WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. — A Winston-Salem performer is among the passengers aboard the Diamond Princess cruise ship, quarantined in Japan since February 3rd due to the threat of the new coronavirus.
According to Alvin Armstead, the Senior Pastor of the United Methodist Missionary Baptist Church in Winston-Salem, one of its members, Candace Culcleasure, was traveling on the cruise ship where she is employed as an entertainer.
Armstead said the family is asking for the congregation and the community to lift Candace up in prayer to see her through the ordeal.
According to her website, Candace Culcleasure is an actress and vocalist from Winston-Salem, NC, currently residing in New York, NY.
'Candace is a graduate of Florida State University's School of Music. She was a featured Guest Entertainer on Princess Cruise Ships and has performed in several regional theaters across the country incorporating many different music styles and genres. Although classically trained, Candace has a special love for jazz music. She has performed with numerous bands including the Thursday Night Music Club in Florida, The Amaretto Band in Washington DC. and opened at the Jacksonville Jazz Festival and the National Black Theatre Festival,' the website reads.
Pastor Armstead said Culcleasure has access to wifi and is able to communicate with family and friends to keep her engaged as the quarantine of the cruise ship continues. Armstead said Culcleasure is well and is not one of the passengers who have shown symptoms of the virus.