by guest contributor Emma Moores
Photo credit: Shannon Finney
“What a fine evening it was to get together with great friends in support of the Chorus and, most importantly, honor two very special people: my good friend and one of the city’s greatest champions for the arts and culture, Leonard Silverstein, and our own cherished Executive Director, Dianne Peterson,” board member Knight Kiplinger told Hollywood on the Potomac. “It was a thrill to be part of the celebrations of these special people.”
Jacqueline Mars, Gala Co-Chairman Knight Kiplinger, Betsy Kleeblatt, Kennedy Center President Deborah Rutter
The Washington Chorus, in partnership with the French-American Cultural Foundation celebrated its Parisian Spring Kennedy Center concert with a gala at La Maison Française at the French Embassy in Washington, DC. In addition to raising funds for the Chorus’s education and outreach programming, the evening was an opportunity to celebrate honorees Leonard Silverstein, former founding President of the French-American Cultural Foundation, and Dianne Peterson, retiring Executive Director of The Washington Chorus.
Ambassador Louise Oliver and honoree Leonard Silverstein
Featured performances included Blake High School’s A CAPPELLA, which was selected for TWC’s 2014 side-by-side high school choir program, and The Washington Chorus, performing a selection from the May 1 Kennedy Center concert. Surprise guest tenor Vale Rideout serenaded Dianne Peterson with a rendition of The Beatles’ Michelle Ma Belle rewritten with lyrics to honor Dianne.
TWC Executive Director Dianne Peterson
Guests included Jenny Bilfield and Joel Friedman, Chris and Pamela Denby, Mimi Forwood, Ginny Friend, Nan and Paul Ignatius, Michele Imhoff, Knight and Ann Kiplinger, Sachiko Kuno, Jan and Elizabeth Lodal, Michael Mael, Arvind Manocha and Gideon Malone, Ambassador Louise Oliver and Daniel Oliver, Jean and Tom Rutherfoord, and Deborah Rutter and Peter Ellefson.
TWC Board Chairman Chris Denby
