On Saturday, September 21st, the Los Angeles Music and Art School held its annual Stars for the Arts benefit at Tamayo Restaurant and Art Gallery. Family, supporters and friends of the arts attended the event in celebration of another successful year for the organization and appreciation of original music by former students.
The night opened with a cocktail reception that coincided with a silent auction featuring items donated by Lakers, doTERRA, The Paramount, Raising Canes and many more. Items such as tickets to various venues nearby, gift cards to stores, restaurants and experiences, and limited edition Barbies were auctioned off in support of LAMusArt programs.
As the silent auction came to a close, attendees took their seats for dinner and the ceremony began. Executive Director, Tahnee Freda, and Emcee, Greg Santos, gave a cheerful welcoming speech, and attendees then ate dinner in the beautiful, high-ceilinged restaurant adorned with priceless art. Tamayo’s blend of food, art and Latino culture made it the perfect venue for a night dedicated to the expansion of arts education in East LA.
Following dinner, guests cheered and engaged in a live auction guided by Greg and Tahnee. Live auction items included Opening Day Tickets to the Dodgers, a private wine class and a 3 night stay at a Mexican Villa! As the thrilling competition came to a close, guests were shown an heartwarming presentation on the work that LAMusArt has accomplished in the last 80 years.
The ending of the presentation prompted the beginning of the performances of many wonderful songs written by students of LAMusArt’s Playmaking program over the years. The first set of performers included Tara Sanchez, a voice, piano and drama teaching artist, and Melina Adragna, LAMusArt Choir Director and voice teaching artist along with Orchestra and String Ensemble Director and piano and violin teaching artist, Isaac Johnson accompanying them on keyboard. This trio performed “For the First Time” with lyrics by Helena Miguet, age 9 and music by Austin Chanu, “The Lifes” with lyrics by Amariah Gonzalez, age 9, and music by Austin Chanu and “We Need a Hotel” with lyrics by Olivia Quintero, age 10, and Tara Sanchez and music by Isaac Johnson.
As Tara and Melina closed the first set of performances, LAMusArt presented the Creative Paths Award in Arts Leadership to Francisco “Cannibal” Garcia and the Garcia Family for the family’s support of LAMusArt’s mission and for Francisco’s influence on the Chicano rock scene in East Los Angeles in the 1960s. Francisco was the frontman of Cannibal and the Headhunters, who reached the Billboard charts in 1965 with their hit song, “Land of 1000 Dances.” There to accept the award was his family. Including his sister Sandra, who has been instrumental in contributing meaningful funds to arts education programs in order to continue the impact of artistic exploration and creative expression on the Eastside.
A second set of performances began following the honoree presentation with Sanchez and Adragna featuring “One for the Road” with lyrics by George Jaramillo, age 12 and Melanie Johnson and music by Isaac Johnson; “I Can Do That Too!” and “I Can Dig!” with lyrics by Audrey Castaneda, age 9 and Evan Enderle with music by Isaac Johnson.
The night continued with a special commendation celebrating Angie Sanon’s 20th year with the organization. Sanon started at LAMusArt in 2004 and has served as Office Manager for over a decade. Angie has been a key champion in helping students navigate their artistic journeys, managing staff and faculty experience, and guiding creative programs from infancy to success.
To close out the evening, Johnson, Sanchez and Adragna were joined by Jonathan Perez, a voice and guitar teaching artist. Together they did renditions of “My Powers are Cooler Than Yours” with lyrics by Raymah Carlos and Vella Lovell and music by Isaac Johnson, and “Lost Forever” with lyrics by Diana Zayas and music by Austin Chanu, and “Graduation” with lyrics by Zoey Lozano, age 11 and music by Richard An.
The Los Angeles Music and Art School would like to thank all who attended and supported us including our amazing auction donors - A Noise Within, American Eagle, Chipotle, Chulita, doTERRA, Halper Fine Art, In-N-Out, Santa Barbara Zoo, Susie Cakes, Kendra Scott, Pasadena Pops Symphony, Pressed Juicery, Pacific Park, Boston Court Pasadena, Malibu Wine Tours, Villa Amor, Chulita, Total Wine, Glo Yoga, Raising Cane’s, Happy The Golden Jam, Lakers and The Paramount.
We would also like to extend gratitude to our sponsors Jo Mitchell Foundation, US Bank, Jane and Lou Castruccio, The Minguet Family, Ervin Cohen & Jessup, TELACU, Lucas Horsfall and Mattel for supporting another year of expanding arts education in East Los Angeles!
View all pictures taken from this event here!
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