Young choir members excited for China

FORT WAYNE, Ind. (WANE) - For six months, Fort Wayne's Voices of Unity youth choir has prepared for a trip and opportunity of a lifetime; competing in the World Choir Games in China.

Included in the 80 singers, musicians and chaperones are the two youngest choir members to embark on the journey. Jessica Bermudez and Mattei Richardson are both eight years old.

"They are an example of what [Unity Performing Arts Foundation] is about," Marshall White, Voices of Unity choir director said. "UPAF's focus is to help young people realize their potential at an early age."

The trip to China is not exactly a vacation. White called the weeks ahead of the trip a boot camp of preparation. Bermudez and Richardson both agreed that the work was taxing.

"It's hard but I keep trying to do my best," Richardson said.

When asked what the young travelers look forward to most about China, the food and meeting new people topped the list.

The choir is schedule to leave for China on Sunday and Monday, July 18 & 19. Days ahead of the trip, the group was $50,000 short of its fundraising goal.