Tonight, the DC Public Education Fund and DC Public Schools will honor the hard work and dedication of outstanding teachers, principals and support staff at the fourth annual Standing Ovation for DC Teachers at the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts.
This unique awards show will feature musical performances by American R&B singer, Luke James, and by English R&B singer-songwriter, Estelle.
Luke James, the Island Def Jam/N.A.R.S recording artist has already garnered a Grammy Award nomination for Best R&B Performance, with his very first single “I Want You” – even before his yet to be released debut album has dropped. Luke is not only taking R&B music by storm with his sensational vocals, but the New Orleans native is an equally talented songwriter who truly embodies the honesty and fresh, organic soulfulness in contemporary music. Recently, he delivered a show-stopping performance at the BET Honors and has opened for Beyoncé on her tour.
Estelle, the Grammy-award winning artist from West London BC, burst on the international scene with her second album Shine. Her hit single “American Boy,” in collaboration with rapper Kanye West, won a Grammy Award for Best Rap/Song Collaboration, in addition to being nominated for Song of the Year and many other awards worldwide. In addition to owning a fashion and jewelry collection, Estelle dedicates herself to a myriad of philanthropic organizations. She launched the All of Me Foundation to supports mentoring and educational programs already in motion with the goal of educating, enlightening, and expanding the horizons of young people.
Standing Ovation was created thanks to the vision of the Oscar and Emmy award-winning film and television writer, director, and producer George Stevens, Jr., who first produced the inaugural event in 2010 to showcase and celebrate great educators in DCPS. Today, Standing Ovation is the premiere education event in Washington, DC. The fourth annual event will be hosted by Jim Vance, news anchor for NBC4, tonight in the Concert Hall at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts at 6:30 pm.
