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NATCHEZ – A Natchez Early College musician with the opportunity to play at famed Carnegie Hall is asking the community for help making the trip.

Devin Bailey Jr., a violinist, has been accepted to participate in the Honors Performance Series in New York city, w here he will perform alongside some of the nation’s most talented young musicians. He was nominated for the honor by his teacher and chosen after a competitive selection process.

“I understand that there’s been a lot of difficult news in my hometown of Natchez, MS, and I want to bring hope and positivity back to the community,” he wrote in a statement on his GoFundMe site. “This opportunity means so much to me, but I can’t do it alone.”

Bailey, who comes from a single-parent home, is seeking to raise $11,000 to fund the trip.

“I come from a single-parent home where my mom work shard to support me and my little sister, making sure we have everything we need,” he wrote. “With your help, I can cover the costs for this incredible trip and represent our city with pride.”

Bailey’s efforts gained the support of Natchez Mayor Dan Gibson as he shared information about Bailey on the city’s social media pages, praising the young performing and urging residents to consider contributing to the GoFundMe campaign.

“I’m just a humble teenager with big dreams, trying to bring hope to those around me,” Bailey wrote. “Thank you for your generosity and support – it truly means the world to me.”

Click here to support Bailey’s efforts.