Dorsey Choir Prepares for Carnegie Hall

HELPING: Tenth-grader Leiane Malaki gets a new look as Pam Armstrong, owner, and other hairdressers at Whipped Hair Design donate their time to style the hair of girls in the choir.  (Annie Wells / LAT)

Dorsey High Senior, Devion Jelkes, 17, sings Sam Cook’s “A Change is Gonna Come” during choir practice.  (Annie Wells / LAT)

TEACHER: “This is just like the top of the mountain,” said director Marilyn Payne.  (Annie Wells / LAT)

PRACTICE: Tenth-grader Jasmine Bush, 15, sings in her choir at school and tonight will sing at Carnegie Hall.  (Annie Wells / LAT)

ACHIEVEMENT: Dorsey High School’s choir members prepare for Carnegie Hall, where tonight they will sing two versions of “Te Deum.” “It seems unreal. I really didn’t think we’d be going. Really,” said Devion Jelkes, 17, a tenor.  (Annie Wells / LAT)