My Story

Anthony D. Anderson grew up as the youngest of seven children in inner-city Washington, D.C. His early life reflected the ordinary experiences of many young Black boys in his community. Although finances were often tight for his large family, their home was grounded in love and support.

Anderson attended DC Prep Charter School after winning a lottery placement, where the curriculum emphasized STEM education. Through an enrichment opportunity, he was introduced to the nonprofit organization City Kids Wilderness Project. With City Kids, Anthony was encouraged to grow as an independent thinker, take healthy risks, and develop leadership skills while spending his summers in the wilderness of Jackson Hole, Wyoming. Unlike the convenient inner-city life he was accustomed to, life “out in the wilderness,” as they called it, required teamwork, communication, and problem-solving to accomplish the challenges that arose. These challenges were shaped by activities such as backpacking, white-water rafting, and week-long kayaking trips down the Snake River. He participated in the program throughout his charter school years and into high school.

After graduating from DC Prep, Anderson took his first leap of faith by auditioning for the Duke Ellington School of the Arts. It was there that he discovered his passion for singing and began developing his artistic voice. Even in his earliest lessons, his teachers recognized that his voice held the potential for a major career. During his time at Ellington, Anderson made another life-altering decision when he asked one of the piano faculty members, Michael Crabill, to mentor him privately. Crabill enthusiastically agreed. Anderson ultimately graduated as the school’s Most Improved Vocalist, an honor that earned him the opportunity to perform at his commencement ceremony.

After graduating, he attended Virginia Commonwealth University to pursue a Bachelor’s Degree in Voice Performance. Anderson hadn’t applied to many top-tier schools, believing that his late introduction to the musical world meant he needed more time and training to catch up to peers who had been singing since childhood. After just one semester, however, he was forced to pause his education due to financial constraints. Undeterred, he leaned on the guidance of his teachers and mentors from Duke Ellington and City Kids. He deeply desired to continue his studies in a supportive environment, but was unable to do so until he could resolve his outstanding balance of $9,000 in order to access his transcripts and move forward with his education.

Together with his coach and mentor, Michael Crabill, Anderson continued his training privately while simultaneously continuing his learning at Community College set up by the City Kids mentors. To eliminate his outstanding tuition balance, Anderson and Crabill planned a benefit concert at Anderson’s church home, St. Luke’s Episcopal Church, with the intention of performing at additional venues until the debt was fully paid. After months of preparation, planning, and promotion, they were ready to present their work to the community.

Their hour-long recital featured Art Songs, Spirituals, and Arias. In the audience was Washington Post columnist Petula Dvorak, who was moved to write a story about the event. Once published, the article sparked nationwide interest in Anderson’s pursuit of higher education. Within a single weekend, he raised over $40,000 through donations and contributions to his GoFundMe campaign, enough to eliminate the debt, which had grown to $12,000 after being sent to collections. This was a profoundly meaningful moment in Anderson’s life, as it highlighted not only the power of dedication and committed effort, but also the extraordinary impact a community can have on one person’s future. This was Anderson’s village.

This national attention also reached several prestigious musical institutions and conservatories. Anderson was subsequently invited to audition at the Peabody Conservatory, Oberlin Conservatory, and The Juilliard School, receiving full-ride scholarship offers from each.