HARPERS FERRY — For Donnie Hawkins, the journey from a quiet toddler with an uncertain future to a nationally performing vocalist is nothing short of remarkable. Now, the Harpers Ferry native is preparing to take yet another step as he will sing the National Anthem at a Denver Nuggets NBA game.
Hawkins, a junior vocal performance major at the Shenandoah Conservatory of Music, has spent years honing his craft through rigorous coursework that includes voice lessons, diction training and performance seminars. The discipline has paid off in a major way, allowing Hawkins to perform in a variety of venues. The latest will be April 4 when the Denver Nuggets host the San Antonio Spurs where he will open the game with the National Anthem.
“So excited. It’s been a long journey,” Hawkins said.
That journey began with significant challenges. At just 2 years old, Hawkins was diagnosed on the autism spectrum, and doctors warned he might never speak. His mother refused to accept that prognosis, seeking further evaluation and support, including care through the Kennedy Krieger Institute.
By age 3 or 4, Hawkins spoke his first full sentence, “Are we there yet?” on the way to a concert in Pennsylvania. Not long after, he discovered his voice in a different way.
At age 5, he sang “One Small Voice” at Charles Town Baptist Church, a moment he still remembers clearly.
“I said then, this is where I belong,” he said. “Two things were there for me: Jesus, my Lord and Savior, and music.”
By age 7, Hawkins was reevaluated and considered no longer diagnosable on the autism spectrum, an outcome he describes as difficult to fully explain, but life-changing.
Music remained constant. Through middle and high school, Hawkins performed whenever he could, building confidence and skill. His first National Anthem performance came at just 5 years old during a basketball game at Harpers Ferry Middle School.
“My grandmother went to Coach Roy Banjoman and asked if I could sing, and he said yes,” Hawkins reminisced.
As a teenager, he appeared at regional events including the Mountain State Apple Festival, the Alleghany Fair in Maryland and the 2018 Miss Ohio Outstanding Teen Pageant, to name a few. After a brief break from performing, Hawkins returned to the stage in high school, singing at a 9/11 ceremony at Charles Town Races which he saw as a turning point that reignited his passion.
Opportunities quickly followed. He performed for the Purcellville Cannons baseball team (Virginia), where he said he connected deeply with audience.
“I was making a difference in others’ lives and I was so proud,” Hawkins said.
Determined to continue, Hawkins began submitting audition videos to athletic teams across the country. His persistence paid off and he has now performed the National Anthem at more than 40 venues in nine states.
In 2024, he reached a milestone, singing at Yankee Stadium during a game between the New York Yankees and the Boston Red Sox.
“I sent [applications] to every major and minor league team,” he said. “I received 70 emails to sing but had to narrow that to 20.”
More recently, Hawkins expanded his reach to the NBA, leading to his upcoming performance in Denver, his 10th state to visit.
Beyond athletics, Hawkins’ studies have already taken him overseas. Through Shenandoah, he has performed in Portugal and Spain, including a production of Acis and Galatea, and traveled to Poland for master classes and a concert sung in Polish.
“It changed my life. It was such a great opportunity and I felt at home there,” he said of his visit to Poland.
Looking ahead, Hawkins hopes to continue his education, possibly pursuing a master’s degree in Europe and possibly at some point becoming a collegiate choir director. But for now, his focus is on the immediate future.
He departs for Denver on April 2, accompanied by his biggest supporter, his mother.
For Hawkins, the upcoming performance is more than just another venue. It’s a milestone in a journey defined by perseverance, faith and a lifelong love of music.