LOS ANGELES, CA – On March 10-11, 2026, approximately 600 music students from across Los Angeles County took the stage at ETM-LA’s flagship 16th Annual Music Unites the World Festival. Produced by Education Through Music-Los Angeles and held at Glendale Presbyterian Church, this two-day festival brought together ensembles from 18 ETM-LA Partner Schools to receive coaching and guidance from seasoned musicians and educators. Each day concluded with a culminating concert featuring student ensembles (joined by faculty, staff, and guest artists) across such disciplines as Concert Band, Orchestra, Modern Band, Choir and Orff, as well as the World Premiere of two original compositions.
The participating schools were split between each day based on location within the greater Los Angeles area. Ensembles received instruction from Linda Mouradian (Music Educator & Professor, CSUN), Anthony White (Award-Winning Band Director), Angel Velez (Conductor & Orchestrator), Jenny Tisi (Choir Director), Rachael Denny (Dept. Chair, Pasadena Conservatory of Music), Baraka May (Vocalist & Voiceover Artist), and Siddhartha Khosla (Award-Winning Composer), who talked with the students about the importance of being authentic in creating music and invited the audience in singing beautiful call and responses.
Two original pieces were awarded in the ETM-LA Songwriting & Composition Contest: “We Sing In Common” (written by Esin Aydıngöz; lyrics by Melissa Axel) and “Music Brings Us Unity” (composed by Isaac Johnson, ETM-LA Music Teacher). Both received world premieres by ETM-LA Student Ensembles. Axel conveyed that the inspiration behind their song was “[to bring] all of us together through music despite whatever differences we may have; despite barriers to communication or our different backgrounds, the one thing we have in common is music.”
During Parent Panels on the topic Music, Mind, & Child Development, Executive Director Victoria Lanier engaged educators/artists Baraka May, Linda Mouradian, and Booker White on the impact of music on the brain’s neuroplasticity, social-psychological development, emotional regulation, and sense of self and belonging.
ETM-LA also awarded several student essay contest winners. Adamaris Carrillo Gutierrez, winner of the Young Writer Award, wrote: “When I learned music… [it] helped unite me and the people around me. I met new people and formed great connections with my bandmates. Music brings people together.” Winner of the From The Heart Award, Enna Sebastian, shared in their essay: “Playing in an orchestra has changed my life. I hope more kids get to [have] this wonderful experience.”
The magic of the student performances left the audience in high spirits, and the grand finale absolutely thrilled students with the opportunity to watch their own teachers perform in an all ETM-LA Staff & Faculty Ensemble.
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, Café 86, The Music Man Foundation, Perenchio Foundation, Michael Giacchino, The Jennings Family, City of Los Angeles Department of Cultural Affairs, National Endowment for the Arts, and the Los Angeles County Department of Arts and Culture.
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Contact: Katie Moskovciak
Phone: 818-736-9248
Email: press@etmla.org
Website: www.etmla.org
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