[Nolan Williams, Jr.]
Patrick D. McCoy
July 24, 2012
July 24, 2012
The Washington, D. C. based NEWorks Productions has
informed the D. C. Performing Arts Examiner that Nolan E. Williams, Jr.
as been tapped by the U. S. State Department to lead a cultural envoy
to Cairo, Egypt. He will lead an impressive ensemble of nine singers on the tour. which includes 2012 Helen Hayes Award winner Nova Tate, Washington National Opera soprano Samantha McElhaney and gospel recording artist Vanessa
Williams. Completing the ensemble are Dennis Sawyers, Victoria Purcell,
Byron Nichols, Danton Whitley, Iyona Blake, and Joy Swafford.
The NEWorks Inspirational Voices will represent the United States as cultural envoys, singing for the Fifth Annual Sufi and Chanting Festival, an international festival sponsored by Egypt's Ministry of Culture.
Washington National Opera soprano Samantha McElhaney shared about the
invitation. "It is an opportunity of a lifetime. When Nolan asked, I
could not turn it down. To even go to represent the United States is a
blessing. It is the essence of of my career. I feel it is my calling
to sing for many nations. So for this to be an international festival
and singing for it, I am living out my career. Many are called and
few are chosen, and I am blessed to be chosen." the soprano said from
her home
.
Willliams is certainly excited about the invitation and reflected
further. "When I first received an email from a State Department
official inquiring if I would be interested in this tour, I was
absolutely thrilled, to say the least. I had long hoped to become
connected with their cultural exchange programs and had planned to one
day apply. It is gratifying to know the work that I have been doing has raised a
level of attention that incited this prestigious invitation." he said.
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