LOS ANGELES, CA – On March 12-13, 2025, Education Through Music-Los Angeles (ETM-LA) hosted its two-day 15th Annual Music Unites the World Festival, which promotes unity among Los Angeles school communities through music from around the world. Held at the Saban Theater in Beverly Hills, students received coaching and encouragement from renowned artists and educators. The pinnacle of each festival day, the culminating concert, brought together over 1,200 friends, family, and ETM-LA partner school students.
The first day of the festival showcased instrumental ensembles from across ETM-LA’s partner schools with guidance from Claudio Alcantar (Music Director & Music Teacher), Anthony White (Award-Winning Band Director), Angel Velez (Conductor & Orchestrator), Brooke DeRosa (Award-Winning Composer & Conductor), and Rachael Denny (Dept. Chair, Pasadena Conservatory of Music) as they coached the student clinics.
During the Parent Panel on the topic Music, Mind, & Child Development, John Dennis (Executive Creative Director, Music, Disney Imagineering) reflected, “Music can bring so much to kids and their self-esteem… music became a lens for me to understand myself better.” In response to a parent asking how to motivate their child to practice more, Dennis shared: “Encourage them with what they like to play. They find their own passions with your encouragement and support.” Thank you to all guest panelists including Raashi Kulkarni (Composer & Pianist), Leah Paul (Music Teacher & Lecturer), and Velez for their dedication to empowering communities to champion music education.
Festival Day 2 welcomed student choir, rock/modern band, and Orff ensembles. To prepare for their time to shine onstage, they received training and inspiration from Baraka May (Vocalist & Choral Conductor), Jenny Tisi (Choral Director), Misha Shtangrud (Choral Director), Richard Lawton (Music Professor), and Tony Sauza (ETM-LA Instructional Supervisor).
Each day, the ensembles diligently prepared culturally diverse repertoire for their respective culminating Music Unites the World concerts. During his keynote message to the kids, Velez shared, “Music has taught me one of the biggest things and it’s how to explore, and with music I get to explore all the time… When you go home, I hope you think of a positive moment you had today and you share that with your other classmates.”
ETM-LA also publicly awarded two student essay contest winners. Amy Alonso, winner of the From The Heart Award, wrote: “If you think playing an instrument is too hard just remember that if you really set your mind to it, you can do it… Music isn’t meant to be hard – it’s meant to express yourself and realize the potential every human being can unlock.” Winner of the Young Writer Award, Chris Angel Garcia, shared in his essay: “If I don’t work hard, then I won’t be able to achieve my goals. Being in a music ensemble has given me more reasons why I should work harder in life.”
The magic of the students’ performances left the audience in high spirits, and the grand finale took it one step higher with the return of the beloved group Masanga Marimba, as they led the festival goers in a joyful dance party celebrating music from Africa and Latin America.
Congratulations to our partner school students and all involved – our staff, teachers, volunteers, and board. Thank you to our festival sponsors: Booker & Sarita White, BTW Productions, Maxell, The Music Man Foundation, Perenchio Foundation, Snap Foundation, City of Los Angeles Department of Cultural Affairs, California Arts Council, and the Los Angeles County Department of Arts and Culture.
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Contact: Xina Yee
Phone: (818) 433-7600
Email: press@etmla.org
Website: www.etmla.org
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Education Through Music-Los Angeles is an independent 501(c)3 non-profit organization whose mission is to provide and promote music in under-resourced schools as part of the core curriculum for every child in order to enhance students’ academic achievement, creativity, and overall development.
For more information: www.etmla.org