Annie Rau ‘19
On September 22, Vocal Ensemble member Mackenzie Lee ‘19 sang with Broadway stars for the children of Honduras at the charity’s event titled “Broadway Sings – Amigos de Jesús.” Hamilton musical stars Mandy Gonzalez and Chris Jackson performed at the benefit concert, and Mackenzie Lee had the opportunity to not only watch the world-renowned singers perform but also sing alongside them. “I sang in ‘Vivir Mi Vida’ by Marc Anthony with the whole crew as well as ‘Breathe’ from In the Heights with Mandy Gonzalez,” Lee said.
Amigos de Jesús is a home for abandoned, abused and impoverished children in rural Honduras. The charity supports over 140 children in a loving, safe environment for children to grow and learn, in addition to providing financial support for the care and education of over 400 children living in local villages and shelters in Guyana, Tanzania and Argentina. Episcopal has formed a strong connection with this charity through the involvement of Alexa D’Ambrosio ‘17. Lee was granted the opportunity to sing through Louis D’Ambrosio, chair of the board of directors for Amigos de Jesús and father of alumni Alexa ‘17 and Chris ‘18. Dr. Locke was looking for a talented singer and reached out to Lee to participate.
Lee considers the opportunity to be an unforgettable experience. “It was such an inspiring experience to be surrounded by so many successful professionals,” Lee explained. “They all seemed so happy in their profession and everyone had something new to offer. I have never learned so much in one night; I’ll never forget that experience.”
Jim Erwin, Music Department Chair and Choir Teacher, comments on Lee’s singing ability, “Mackenzie has wonderfully powerful and expressive voice. She is able to convey the intense emotion of a lyric while enhancing the melodic contour of a line. Her natural sense of phrasing and can be attributed to talent, but I think of her more as an incredibly dedicated singer who works hard to develop the skills that enable her to perform at such a high level. Her charisma on the stage, pulls audience members into the song.” Choir president Grace Hennigan ‘19 echoes Erwin’s praises, saying, “Mackenzie’s vocal performances are characterized by a powerful belt and beautiful emotional incorporation; I deeply admire her as an artist and vocalist.”
Lee recalls one of her favorite moments from the event: “My favorite [moment] was talking to Christopher Jackson backstage. We had a long conversation about life and career paths. He was so down to earth and provided so much insight. I was and still am so inspired and beyond grateful for this amazing opportunity.”