Exit12 Gala Performance Digital Program by Exit12 Executive Team

celebrating veterans + the power of the arts

FRIDAY, MAY 2, 2025 7:00PM

Constitution Hall

Washington, DC

Photo: Tracy Dorman

WELCOME AND THANK YOU FOR JOINING US

Exit12 Dance Company, the Daughters of the American Revolution, and all of our collaborators and partners thank you for joining us tonight at this incredible venue in the heart of our nation’s capital.

The experiences of those who serve and the lasting impact of that service on their families are as complex as they are profound. These stories are often difficult to put into words, but as you will see tonight, movement, music, and storytelling have a powerful way of making them felt and understood.

Together, we all strive to heal, to educate, and to advocate through art to create space for empathy, connection, and transformation.

We’re especially proud to share a new work created in collaboration with veterans, family members, and supporters from right here in the DC Metro Area. It’s an honor to lift up their voices through this performance.

Our hope is that you leave tonight with two truths in your heart: first, that the struggles faced by members of the military community deeply matter—and they can be met with compassion, understanding, and real solutions. And second, that caring for our physical and mental wellbeing is vital, and one of the most meaningful ways we can do that together is through the healing power of the arts.

Thank you and enjoy the evening,

ROMÁN BACA

Artistic Director and Co-Founder

Exit12 Dance Company

Photo: Stacy Pearsall

GALA PERFORMANCE

PROGRAM ORDER

OPENING REMARKS ...........................................................Maureen Kaplan Exit12 Dance Company Board Member

THE STAR SPANGLED BANNER LCpl Travia Jackson, USMC Quantico Marine Band

OH, BACA!

Baca, USMC

SOMETIMES, SILENCE ....................................Exit12 Dance Company Artists

Choreography: Angela Scimonelli, Army Mom

Music: Paul Scimonelli, US Marine Band (Ret.)

WOMAN IN A CAR IN FALLUJAH

CONFLICT(ED)

FINALLY ONE OF THE BOYS

WHIMS OF WAR AND ROMANCE***

PTSD AND ME

OUT OF THE DARKNESS

THE LAST LETTER HOME

Baca, USMC

Dance Company Artists

Choreography: Román Baca, USMC

Music: A Lechner & V Tsabropoulos

Maureen Elias, US Army, Armed Services Arts Partnership

Company Artists

Choreography: Román Baca, USMC

Music: Jesús Daniel Hernández, US Army and Michael Bard

Rodney Remson, US Army, Armed Services Arts Partnership

Exit12 Company Artists and Workshop Participants

Choreography: Exit12 Company Artists and Workshop Participants*

Soundscape: Matthew Harding

Dance Company Artists

Choreography: Román Baca, USMC, Lisa Fitzgerald, and Exit12 Artists

Live Music: Chris Ferrara

Additional Music: CreatiVets** Wooden rifle sculptures design: Lumia Liu

THE LETTER I GAVE TOM Román Baca, USMC CLOSING

FOLLOWING THE PERFORMANCE, JOIN US FOR A WINE AND CHEESE RECEPTION IN THE LOBBY

Kaplan **See list of songs and artists on the following pages** ***A whimsical collaboration by two Iraq War Veterans supported by Savage Wonder. It speaks to the raw, unfiltered creativity that emerges when people who have experienced life at its most intense turn to the arts. ***

GALA PERFORMANCE

EXIT12 DANCE COMPANY

Román Baca

Co-Founder and Artistic Director

Lisa Fitzgerald

Co-Founder and Associate Artistic Director

Adrienne de la Fuente Executive Director

Taylor Gordon Artistic Associate

Artists

Audrey Borst, Nicholas Cunha, Adrienne de la Fuente, Taylor Gordon, Lisa Fitzgerald, Eduard Gotthelf, Kevin Ortiz Lemus

Production Stage Manager: Kaitlyn Meegan

Assistant Stage Manager: Cayla Hall

Exit12’s DC Gala Celebrating Veterans & the Power of the Arts is sponsored in part by the Daughters of the American Revolution, Amazon Military, and the Hunt Family Foundation, powered by Veterans Collaborative

DAUGHTERS OF THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION

Pamela Rouse Wright President General

ARMED SERVICES ARTS PARTNERSHIP

Brian Jenkins CEO

CREATIVETS

Richard Casper

Co-Founder and Executive Director

*CreatiVets Music I Can’t Cry Never Forget Them Trigger Purpose

We Are America by Johnny and Hiedi, Chris Ferrara, Erik Dylan, and Kalsey Kuylk

You can listen to the whole catalogue at: https://creativets lnk to/FollowWE

GALA PERFORMANCE

WORKSHOP PARTICIPANTS

Anne Barlieb, Maj. (Ret.) US Army

Angela M. Waller, US Army (Ret.)

Chunté Gonzalez, TSgt (Ret.), USAF

Edgar Farr Russell III, Lt Col USAF (RET)

Keith R. Prather, US Army CW4 (Ret.)

Mia Neal, Military Brat

Lauren Pompey

Rae Lietzau, USMC

Orie Frazer, LCDR (Ret.), 28 year

Veteran, USAF, USN, US Army

Andrew Enriquez, US Army

GALA PERFORMANCE

EXIT12 DANCE COMPANY

ROMÁN BACA

Artistic Director, USMC Iraq War Veteran

Román Baca is a classically trained ballet dancer, choreographer, and military veteran whose career bridges the worlds of performing arts and military service. In 2001, compelled by a profound commitment to protect the defenseless, he paused his artistic pursuits to enlist in the United States Marine Corps, serving honorably as a machine-gunner and fire-team leader during combat operations in Fallujah, Iraq during the Iraq War.

Following his deployment, Mr. Baca returned to the arts and co-founded Exit12 Dance Company, using dance as a transformative vehicle to tell the stories of veterans, civilians, and families impacted by war. His choreographic works interrogate the human experience of conflict, fostering empathy and understanding across diverse communities. Mr. Baca also leads workshops and lectures at schools, universities, organizations, and veterans’ centers nationwide, inspiring critical conversations about the profound impact of war through the power of dance and artistic expression

Mr. Baca earned his BA in Performing Arts, cum laude, from St. Mary’s College of California and was awarded a prestigious Fulbright Scholarship to pursue an MFA in Choreography at the Trinity Laban Conservatoire of Music and Dance in London, UK, where he graduated with Merit.

Currently, Mr. Baca is a PhD Candidate at York St. John University (UK), where his research investigates the role of the performing arts within military communities. His expertise in arts and recovery programming led him to work as a consultant with The Drive Project, where he led on Bravo 22 a Royal British Legion-funded Recovery through the Arts initiative and contributed to a pioneering arts and recovery pilot program with the UK Ministry of Defence. He has also spearheaded projects for the Soldiers’ Arts Academy C.I.C. and served on the leadership team that delivered the inaugural UK Veterans Art Festival in partnership with the 2019 UK Invictus Trials.

Mr. Baca’s leadership and artistic contributions have been widely recognized. He is a 2024 Scholar with the George W. Bush Institute’s Stand-To Veteran Leadership Program and the recipient of numerous accolades including a 2020 scholarship to York St. John University, the 2019 Fulbright Association’s Selma Jeanne Cohen Dance Lecture Award, a 2017–2018 US-UK Fulbright Postgraduate Award, a 2018 HillVets Nomination, induction into the 2015 New York State Veterans’ Hall of Fame, and the 2014 Art and Healing Network Award. He has further distinguished himself as a fellow with Veterans in Global Leadership, The Mission Continues, and Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America.

GALA PERFORMANCE

EXIT12 DANCE COMPANY

LISA FITZGERALD

Associate Artistic Director, Artist

Lisa Fitzgerald is an international ballet dancer, educator, and choreographer originally from Massachusetts. She graduated from the Nutmeg Conservatory for the Arts' professional ballet training program and went on to perform with Connecticut Ballet, Ballet Theatre Company, Sarah Berges Dance, Ballet Ambassadors, and for renowned choreographers in New York City and London.

As co-founder of Exit12 Dance Company, Ms Fitzgerald was a driving force in orienting Román Baca’s return to the arts to aid his reintegration into civilian life following his military deployment to Iraq, and to help others find healing through the transformative power of the arts. As a military spouse and professional dancer, Lisa saw that dance could help amplify military voices, foster empathy, and build community among veterans, service members, and their families. What started as a deeply personal endeavour became a mission that continues.

As an educator, Ms. Fitzgerald has taught for leading organizations such as the Mark Morris Dance Group, Ballet Theatre Company, Regal Ballet London, West London School of Dance, Pineapple Dance Studios, Danceworks London and London Ballet Classes. She has choreographed and staged both original and classical ballets for youth and pre-professional programs, prepared students for elite ballet competitions, and served as a teaching artist committed to making dance accessible to underserved communities.

Ms. Fitzgerald graduated summa cum laude from St. Mary’s College of California with a BA in Performing Arts. She holds certification in the first three years of professional ballet pedagogy from the Bolshoi Ballet Teacher Certification Program and is currently pursuing her MA in Education (Dance Teaching) with the Royal Academy of Dance in London, UK, where her dissertation research explores Exit12’s community dance practice with military-affiliated participants.

GALA PERFORMANCE

EXIT12 DANCE COMPANY

ADRIENNE DE LA FUENTE

Executive Director, Artist

Adrienne de la Fuente is a seasoned dance artist, leader, and arts advocate whose dedication to the transformative power of movement has shaped her dynamic career with Exit12 Dance Company. Since joining Exit12 in 2010, Adrienne has been a driving force within the company performing in powerful, socially engaged works and leading workshops that connect civilians, veterans, and military families across the United States and internationally. Her deep commitment to Exit12’s mission has seen her rise through the organization’s ranks: she was named Company Manager and Rehearsal Director in 2016, became a Board Member in 2018, and was appointed Executive Director in 2024.

Through her artistic and administrative leadership, Adrienne has helped elevate Exit12’s role at the intersection of dance and military experience, amplifying stories of service and sacrifice through choreography and performance. The daughter of a former Army Captain, she has explored the military’s influence on her family and community with increasing urgency particularly after the loss of her cousin, a U S Marine and Afghanistan War Veteran, to a drug overdose in 2022 This personal tragedy has deepened her resolve to harness dance as a tool for healing and dialogue.

Originally from California, Adrienne trained under Richard Gibson and Zory Karah at the Academy of Ballet and with Fran Spector Atkins at SpectorDance, where she also performed as a company member. She appeared in Figures in the Dust, a critically acclaimed work inspired by John Steinbeck’s The Grapes of Wrath. After relocating to New York City for college, Adrienne continued her dance studies at The Ailey School while earning her B.A. in French Studies and Philosophy with a minor in Spanish from Fordham College at Lincoln Center.

Beyond Exit12, Adrienne has danced with the JUNTOS Collective, Brooklyn Ballet, and numerous New York-based choreographers, cultivating a diverse performance portfolio that spans classical ballet to contemporary and socially engaged dance. Her parallel career in organizational leadership includes serving as Chief Operating Officer of Private Prep, an educational services company headquartered in NYC, where she applied her strategic and operational expertise to support student success nationwide.

GALA PERFORMANCE

EXIT12 DANCE COMPANY

TAYLOR GORDON

Artistic Associate, Artist

Taylor Gordon has been deeply connected to Exit12 since 2010 Her brother was in the Army, deployed twice to Afghanistan, and took his own life in 2016. This fuels her passion for sharing Exit12’s mission with new audiences.

Taylor has performed at Lincoln Center with The Metropolitan Opera Ballet, The Radio City Christmas Spectacular, The Kennedy Center, Carnegie Hall, Jacob’s Pillow, Off-Broadway, several national and international tours, television, NY City Center Encores! pre production, and with numerous ballet & contemporary companies. She trained at Boston Ballet, The Rock School, and Ballet Academy East. She was featured in The New York Times, Dance Magazine, CNN, NBC, CBS, ABC, Fox5, The Huffington Post, Dance Spirit, The Times of India, Dance Teacher & Dance Spirit Magazines

An international choreographer, Taylor has taught in Japan, China, India, Bali, Broadway Dance Center, The United Nations Ballet Club, and across NYC and the US. She was a Show Supervisor for RWS Global and Resident Director for Dublin Worldwide Productions. Choreography credits include Princeton University, STEPS Beyond Foundation, Dixon Place, Jazz Choreography Enterprises, “Juliette’s Miracle” film, Uptown Rising, Asian-American Film Awards, and the recent premiere of her original show “UNPACKED: a dance adventure” about her brother’s story. www.taylorjgordon.com

EXIT12 BOARD OF DIRECTORS

DAVE DE LA FUENTE, Ph.D. - President

MAUREEN KAPLAN - Treasurer

TAYLOR GORDON - Secretary

LIZ K. FREEMAN - Director

CALIA BRENCSONS-VAN DYK - Director

LCDR MATTHEW A. MITCHELSON - Director

ADRIENNE DE LA FUENTE - Director

ROMÁN BACA - Director

LISA FITZGERALD - Director

GALA PERFORMANCE

EXIT12 COMPANY ARTISTS

AUDREY BORST

Artist

Audrey Borst is originally from Berkeley, California, and trained in ballet and modern dance at the San Francisco Ballet, Dance Theater of Harlem and Alonzo King LINES Ballet and danced for Sarah Bush Dance Project, Peninsula Ballet, and the Oakland Ballet School.

Since graduating from Alvin Ailey on scholarship she has danced with companies such as Jamal Jackson Dance, Dance-Lab New York, Julia Gleich Dance, Brooklyn Ballet, and The Love Show, performing works by Darshan Bhueller, George Balanchine, Antony Tutor, and Jeremy McQueen and can be seen in the musical Francois and the Rebels at the Public Theater by Jamie Cepero

NICHOLAS CUNHA

Artist

Nicholas Cunha is a singer, dancer and actor currently based in New York City. A graduate of the University of Toronto, he joined the Conservatory at Circle in the Square Theater on Broadway (KPOP, Fun Home, Once On This Island, Oklahoma!) as an apprentice and has gone on to star in Macbeth and Spring Awakening. Nicholas has also performed as a guest artist of New York City Ballet at NY City Center, David Geffen Hall at Lincoln Center as a classical voice soloist (Cherubini's Requiem), Paper Mill Playhouse, and the Shaw Festival as an actor in On Your Feet and White Christmas respectively. A truly international champion of the arts, Nicholas is represented by CESD Talent in New York.

EDUARD GOTTHELF

Artist

Ed Gotthelf is a trained actor, singer and dancer who studied at the Sorbonne University in Paris, France. He went on to work professionally in the UK before moving to the US. Favorite credits include- National Tours: Chicago The Musical (Fred Casely), An American in Paris (Henri Baurel Understudy), South Pacific (Henry) Regional: Newsies (Race), Les Miserables (Marius), Nice Work If You Can Get It. Ed is very excited to share the work of Exit 12 and feels honored to be able to tell such a meaningful message.

GALA PERFORMANCE

EXIT12 COMPANY ARTISTS AND GUESTS

KEVIN ORTIZ LEMUS

Artist

Kevin Ortiz Lemus, originally from Guatemala, is an actor and dancer by profession He began his artistic training at the National School of Dramatic Art in Guatemala City and later pursued professional studies in Contemporary Dance and Ballet, completing an independent study program at the International Peridance Dance School.

Kevin has participated in numerous artistic events in Guatemala and around the world. Throughout his professional career, he has been part of renowned dance companies such as the National Modern and Folkloric Ballet of Guatemala, the National Ballet of Guatemala, Peridance Contemporary Dance Company, Yuka Kawazu’s Danse En L’Air, Males on Pointe (Mexico), AcceptDANCE, Staten Island Ballet, Lynch Ballet Company, as well as other smaller companies across Guatemala and the United States.

Currently, Kevin is an active member of Exit12 Dance Company, Brooklyn Ballet ,and Ballet Eloelle/Gran Diva. His passion for the arts has led him to explore various dance styles, acting, modeling, television, and his current roles as a ballet teacher and choreographer.

CHRIS FERRARA

Musician, CreatiVets

A staunch supporter of the military, Chris Ferrara is a Nashville-based, blue-eyed soul singer-songwriter who devotes much of his time to CreatiVets. Over the last 10 years, Ferrara has written over 50 songs with the program, most notably “Old Glory” which was used as the coming home song for the USS Theodore Roosevelt in 2015.

He wishes to thank Roman, Adrienne, and all of Exit12 Dance Co for inviting him back to perform alongside them- this time in our nation’s capital.

GALA PERFORMANCE

GUEST ARTISTS (CONT)

JESÚS DANIEL HERNÁNDEZ

Classically Trained Tenor, US Army Iraq War Veteran

Tenor Jesús Daniel Hernández was born and raised in the lovely town of Ciudad Juárez, Chihuahua, México. As a child his biggest dream was to be a singer. He wanted to sing like Pedro Infante and Jorge Negrete, two big idols of Mexico. It was very common to hear young Jesus singing around the halls of his middle school in Juárez, Mexico. It was during that time that he saw on television the concert with the Three Tenors and his interest for classical music was born

In 2003 Jesus enlisted in the U.S ARMY in 2003. At the end of that same year he volunteered to go to Iraq to serve in OIF (Operation Iraqi Freedom). One night outside of the military Camp of Taji while in Iraq, the tenor remembered his dreams of being an opera singer while reading the Alchemist by Paolo Coelho.

Even though he enjoyed his job as a soldier, he felt that something was missing in his life, and that was his desire to sing In 2007, while stationed in Texas, the tenor learned that one of his child idols was going to perform in San Antonio, TX. Upon seeing the price of the tickets he wrote an email to the then director of the San Antonio Opera, Mark Richter, asking him if they offered a military discount, so he could see his idol Placido Domingo. The opera director graciously told him not to worry about it, that the ticket was free for him for serving his country.

At the end of the concert the young tenor went backstage to ask his idol for an autograph While Maestro Domingo was signing his program he asked the young tenor if he liked his concert and his music, to which the young soldier, responded that he always wanted to sing like him. Maestro Domingo invited him to sing for him in his dressing room in an impromptu audition, and after listening to the young tenor, Maestro Domingo invited him to be part of his prestigious Domingo-Cafritz young artist program in Washington, DC in 2008.

While in the program, Jesús participated in different concerts and operas with Placido Domingo Since then the Tenor Jesús Daniel Hernández has been dedicated to singing to all kinds of audiences with his beautiful, sweet, and powerful voice all over the world. All thanks to a dream of a young boy, which he pursued until his dream became reality.

GALA PERFORMANCE

GUEST ARTISTS (CONT)

MICHAEL BARD

Musician

Michael Bard is an active musician, composer and teacher who resides near Washington, D.C. He has performed as a soloist and with various musical ensembles throughout the United States, Europe, Japan, North Africa, South America, Central America and the Middle East. He has also been featured on various radio and television programs around the world. He has served as Vice President of the Dayton Classical Guitar Society as well as Vice President of the Washington Guitar Society

As a performer, Michael was chosen by the U.S. State Department to concertize throughout Yemen, Saudi Arabia, Jordan, Bahrain, and the kingdom of Morocco with fellow guitarist Corey Whitehead. Michael has performed for many luminaries and dignitaries including former President Bill Clinton, former Vice President Al Gore as well as various members of royalty throughout the Middle East & South America.

RODNEY REMSON

Storyteller, Armed Services Arts Partnership

Rodney Remson Jr considers himself an ally in the arts Rodney is a provocative storyteller, an independent filmmaker, and a veteran of the U S Army

He has shared some of his life stories in many places including in front of hundreds at galas, for ABC News, and the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C. Rodney enjoys sharing and working with other artists operating in their gifts, whether it is mining the emotional badlands, enjoying a hearty laugh, or being moved by universal truths, Rodney continues to subscribe to community through the arts.

Rodney is currently finishing a documentary on the Gold Star Families and the support group at Middle East Conflicts Memorial Wall outside of Chicago in Marseilles, Illinois Rodney is an alum and fellow storytelling instructor for the Armed Services Arts Partnership. He recently performed at the Governor’s mansion in Maryland with other A.S.A.P. artists for April’s Month of the Military Child.

He loves traveling the world, bringing his hiking boots with him, boxing, and getting his cheese fries fix when possible

GALA PERFORMANCE

GUEST ARTISTS (CONT)

MAUREEN ELIAS

Storyteller, Armed Services Arts Partnership

Maureen Elias is a U.S. Army veteran and proud spouse of a retired service member. A passionate advocate, she has testified before Congress, shared her insights on numerous podcasts, and published articles across a variety of media platforms. Since 2020, Maureen has served as a storytelling instructor with the Armed Services Arts Partnership, helping Veterans, service members, families, survivors, and caregivers find power and healing in their personal narratives. Her storytelling performances have taken her to stages at the Atlas Intersections Festival, The Kennedy Center, and even the White House. But no matter the spotlight, Maureen’s heart lies in empowering others to tell their stories with courage and authenticity And of all her accomplishments, Maureen is most proud of her greatest title mom to Michael, Gabrielle, and Coraline.

ANGELA SCIMONELLI

Guest Choreographer, Army Mom

Angela Scimonelli has been in the Performing Arts since the age of 5 and professional career in ballet at the age of 16 studying and performing through out the US and England. Angela holds advanced certificates in the Cecchetti Method of Ballet for performance and teaching. Ballet companies include The American Contemporary Ballet Company, the Connecticut Ballet and the National Ballet of Maryland. She has also performed with the Los Angeles Opera, Seattle Opera, Baltimore Opera, and choreographed for the Houston Grand Opera Teaching credits include the University of Maryland Baltimore, Mercersburg Academy and Goucher College. Angela’s acting career has been in musicals and plays, some Helen Hayes nominees and winners, in the Washington DC metro area theaters.

Currently, she is guest choreographer with Exit 12 Dance Company in New York, under the direction of founder Roman Baca. Featured in The Wall Street Journal, The Village Voice, NBC News, NPR, and the NEA Magazine, the company has been dubbed " an unusual union of dance and topicality" by the New York Times, exposes communities to artistic advocacy for veterans and healing". Exit 12 premiered Angela’s new work, “Sometimes, Silence”, a narrative ballet, which communicates the toll military deployment takes on relationships, told from a mother's point of view. Sarah Kaufman of the Washington Post called the work, "straightforward, exquisitely simple and unmuddled with cliche or overwrought emotionalism... If you are a mom, it is almost more than you can bear."

GALA PERFORMANCE

GUEST ARTISTS (CONT)

DR. PAUL SCIMONELLI

Composer and Musician

Dr. Paul Scimonelli retired in 2014 after sixteen years on the Performing Arts Faculty at the Landon School in Bethesda, Maryland, where he taught General Music, Music Theory, Music History, Chamber Ensemble, Lower, Middle, and Upper School String Ensembles, as well as assisting with the Jazz Band.

From 1969 to 1973, Dr. Scimonelli was a member of The United States Marine Band, “The President Own.” His primary duty was to perform at The White House and The State Department, as well as many other diplomatic functions. While there, he accompanied such luminaries as Peggy Lee, Vickie Carr, Sammy Davis Jr , The Fifth Dimension, Johnny Mathis, Red Skelton, Garry Puckett, Jerome Hines, Bob Hope and others for private Presidential audiences.

DAUGHTERS OF THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION

PAMELA ROUSE WRIGHT

President General of the National Society Daughters of the American Revolution

Pamela Wright brings extensive leadership experience to her role as President General of the National Society Daughters of the American Revolution. She has been involved with DAR for more than 35 years, and has served in multiple chapter, state, and national positions before becoming President General, giving her a deep understanding of the hard work that goes into local chapter operations and how that impacts the experiences members have. Exemplifying the DAR’s commitment to volunteerism, Pamela is no stranger to service. Her own diverse philanthropic endeavors have been recognized through numerous awards in her local community She has also devoted her time and energy by serving in leadership roles on various business associations and nonprofit organizations.

She encourages DAR’s nearly 190,000 members to embrace their membership and celebrate their own special bonds through participation, whatever their life situation, age or abilities She recognizes that each member is capable of contributing to DAR and her community and country at large, in her own unique way and has challenged each chapter to identify opportunities to propel membership growth by welcoming all descendants of American Patriots.

GALA PERFORMANCE

PRESENTING PARTNERS

ABOUT EXIT12 DANCE COMPANY

Exit12 started in 2007 as a way for a former professional ballet dancer turned US Marine Iraq War Veteran to reconnect and heal post deployment to Fallujah in 2005, by turning war stories into conversation provoking performances Exit12 has reached over 10,000 military-connected individuals and 70,000 civilians with its programming.

Exit12 has grown into a dynamic 501(c)3 non-profit organization that engages the military community in the arts to aid recovery and improve health and wellbeing. Learn more at www.exit12danceco.org

ABOUT THE DAUGHTERS OF THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION

DAR is a 501(c)3 non-profit, non-political volunteer women ' s service organization. Founded in 1890 and headquartered in Washington, D.C., DAR is dedicated to promoting patriotism, preserving American history, and securing America's future through better education for children

DAR members volunteer millions of service hours annually in their local communities including supporting active duty military personnel and assisting veteran patients, awarding thousands of dollars in scholarships and financial aid each year to students, and supporting schools for underserved children with annual donations exceeding one million dollars.

As one of the most inclusive genealogical societies in the country, DAR boasts 190,000 members in 3,000 chapters across the United States and internationally. Any woman 18 years or older-regardless of race, religion, or ethnic background-who can prove lineal descent from a patriot of the American Revolution, is eligible for membership. Learn more at www.dar.org

ABOUT CREATIVETS

CreatiVets’ is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization It’s mission is to empower wounded veterans to heal through the arts and music. Through compassion, we are helping veterans live again. Learn more at www.creativets.org

ABOUT ARMED SERVICES ARTS PARTNERSHIP

The Armed Services Arts Partnership (ASAP) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit and the largest community arts organization serving the military community in the US.

Our mission every day is to spark creativity and connection. We do this through the restorative power of comedy, storytelling and artistic expression Learn more at www asapasap org

GALA PERFORMANCE

PRESENTING PARTNERS

ABOUT JESÚS DANIEL HERNÁNDEZ AND MICHAEL BARD

Tenor Jesús Daniel Hernández and guitarist Michael Bard are acclaimed performers who frequently share the stage, blending operatic vocals with rich classical and Latin guitar. Hernández, a former U.S. Army soldier turned international opera singer, and Bard, a celebrated musician and cultural ambassador, bring their diverse backgrounds and global experience to powerful, moving performances. Together, they create a unique musical fusion that captivates audiences around the world. To learn more, visit our digital program. Learn more at www.jesusdanielhernandez.com and www.michaelbard.com

THANK

YOU

EXIT12 WOULD LIKE TO EXTEND A WARM THANK YOU TO:

We extend our heartfelt thanks to the incredible individuals and organizations who made this performance possible To Pamela Rouse Wright, Janet McFarland, Annie John, Bren Landon, Emily Whittaker, and everyone at the Daughters of the American Revolution your generosity and support have been invaluable. Special thanks to Angela Neal, Dave de la Fuente, Matthew Mitchelson, Maureen Kaplan, Liz Freeman, Lisa Greene, and Calia Brencsons-Van Dyk for your unwavering commitment and guidance. We are deeply grateful to Paul Guilderson, Jack Forrest, and the entire staff of DAR Constitution Hall for your professionalism and care Thank you Richard Casper, Chris Ferrara, and CreatiVets, everyone at Armed Services Arts Partnership, and Jesús Daniel Hernández and Michael Bard for your powerful contributions, and to Ian McDuffie for your inspiring collaboration. Thank you to Mark Reilly and the Washington Tattoo for helping us get the word out. Thank you to Patrick Tighe for capturing this evening and Jessica and Rob Costa for your hospitality this week This performance would not have been possible without each and every one of you thank you for believing in our vision and helping bring it to life.