Staff Celebrations
Eckstein sign language interpreter performs at special Carnegie Hall concert
Linda Burgess, a sign language interpreter at Eckstein Middle School, provided sign language services during a choir concert Feb. 19 at Carnegie Hall in New York City.
The concert paid tribute to the late Dr. Jester Hairston, a well-known African-American composer, actor, songwriter and choral conductor. The concert also celebrated Black History Month and Presidents Day.
Juan Huey-Ray, director of The Sound of The Northwest Choir, invited Burgess to provide the sign-language interpretation. The choir consisted of several choirs from five or six states - who all sang their own gospel/Negro spiritual selections. The concert culminated with the choirs joining together to sing several of Hairston's compositions.
This was Burgess' first trip to Carnegie Hall, and she was accompanied by her two daughters, Heather and Doris, who were in the audience.
Heather is a Seattle Public Schools employee. Doris, the oldest daughter, was born deaf and was a student in the Deaf/Hard of Hearing Program at View Ridge Elementary and Eckstein Middle School many years before Burgess became a Seattle Public Schools employee.