By Cindy Peterson
Leesburg High Choir Selected to Perform at Carnegie Hall
The Leesburg High School Choir is heading toward one of the most celebrated stages in the world after being selected to perform at Carnegie Hall in New York City in March 2026. The invitation is a rare honor for any high school ensemble and marks a milestone members have been working toward for months.
For many of the students, the trip represents a dream they never imagined could become reality. The choir includes singers from all walks of life, and for some, traveling out of state, let alone to New York City, will be a first.
Since summer, students have committed to extra rehearsals, weekend practices and additional performances to prepare for the opportunity. They have also launched ongoing fundraising efforts, singing at local businesses and community events across Lake County to help cover the cost of the trip. Those efforts will continue throughout the next two weeks as they work to reach their final goal.
“We’re just over halfway there, but we still need support,” says Choir Director Ja’Quan Floyd. “This will be the opportunity of a lifetime for many of our singers, and any donation, no matter the size, makes a real difference.”
The choir still needs about $20,000 to cover travel, lodging and performance expenses for the group of selected students. School staff and families hope to bridge that gap so every singer who earned a spot has the chance to perform on one of the most iconic stages in music history.
Community support has already played a major role in getting the students this far. Local residents have donated during pop-up performances, businesses have invited the choir to sing for customers and families have volunteered time and resources to help fundraise.
As the Carnegie Hall performance approaches, school leaders say the experience will not only reward the students’ hard work but also represent Leesburg on a national stage.
“These kids represent the very best of Florida,” says Ja’Quan. “With continued support from our community, we know we can get them to Carnegie Hall.”
Contact floydj1@lake.k12.fl.us for more information or click here to donate.
Originally from the small town of Berryville, Arkansas, Cindy has become a multimedia specialist in journalism, photography, videography, and video editing. She has a B.S. in Communications from the University of Central Arkansas and produces Style Magazine's Sports Hub Podcast and the Healthy Living Podcast. She also produces for Beacon College’s Telly Award-winning PBS show, “A World of Difference.” When she isn’t working, Cindy loves traveling the National Parks with her husband , Ryan, and son, David, photographing wildlife.
