Connecticut Jazz Choir Hosting Several Fundraisers for Trip to Olympic Village

As she prepares to travel to Olympic Village in London to perform with the Greater Hartford Academy of the Arts Real Ambassadors jazz choir later this month, it’s all still a little surreal for Hannah Benson.

“It’s still hard to believe,” the 17-year-old Canton resident said. “It’s like a dream come true.”

She said it’s been that way since the 14 members of the group found out about the trip in late May, it still hasn’t quite sunk in.

“None of us thought it was a reality,” she said.

What has been a reality, however, is the hard work involved. The group has been practicing for several hours a day and as the date gets closer are participating in a myriad of television and live performances to help raise the $70,000 needed to make the trip.

Hannah, who attended Canton Schools through 8^th grade, will be a senior this fall. She hopes to make music a career or at the very least keep singing a big part of her life and this experience has shown it takes work.

“I’ve been working a lot harder on my music this summer,” she said. “It shows you have to get up and give it your best.”

The group leaves July 27 and during its week in London will perform two 40-minute shows in Olympic Village and at least one theater concert.

Hannah’s mother Nancy agrees that it still seems a bit surreal.

“I won’t believe it until I board the plane,” she said.

Nancy Benson, who will also make the trip, said it’s also an honor to be what she believes is the only U.S. Group selected.

“It’s really a national honor,” she said.

The public will have several opportunities to hear and help support the group over the next few days. Tuesday night, it took away roughly $1,000 from a fundraiser at Harry’s Pizza in West Hartford and most fundraising hosts will donate part of their proceeds and the choir will perform and put out a tip jar.

In addition to Hannah, choir members include 

Vocalists: Chrystal Clements, Davia Davis, Luz Holmes, Gordon Jones and
Malcolm Mitchell, all of Hartford; Jesse Crofton and Domenic Pellegrini, both of Southington; Jack Ploszaj of West Simsbury; Samantha Gilbert of Granby and Ashley Lewis of Rockville.

Instrumentalists: Andre Bernier of Farmington, Nicholas Charlton of Southington and Justin Dubree of Berlin.

Fundraising and performance dates include:

• July 12 — Live Performance - Fox 61 News - 8:25 a.m.
• July 15 — Smokin’ with Chris, 59 West Center St, Southington from 1 to 4 p.m.
• July 16 — Special performance for Governor Dannel Malloy at The Greater Hartford Academy of the Arts 1:30 p.m. — FREE
• July 17 — Antonio’s, 1185 Hopmeadow St, Simsbury, 11:30 a.m. to 9 p.m., with the choir arriving at approximately 6 p.m.
• July 18 —Ben and Jerry’s, 110 Albany Turnpike, Canton 5 to 8 p.m.
• July 21 — Simsbury Stop and Shop — 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. 

Donations can also be sent to:

Hannah Benson
20 Maple Ave.
Canton, CT  06019

Make the check out to; GHAA and in the subject line put in The Real Ambassadors.