But for Durango High School student Grace Wilmes, her invitation to perform at one of the world’s most famous venues came early thanks to a nomination by DHS orchestra teacher Alex “Rusty” Charpentier.

Wilmes, a violinist, was one of 750 musicians selected from 18,000 applications from around the world to perform in the 2017 High School Honors Performance Series, which includes four choirs, a band, a symphony orchestra and a string ensemble.

Wilmes was selected for the string ensemble. They rehearsed for five days with Conductor Kirt Mosier and explored New York City before their performance Feb. 5.

A student of Martha Sandy Keifer, Wilmes is a member of the DHS Orchestra and has played with the Durango Youth Symphony, the San Juan Symphony’s Side-by-Side Orchestra and in the summer chamber music series at St. Mark’s Episcopal Church.

She is the daughter of Jessie Wilmes and Tom Hafnor.

Herald Staff