The program has been more successful than ever! I currently have two student mentors teaching most of the kids along with myself. We are able to provide the program to those struggling financially thanks due in large part to your generosity. It’s a very diverse group which I love about music and how it brings all walks together. The successes are phenomenal.

“Thank you! Thank you! Thank you! We are really trying to add more arts teachers to our district and build our programs at the lower levels. As the recipient of your award this year [Santa Barbara Bowl Performing Arts Teacher of the Year], I feel a fire more than ever to advocate for more and use my platform this year to build more.”

For some of these kids this will have been the only time in their lives they would experience classical music in this way. For others, it might be the first of many now that they know it’s there, it’s exciting, and it’s accessible. In either case the gift you’ve given us of sending our students, our chaperones, and me to this concert holds life changing value. Thank you.