Twitter and a Random Act of Kindness Turn D.C. Public School Teacher into Diva for a Night at Washington National Opera’s Opera Ball By Michelle Pendoley, Washington National Opera

Twitter and a Random Act of Kindness Turn D.C. Public School Teacher into Diva for a Night at Washington National Opera’s Opera Ball
By Michelle Pendoley, Washington National Opera
Washington, D.C. (May 20, 2009)—Sounds more like Oprah than opera: When Stephen Llewellyn of Portland, Oregon entered a Twitter contest and won tickets to Washington National Opera’s Opera Ball, he thought about hopping a plane to the nation’s capital. But instead, Mr. Llewellyn has made it his mission to create a special night for a perfect, but perfectly deserving, stranger. On June 5, Priscilla Barrow, a 22-year veteran music teacher in D.C. public schools (DCPS), will play diva for a night when she attends Opera Ball, a major fundraiser and one of D.C.’s glitziest social fetes, all thanks to Twitter and the generosity of a man 3,000 miles away.
Mr. Llewellyn, a transplanted Brit and former attorney who blogs for the Portland Opera as Operaman, wasn’t satisfied with simply donating his prize to Ms. Barrow, a resident of Cheverly, Maryland. In what can only be dubbed a “random act of kindness,” Mr. Llewellyn has identified an anonymous donor who will cover any associated costs, such as a tuxedo rental for her husband and car service, and he is soliciting a hotel partner, all part of his general effort to make Ms. Barrow’s night one to remember. At the suggestion of Mr. Llewellyn, Washington National Opera’s Costume Studio will outfit Ms. Barrow in a gown fit for a diva.
The story started in late April with a Twitter contest, dubbed “#operaplot” and created by freelance writer Marcia Adair of the blog The Omniscient Mussel. The premise was simple: entrants “tweet” the plot of an opera in 140 characters or less for a chance to win prizes donated by more than 30 opera companies around the globe. Of more than 500 entries, celebrity judge and soprano Danielle de Niese selected Mr. Llewellyn’s “tweet” of Wagner’s complete Ring cycle—no small feat considering the cycle is nearly 16 hours long. He chose as his prize the premiere package offered by Washington National Opera (WNO): premium seats to WNO’s Turandot on June 4 and tickets to Opera Ball at the residence of the German Ambassador on June 5.
A passionate opera lover, Mr. Llewellyn considered what to do with the prize, reasoning “I see a lot of opera and thought it would be fun to give someone else the opportunity. I’ve seen the results of the Portland Opera’s outstanding education programs, so I understand the value of music education. Having an inner-city music teacher enjoy the prize and be treated like a queen just seemed more and more ‘right,’ the more I thought about it.”
After confirming with WNO that he was free to transfer his prize to an individual of his choosing, Mr. Llewellyn started by contacting officials with DCPS for recommendations of music teachers who might appreciate the gesture. Without hesitation, officials referenced Priscilla Barrow, who in addition to her teaching post, is active in advocating for arts in public schools and in community outreach.

There is a certain happy irony in this story: Coincidentally, Ms. Barrow’s music classes at Emery Elementary in Northeast Washington participate in WNO’s DCPS Partnership program, a year-long enrichment initiative that introduces elementary-aged student to opera. Because Opera Ball is WNO’s major annual fundraiser, donations directly support the company’s artistic and education programming, and funds raised through the event will ultimately find their way to Ms. Barrow’s classroom through the Opera’s DCPS Partnership.
“When Stephen [Llewellyn] called to offer me the chance to attend Opera Ball, I was speechless. It was all so unexpected,” commented Ms. Barrow. “I’m touched and honored. And I’m very excited to represent Washington-area music educators and their students at Opera Ball.”
Mr. Llewellyn adds that, “While I am sure I would have had a great time at Opera Ball, I honestly believe I have had even more pleasure in getting this whole project together and seeing how excited and helpful other people have been.”