If you see De’jon Dash walking down the hall at Brookstone
you can usually count on two things: that he has a big smile on his face and
that he is happily humming a tune in his already-developed tenor voice. So, it
was not surprising to his mother or those of us who know him here at
Brookstone, when he was cast in the Opera Carolina production of “Rise For
Freedom.” This English opera written for the stage by Dr. Adolphus Hailstork, a
living African American composer, was performed for Charlotte audiences April
3rd-5th, including De’jon’s mother, Tasha and his brother and little sister.
They were all awed at his performance and so proud of their son and brother. I
asked his mom what one thing impacted De’jon the most about this experience. She gave me three: the education about the
Underground Railroad, the opportunity to sing and perform with professional
actors and singers, and the friendship her son developed with his on-stage
father. She also said she was “so grateful” that De’jon had this opportunity
and she knows it would not have been possible without Brookstone School.
What’s next for De’jon? According to him, he CAN’T WAIT to
be on stage again. We can’t wait either!