That’s why he created the annual concert series, Mozart in Jeans, which features an all-Mozart program in a casual setting.

Peled said he believes in a “dress down philosophy” in classical music.

“I really believe that we have to break the barriers between us performers, the music we play, and the audience,” Peled said.

Mount Vernon Virtuosi will bring its next D.C. performance to St. Ann Catholic Church in Tenleytown on Dec. 14, starting at 3:00 pm. The concert is free.

Peled said that he feels wearing a tuxedo creates more barriers and makes the audiences feel like they are in a museum. Peled said his group and other performers wear their “special shirts” that display the three pillars of which they perform upon: Concerts, Education, and Community.

Katherine Needleman, an oboe player and a member of the Baltimore Symphany Orchestra, will be joining Mozart in Jeans. This is Needleman’s first time working with Peled and Mount Vernon Virtuosi.

“I am also so happy that Amit has entertained my somewhat wild cadenza idea, which involves the orchestra, and can’t wait to explore that with everyone and see how it turns out,” Needleman said.

Peled said this program started years ago, wanting to make the musicians feel a little bit out of their comfort zones. Peled said the performers feel weird wearing jeans when performing Mozart on stage.

“It created this fun atmosphere with the audience,” Peled said. “I always tell the audience the concept before.”

Peled said this event brings more young people because it is such a casual event.

“You play the highest level, and you treat it the most serious way, the music, but you don’t have to create a barrier between you and the audience by wearing something that people wore 200 years ago,” Peled said.

Peled said he originally started his music career in Israel with a crush on a girl who was four years older than him.

Peled said his class only about six or seven students on average, so the relationships with the teachers were very personal. Peled said he chose the cello because that is what his crush played, but he had immediately fell in love with the cello.

Peled said he went to an art-type school in Tel Aviv, but his music career was slightly derailed. Peled was drafted to the army at 18 in Israel but was accepted into the only string quartet that represents the Israeli defense force.

“There are only four people who are lucky enough to win this position, and then for three years instead of fighting, you play music for soldiers and for the prime minister,” Peled said.

Peled said he could not really practice during his three years of service, but he was able to continue to play music. Once Peled completed his service, he received a full scholarship to Yale University. After Yale, he went to the New England Conservatory and finished his graduate studies in Berlin, Germany.

At 27, Peled had his Carnegie Hall debut recital. At this time, Peled had his first opportunity to teach a masterclass at Baltimore’s Peabody Institute. At 28, Peled then offered an official teaching position at Peabody.

“I got this opportunity to be myself, to be an artist, to be a teacher, and to get to know this area of the world, of America and to make it my own and to try to make a change in it,” Peled said.

In 2018, while teaching, Peled had noticed something that bothered him: extraordinary talents are brought here and the day they finish Peabody, they leave. Peled said he felt bad and wanted them to stay here.

“I wanted this area to be a cultivating ground for great artists to create a better environment,” Peled said.

Peled felt that students that leave universities are not ready for the professional world because they are trained in a classroom and are not truly trained to be performing artists. So, Peled said he created what he calls the “Cello Gang.”

In a professional setup, Peled does a program called Around the World in six cells. With current students and former students alike, they join together and get paid for it. Peled said the group started touring the world and making CDs.

“It promotes the ability to be on stage and not just to study with me in the classroom,” Peled said.

After seeing the success, Peled decided to transform the “Cello Gang” into a chamber orchestra. Peled wanted to expand his mission of keeping more musicians in the area and producing more concerts and professional opportunities for them. Peled also had another thought: keeping the concerts free.

“I don’t want these people to pay in order to hear this extraordinary young, talent,” Peled said.

Peled thought about equal opportunities for musicians but also equal opportunity for community members, especially underprivileged ones, to hear classical music. This was the start of the Mount Vernon Virtuosi.

“Everybody thought, and still thinks, I’m crazy, but I thought that if wealthy people in our area or in our world would actually know the mission,” Peled said, “you want this in your community for free.”

Peled said that now in its seventh year, they are able to maintain the group through donations. With 52 concerts a year throughout the D.C. area, the group plays nearly once a week. Peled said the goal is to spread the group and mission throughout the United States.

Needleman said the Mount Vernon Virtuosi’s involvement in the community combined with the opportunities for young musicians had caught her attention.

“I’m thrilled to share the stage with a curious artist who speaks out about the value of music and against the injustice,” Needleman said.

Peled said he is an actor when performing and that the script he plays is written in the language of music. Peled said music is the only language that forces you to listen while speaking.

“You cannot speak language of music without learning to listen to what happens while you’re speaking,” Peled said.

Peled said he is trying to be as approachable as possible. Peled wants people to have the opportunities that he was able to have because of his parents and upbringing.

“We are not the Beatles, and we don’t have thousands of followers and bodyguards,” Peled said, “I want to be there for the people.”

More events can be found at the Mount Vernon Virtuosi .

The post Amit Peled and his story to performing Mozart in Jeans first appeared on 91����.

Vaughn only started her singing career 10 years ago. A mishap at circus camp resulting in a broken wrist forced Vaughn to take a break from playing guitar and piano. Vaughn begged her mother for voice lessons.

Vaughn said she was originally focused on musical theater, but in the 8^th grade she changed voice teachers, which led to her focus of classical music.

“I really liked that it wasn’t an innate skill because I felt like musical theater came more naturally to me, and classical was just something that I never explored,” Vaughn said.

Vaughn said it was luck that brought her to this November’s Opera for Peace academy in D.C. The academy allowed Vaughn to participate in masterclasses with professional opera singers and to perform at the French Embassy.

is a nonprofit, international academy that works with top opera singers through masterclasses.

The D.C. academy was cosponsored by the Denyce Graves Foundation and featured a masterclass led by D.C. native Graves. Renee Fleming, a worldwide known opera singer, also led a master class. The academy took place in November for a week at the French Embassy.

“Our mission is to empower emerging artists from all over the world to become not only exceptional performers, but also ambassadors for positive social change. Through mentorship, training, cultural diplomacy, we believe opera can be a force for dialogue,” Lagahuzère said.

Vaughn said she applied to the Denyce Graves Foundation Shared Voices program early this year and was accepted into that cohort. This past summer, Vaughn got to know Graves on a more personal level through the Chautauqua Opera Conservatory.

Vaughn said Graves had recommended her for the program, which led Vaughn to apply. Vaughn said she believes the Opera for Peace program took a chance on her because she was the youngest singer at this program.

Terry Eberhardt, the executive director of the , said the foundation was more than excited to collaborate with the academy.

“Two things the world needs, lots of opera and peace,” Eberhardt said.

Vaughn said she is learning a lot from the program and the more mature singers.

“Hopefully I’m fitting in enough,” Vaughn said.

She said Fleming’s masterclass was her favorite part of the program, adding that she was nervous but excited to sing for the world-renowned soprano.

Just like the rest of the singers, Vaughn had to tell a little backstory about the piece she would be singing for Fleming. This speaking part was the hardest part of that masterclass, Vaughn said.

“And then once I started singing, I was like, okay, this feels natural, this feels like what I’m supposed to be doing,” Vaughn said.

Although Vaughn is presented with great opportunities, she has no set goal for her future. She said she is “going with the flow.” Vaughn said there are a lot of singers and not enough jobs.

“There are so many singers, you have to be so multifaceted, you have to teach, and then you also need to be able to do musical theater, and so you can’t really just strive for one singular path because that only works for one percent of people,” Vaughn said.

Vaughn said that she would love to be singing opera on a professional stage, but she also loves musical theater. Ultimately, Vaughn wants to be performing and sharing her talent.

Vaughn said she has had many mentors throughout the years, with the first being Colleen Beucher who was her teacher until 8^th grade. The next teacher that Vaughn said she is grateful for is Karl Resnik, who was her teacher until the end of high school.

Vaughn is now learning under Katherine Jolly at Oberlin. Vaughn said Jolly has been instrumental in her growth in the past two and a half years.

Vaughn has a special interest in certain artists and songs. One of the common themes of the artists is that they are people of color. One of those artists is Margaret Bonds. Vaughn said that being a person of color herself, she is able to connect to these artists better.

“I mean, I’m learning in all of my classes like black people have had a space in classical music for so long from its origin and I think that’s kind of forgotten. So, to be able to sing this music and program it and actually research it in an academic setting has been really amazing,” Vaughn said.

Vaughn said she is beyond grateful for the opportunities that have been presented to her.

Vaughn said the best place to see her perform is on her .

“I strive to be like some of these amazing opera singers, but I also hope that I can forge my own path,” Vaughn said.

The post Twenty years old and performing on big stages first appeared on 91����.

Just a month after Target left the Park n’ Shop Plaza on Connecticut Avenue at Ordway Street, the new restaurant food hall will open its doors with a grand opening event on Dec. 4.

Liliana and Paulito Maslog, husband and wife and residents of Cleveland Park, said they are excited for Wonder to join the neighborhood.

Liliana Maslog was especially excited.

“You can choose whatever you want. We don’t have to decide anymore,” she said.

She shared that in her family of three, choosing dinner can be a difficult task, especially if everyone wants something different. She said that it makes things easier to be able to go to just one place rather than several places.

Paulito Maslog said he has never heard of Wonder before, but he saw the new sign and had to check it out. The couple said they are both excited for something like this to be so close.

“It is nice because it’s convenient,” Liliana Maslog said.

Jamie No, a resident of Cleveland Park, said she is happy for Wonder to open. No said she is happy that a food-hall-type place is coming to her neighborhood.

Jay Bose, a commissioner on Advisory Neighborhood Commission 3C, said the ANC has not received any negative input nor concerns from residents in Cleveland Park.

“I think people are more curious than anything. I will say that in general, people here are usually happy to see new restaurants coming to the neighborhood — I haven’t gotten the impression that it will harm our existing restaurants,” Bose stated.

Bose also said that he thought with all the disruptions to D.C.’s economy, any new businesses are welcome to the neighborhood. Bose said that he has not heard concerns from the already existing businesses in Cleveland Park.

partners with “celebrated chefs and restaurants” and brings the food and menus to local communities. Wonder allows for in-person dining or takeout.

Wonder has several locations around the DMV area.

According to Wonder’s website, the company sources its food from sustainable farming practices, including sourcing meat and poultry that is humanely raised and processed.

The website said that Wonder tries to have zero waste at all of its consumer locations.

“Our goal is to leverage our real estate to make a positive environmental impact,” according to the website.

The grand opening of Wonder in Cleveland Park is scheduled for Dec. 4, with the ribbon cutting happening at 4:30 p.m. According to the event page on , the first 100 guests will receive a special Wonder gift.

Wonder did not respond to request for comment.

The post New food hall set to open in Cleveland Park first appeared on 91����.

Montgomery County is in the process of updating its Friendship Heights Sector Plan, an outline that serves as a blueprint for development in the area. The officials at the Montgomery County Planning department have said they are reworking some of the plan to account for the new space and possible sale of the former GEICO property.

According to the , the sector plan aims to provide more housing, more environmental design, walkways/bike paths, more green spaces, and even a public library.

In early 2025, GEICO announced it was moving its headquarters to Bethesda by early 2026.

Elza Hisel-McCoy, the West County Planning Division chief for Montgomery County Planning, said that GEICO’s move will bring a big change to Friendship Heights. Hisel-McCoy said the Planning Division did an urban design study Friendship Heights, which opened the conversation about GEICO’s site and how it fit in the neighborhood.

“We learned in the urban design study that on weekends neighborhood folks use the green space for recreation. Folks have learned how to drive in the parking lot. So, it’s definitely been a part of the community for a long time,” Hisel-McCoy said.

Hisel-McCoy said residents of Friendship Heights are excited about parks and some are concerned about potential redevelopment of the site, especially since it is 26 acres. Hisel-McCoy said the site likely will be developed through phases over a long period of time.

“The sector plan right now is in the visioning stage,” he said.

, a “property owner collaborative focused on the transformation of Friendship Heights,” said it helps to give voice to residents of Friendship Heights and makes residents aware of what is happening in their neighborhood.

Alliance Executive Director Natalie Avery in a statement said the group is sorry to see the headquarters move but the site presents the neighborhood with many opportunities.

“Transforming surface parking into housing, green space, and welcoming gathering places will create a more connected and vibrant urban environment. With better walkability, active public spaces, and new homes, the site can help strengthen social connections and support the long-term vitality of Friendship Heights,” Avery said.

Avery said GEICO was an important neighbor in the Friendship Heights neighborhood that brought thousands of jobs. She said the company supported the neighborhood for years.

Roberta Avila, a resident of Friendship Heights, said the neighborhood has a lot of older people. Avila said that, although she does not see many young people, there is still a lot of people in the neighborhood.

“I love being here, very safe, quiet, and we have wonderful neighbors, very polite,” Avila said about Friendship Heights.

According to the the last time sector plans were updated was 1998. The scope said the plan envisioned a “mixed-use” concept that had office buildings, residential development, and green spaces, although, nothing has been done to further the developments.

In a statement to 91����, GEICO said, “We continue to work closely with Montgomery County, Village of Friendship Heights and other relevant state and local officials regarding the future redevelopment of this property. We are also working closely with the Friendship Heights Alliance and local community members throughout this process.”

The parking lot outside the former headquarters was nearly deserted, showing the large-scale site that will be left behind. At the main entrance to former headquarters there is sign showing information on the plan and where to find more .

While there is nothing set in stone, Hisel-McCoy said he believes GEICO will sell the former headquarters property.

The post Future of GEICO headquarters under discussion first appeared on 91����.

Residents say they are relieved that DC Water finally fixed the persistent water leak, which festered just outside the entrance to Sutton Towers, a condominium complex not far from the American University campus.

Jeanette Stavely, assistant building manager at Sutton Towers, said she is excited that the repair finally happened. She said she was concerned for residents especially with the colder temperatures underway.

“It is affecting our community because it is our community that is walking their dogs and walking their kids to school. And we do have a lot of elderly people, and we worry about them,” Stavely said.

Chris Doheny, another Sutton Towers assistant building manager, agreed that the water leak was causing safety issues and that it needed to be repaired.

DC Water completed the repairs days after 91���� published article highlighting the leak.

Both Stavely and Doheny said the article was likely the reason DC Water finally came out to work on the water leak, putting the utility in a spotlight it did not want. Doheny said he had been calling DC Water on a weekly basis and never heard anything.

In a written statement to 91����, DC Water said several crews have inspected the water leak over time to determine what the cause was.

“Earlier inspections were unable to determine whether the source was groundwater or coming from our water lines, as no infrastructure failure or leak was found,” DC Water said.

During investigations yesterday, the utility said it was finally able to confirm the source of the leak and scheduled the repair for the next day.

One of the workers at the water leak who asked to remain anonymous told 91���� that the leak was an easy fix.

Stavely confirmed that the water leak is now fixed.

Locals are relieved that something has finally happened to address the issue.

Raysa Amador, a frequent walker in the area, said she is happy something has been done.

“I love the idea. It was an eyesore,” Amador said.

Adrian Varallayay, who frequently walks his dog Gustav on New Mexico Avenue, said he is relieved. Varallayay said that the leak would freeze over and become very dangerous. Varallayay also said that he would have trouble keeping his dog out of the mess.

“It was always kind of gross. I always try to pull [Gustav] away because there was algae and all sorts of other weird stuff growing on it,” Varallayay said.

The post DC Water fixes long-running water leak in Wesley Heights first appeared on 91����.

While the rest of the country focuses on national policy debates centered on affordable healthcare, people in Washington, D.C., feel the weight of the shutdown each day.

Here’s how the federal government halt is playing out on the streets of the District:

Museums everywhere – but they’re closed

George Washington Law School student Bradley Suarez often brings his dog Maple to play fetch on the lawn of the National Mall. The Florida native said his mom tagged along a few weeks ago. It was unusually barren – no local artisans or food trucks set up outside.

Suarez said that’s not the only thing that’s changed. He had to find a new place to take study breaks, since the Smithsonian Institution museums closed.

He used to “pick one museum a day” to walk around between class work. Now, because of the shutdown, the doors are locked.

“I don’t like it,” Suarez said.

By Isabel Del Mastro

New normal

Rachel Callahan moved to D.C. two months ago, eager to start college at George Washington University and explore the city. Federal layoffs and a government shutdown welcomed her to the District.

Originally from Pittsburgh, Callahan said her parents are eager to visit for family weekend. But, since TSA is “all messed up” from the shutdown, she said they may not make the trip.

As the National Guard troops walk by the Foggy Bottom Metro, Callahan said she has only known a D.C. in shutdown.

“It’s just like normal for me at this point — it would be different if I was here before,” she said.

By Ellen Tannor

Empty city, empty restaurants 

Kevin Gonzales, a manager at Carvings, a casual American restaurant in Foggy Bottom, said he wonders how long the government’s pause will affect business.

“We are down to about 25% of our business’s revenue because federal employees stop coming to our establishment,” he said. The restaurant serves everything from quesadillas to Reuben sandwiches to chicken tenders.

The restaurant has been empty Wednesday, with only spurts of customers straggling in. Gonzales said the business may have to lay off morning staff if the shutdown continues.

By Lynn Howard

‘Disappointing’ trip

Rachel Jennische and Robert Muilenberg, both journalism professors at Del Mar College in Corpus Christi, Texas, flew with four undergraduate students to D.C. for MediaFest25, an annual conference for student journalists.

Jennische said she is disappointed, but not surprised, that the federal shutdown ruined their plans.

She wanted to take her students to visit the Smithsonian Institution museums, but the federal shutdown paused its funding. All 21 Smithsonian facilities closed their doors Sunday.

“I do mostly feel bad for our students because they don’t get the chance to travel much,” Jennische said. “That is disappointing.”

Instead, the group visited replicas of well-known D.C. sites, like The People’s House: A White House Experience.

By Isabel Del Mastro

No dinosaurs in D.C.

Matt, a French traveler who didn’t give his last name due to privacy concerns, is just in D.C. for two days as a part of a 60-day solo excursion throughout the United States. His trip started in New York and will end in Portland, Oregon.

He said he didn’t care about the federal shutdown at first. Then, it messed up his plans to visit the Smithsonian.

“Now, since I can’t go to see the dinosaurs, I’m kind of sad,” Matt said.

By Isabel Del Mastro

‘National gardeners’

Hundreds of thousands of furloughed federal workers are going without pay during the shutdown. The military, including National Guard members, could be the next to miss paychecks.

Protesting outside Union Station, veterans Matt Gordon and Blake Heinz said the National Guard should not have been deployed in D.C.

Gordon called the deployment “an embarrassment.” The guard has no clear orders, he said, and low morale. Guards assigned to beautification of the National Mall, have earned the nickname “National Gardeners,” Gordon said.

By Terrance Williams

Future ‘to be determined’

The shutdown is making it harder for Elizabeth Riekse, a senior international relations major at American University, to finish her capstone.

She planned to write about Thomas Jefferson’s Quran. Visiting the Library of Congress was essential to Riekse’s research. Now that it’s closed, the future of her project is “to be determined,” she said.

It’s not the first time the government changes have impacted Riekse. This summer, she interned at the US Department of Agriculture. Her job was cut during DOGE.

By Anastasia Menchyk

Democracy’s future

A group called For Liberation and Resistance Everywhere, a left-wing organization protesting Donald Trump’s presidency, has been on the lawn outside Union Station for months. Randy Kindle, a board member for the organization, said Trump’s presidency is a “multi-generational traumatic event.”

“If we don’t get Trump out by the end of the year, we won’t be a democracy for a long, long time,” he said.

Kindle said he has noticed fewer tourists since the shutdown started two weeks ago. He said he thinks Republicans and Democrats will reach a deal after the ‘No Kings’ protest Oct. 20.

By Terrance Williams

Federal workers ‘in panic’

Once a week Astor Archer stands around D.C. and spreads the word of God. He’s a Jehovah’s Witness, and said many of his friends and fellow parishioners who were furloughed are facing economic hardships.

Positioned in the heart of Foggy Bottom, across from Circa restaurant where federal workers pass by on their way to work, Archer said it seems like people are “in panic” at times.

Archer said he talks to everyone — doctors, nurses, federal workers and the general public. He looks through the pages of his bible for solutions for problems people are facing.

“It helps us see that there’s something better for mankind,” he said. “I’m here to give information, spread love and give hope.”

By Ellen Tannor

Nothing to see here

American University teaching assistant Jonah Gutterman, a 22-year-old junior from Philadelphia, usually escorts his intro-level government class on trips to federal buildings throughout the semester.

The shutdown cut those visits. “We were supposed to do a lot of really fun, exciting trips,” Gutterman said.

The class was scheduled to visit the Washington Monument and the Pentagon, he said, but the visit had to be cancelled. Gutterman said he doesn’t think the shutdown is close to ending.

“To be honest with you we haven’t covered it a whole lot in my congress class,” he said.

By Anastasia Menchyk

Life in limbo

Chris Ravenwind has been unhoused for four months. The path that led him there is tangled with the ripple effect of federal layoffs.

Originally from California, Ravenwind said he worked for a security company in Virginia — until he was abruptly laid off. He said he believed the layoffs were tied to the instability of the federal government.

Now, he said he spends his days submitting job applications and trying to find permanent housing, which is harder to nail down right now. Ravenwind said he is on a 5- to 8-year waiting list for government-assisted housing. For now, his next steps are simple: find food, get rest, keep trying.

“After I manage to get one responsible thing done, it’s about sleep and getting enough spare change to cope,” he said.

By Ellen Tannor

Staying optimistic

Fall is usually the busy season at Central Michel Richard, a French-American bistro near the Federal Triangle, said Ebony Miller, assistant general manager.

The restaurant’s main clientele are senators, lawyer groups and federal workers, she said.

The restaurant has seen a decrease in business since August, Miller said, but the federal shutdown has made it worse. She said her team is trying to stay optimistic.

“I’ve been trying to find creative ways just to make sure we put ourselves out there,” Miller said.

By Isabel Del Mastro

New business plan

Anuradha Mehra has sold handcrafted goods at Capital Harvest on the Plaza, a vendor market, for two years. But since the federal shutdown, she said her business has been suffering.

Mehra has 30 artisans crafting bags, scarves, and home goods in New Delhi, India, for her business IndiBlossom. She moved to D.C. 15 years ago and has been selling art for the past 10 years.

She said she only sells her goods in popup shops but, since the federal shutdown, she might create an online shop to help supplement business.

“I think in some ways I feel compelled to start my online space because, you know, with the way things are. But the shutdown is really just impacting people’s ability to shop,” said Mehra.

By Isabel Del Mastro

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Residents of the Wesley Heights neighborhood say that, beginning in February 2024, there has been a persistent water leak just outside the entrance to Sutton Towers, a condominium complex not far from the American University campus.

According to building managers at Sutton Towers, located at 3101 New Mexico Ave NW, residents reported the issue to DC Water and DC Water confirmed that the leak was within their jurisdiction. Even with the confirmation, DC Water has not fixed the leak, the managers said.

The water leak is along the sidewalk on New Mexico Ave, part of a large mud pile with water then pouring onto the street. The leak is located between two crosswalks across the avenue.

With colder months approaching, residents voiced their concerns at a September Advisory Neighborhood Committee 3B meeting. The meeting minutes said that Commissioner Rob Rodriguez has reached out to a project manager and tried to get timeline on fixing the leak, but that has not been resolved.

Sutton Towers Building Manager Angela Apel said the leak is dangerous and causes many issues during the cold months. The water freezes and causes trucks to drive on the sidewalk to avoid the ice, which not only is dangerous for drivers but also pedestrians walking on the sidewalk, Apel said.

Apel said that the trucks have destroyed the sidewalk, but that damage was repaired, unlike the water leak.

Jeanette Stavely, Sutton Towers assistant building manager, said that many families and people walk on this sidewalk, including children walking to school. The leak causes icy and muddy conditions that are dangerous to those who are walking on the sidewalk, Stavely said.

“The Sutton Towers management would love to see this leak investigated and repaired by DC Water to ensure the safety of our residents and those in the neighborhood,” Stavely said.

Stavely said residents have reached out to both DC Water and the District government to report the water leak in hopes of it being resolved.

Matthew Frumin, the councilmember for Ward 3 which includes Wesley Heights, did not respond to a request for comment.

Apel said on several occasions DC Water has alerted the complex that the water would be shut off. Apel said they would ask if DC Water would fix the leak, but  were told it was unrelated. DC Water then said they would return but would not follow through, according to Apel.

DC Water did not return requests for comment.

Julia Khoury, who frequently walks her dog Lucy on this sidewalk, said the leak is unpleasant. Khoury said the leak is worrisome as the colder months approach due to ice possibly forming.

Khoury said the ice will cause problems for the people who walk to school.

“I feel like a lot of D.C.’s infrastructure is lacking these days,” she said.

Khoury said that she hopes for the issue to be resolved but does not have high hopes.

The post Wesley Heights water leak not resolved after two years; DC Water silent first appeared on 91����.

Peled, conductor and celloist for the Baltimore-based , said the group loves to participate in events that serve the community. Peled said the orchestra is grateful to St. Ann for being invited back to participate in the concert series.

“It was only natural for us to say yes, because this serves exactly what we want, that anybody can step into this beautiful church and listen to our music,” Peled said.

St. Ann Catholic Church in Tenleytown is hosting its on certain Sundays at 3 pm to showcase classical artists.

The concert series launched earlier this month. Held on certain Sundays starting at 3 p.m., the free concerts showcase classical artists.

It will run until June 2026 and features the series largest lineup of artists to date.

Jan Gallucci, a parishioner of St. Ann Catholic Church, said she attends as many of the concerts as she can. Gallucci said that there is a good turnout at most of the concerts.

“It’s quite a large turnout. It doesn’t fill every seat, but I’ve come sometimes where I had to sit in the back,” Gallucci said.

Peled said the music can connect people. Music is a language like English, Russian, and Hebrew, and it’s one of the most understanding languages, he said.

“[Music as a language is] really the only language that’s not suggested, but forces the player to listen to one another,” Peled said.

The also is participating in this year’s series. Scott Tucker, the group’s artistic director, said that this is the first time the D.C.-based chorus is participating.

“Being new participants in a concert series allows people to hear us who otherwise might not. We’re excited about having some new attendees from the St. Ann community, the Tenleytown area, and American University students,” Tucker said.

The Camerata has been around for a little over 40 years. Tucker said that while they have participated in some events in the D.C. area, the Camerata is trying to become more involved in the community.

“We are actively looking for others as part of our commitment to civic participation across the area,” Tucker stated.

Tucker even teased what the Camerata’s show will look like which is happening on May 31, 2026.

“Our program in May will also be special because we’re celebrating the 250^th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence. We will be exploring American music, a particularly rich repertoire given the variety of cultural influences of the past 250 years,” Tucker said.

Tucker encourages people to join in on the music.

“Even if you’ve never come to a chorus concert, or heard a men’s choir, we hope you’ll come by. It’s a way to take a break from the crush of everyday life, rest your weary mind and soul, and feel uplifted,” Tucker stated.

Susannah Patton, a regular series attendee, said she attends the concerts when she can.

“I hate to miss one because they’re so good,” Patton said.

Patton said people should try not the miss these concerts with the remarkable people that are brought in to perform especially since they are free.

Not only is the concert series showcasing classical musicians, but it includes a fundraising event that is to take place in April 2026 to benefit the American Guild of Musical Artists () Relief Fund. The fund helps musical artists who are in need.

While the concerts are free, St. Ann Catholic Church accepts donations.

“Come and bring your kids and sing, you can even make noise. You can clap between movements, just be yourself and experience the joy of this language that we try to spread around,” Peled said.

Officials from St. Ann Catholic Church did not respond to requests for comment.

The post Bringing music to the community: Free concerts at Tenleytown church first appeared on 91����.

Students at American, Howard, Georgetown, and George Washington universities left class on Sept. 9 to protest the Trump administration’s deployment of the National Guard as part of a larger surge in federal law enforcement aimed at reducing crime. The walkout is the first major event at these campuses for this school year.

This past August, President Donald Trump declared the nation’s capital unsafe, citing rising violence. He declared a crime emergency and deployed federal law enforcement agents and members of the National Guard to address that crime.

“The city government’s failure to maintain public order and safety has had a dire impact on the Federal Government’s ability to operate efficiently to address the Nation’s broader interests without fear of our workers being subjected to rampant violence.” President Trump said in his executive order regarding the crime emergency.

The presence of the National Guard has many outraged in D.C., and the walkouts attracted students and citizens alike. The timeslots of the walkouts were staggered across the campuses, allowing more to attend at each event.

Organizers at these events had face coverings and were handing out face masks. According to Scout Cardillo, a lead organizer of the walkout at Georgetown, the masks were for security, to protect their identities. Cardillo also said that there has been an uptick in Covid cases in the area.

Amede Olisa, a freshman at American University, is not a stranger to protests. In high school, Olisa said she participated in a walkout against racism that was occurring in her school. Olisa said these events help bring awareness to situations that are otherwise not talked about enough.

Olisa said that while she does not think President Trump will respond to the walkouts, this is important for people to see and to become informed.

Cardillo also attended the walkout at American University. Cardillo said these events are effective.

“I think it’s effective because we are getting it on people’s radar, and it’s a situation that is becoming very real for people. We can step outside of class and see the national guard or see a federal agent. And it wasn’t like that before, and it doesn’t have to be this way.” Cardillo said.

Cardillo said that raising this awareness through events such as walkouts and protests helps more people become aware of a problem.

“This will push people to want to take action and demand better from lawmakers,” Cardillo said. “We receive a lot of community support.”

Free DC was the lead organization organizing the walkouts at the universities. Free DC began in 2023 with the “Hands Off DC” movement. The “Hands Off DC” movement has now transformed into a movement that is “led by the people of the District of Columbia to win dignity for our communities and exert our right to self-determination,” according to the Free DC website.

Free DC officials did not respond to requests for comment.

Anyone can join Free DC through its . Each ward has its own orientation and events.

So, what is next? At American University, several events are planned.

AU’s chapter of Amnesty International has several tablings scheduled, according to its Instagram. These events are bi-weekly on Mondays from 12 p.m. to 2 p.m.. It will discuss human rights issues in the United States of America and abroad. For more information, you can visit the chapter’s Instagram, @auamnesty.

Asher Heisten, vice president of the Taskforce for Democracy, was the main organizer for the walkout at AU. According to Taskforce for Democracy’s Instagram page, it an organization that “organizes students to fight autocracy and demand the just and inclusive democracy our generation deserves.”

Heisten said the Taskforce for Democracy is continuing to partner with other organizations across D.C. to plan more events and get their voices heard. Heisten said to visit the organization’s Instagram, @americanu4dc, for more information on events and involvement.

“We are pushing back here [American University] in order to demonstrate that there is resistance here,” Heisten stated.

As for Georgetown, Cardillo said that their organization plans on doing more public education events where students and D.C. citizens alike can go and learn about being part of the coalition that is formed when creating the walkouts. There is also the Free DC noisemaking event, which Cardillo said is not organized by the organization at Georgetown, but is Free DC specific.

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