very special evening of performances by the 2009 Presidential Scholars in the Performing Arts.  This event was thrown by The Commission on Presidential Scholars, The Presidential Scholars Foundation and the National Foundation for Achievement in the Arts and sponsored by Washington Life Magazine.

The 2009 Presidential Scholars are high school students from all over the country who are exceptional in music, dance and theatre.  Only 20 students are selected from an invite- only pool of 7000 students to become Presidential Scholars. These talented performers showed their great skills and gifts on stage at the Eisenhower Theatre, with literally, jaw dropping performances.

Kathryn Davis from West Linn Oregon is one to watch out for.  She is a jazz artist who sings and plays violin, piano and the jazz double bass.  When she sang Glad to be Unhappy last night the audience was almost brought to tears by the haunting beauty of her voice.  Another highlight of last night’s performances was by the first ever Presidential Scholar in Hip Hop dance.  Ernest F. Baker II performed an awe inspiring dance piece that would have impressed Michael Jackson.  He danced to Usher, Ludacris and Peedi Crakk and was the co-choreographer.

Attending this event last night is a reminder of the musical and theatrical talent that exists in this country.  These young people are so talented and bring so much beauty to the world through their unique gifts.  It is extremely important to support the Arts, even in a time of economic uncertainty.

You can support this wonderful cause by visiting the National Foundation of the Arts www.nfaa.org