Mission Preservation Foundation’s 2018 benefit gala will feature NBC’s America’s Got Talent star and youngest-ever solo platinum artist Jackie Evancho. Held on the grounds of historic Mission San Juan Capistrano on Sept. 14, the gala will support mission preservation efforts while honoring longtime supporters Madeline and James Irvine Swinden.
A benefit gala highlight is a performance in The Great Stone Church by American classical crossover artist Jackie Evancho. The singer gained global recognition since she first appeared on NBC’s America’s Got Talent at just 10 years of age. Now 18, she has released a string of platinum and gold albums with U.S. sales of over 2.5 million.
“I’m so happy to be performing at the Mission San Juan Capistrano – it is so beautiful and I get great inspiration from singing in such a special place,” said Evancho.
Madeline and James Irvine Swinden have long supported the historic Mission San Juan Capistrano as devoted advocates of the arts, education and health sciences. Madeline co-founded the Friends of the Mission in 1996, is the founding chair of the benefit gala and has served on the Mission Preservation Foundation board for many years.
“The Mission Preservation Foundation unanimously supported the recommendation of Board President George O’Connell to honor the Swindens for their long-standing involvement, leadership, and generosity. Together, they have truly worked for Mission San Juan Capistrano’s successful preservation and furthered its appreciation as a place of inspiration to the arts. For over 20 years, the couple remains committed to ensure that inspiration and education is celebrated for generations to come,” says Mission San Juan Capistrano’s Executive Director Mechelle Lawrence Adams.