An Interview With Classics 4 Kids
All of us at Sabrosas Latin Orchestra are thrilled to share details from our first partnership with Classics 4 Kids! This organization has been dedicated to music education since 1994, reaching thousands of students each year, especially those in low-income and disadvantaged communities.
We will be joining the Classics Philharmonic Orchestra for the "Danza Cubana" event from March 5 to March 8. This concert series will share the vibrant history, traditions, and music of Cuba with thousands of kids across San Diego county.
Ahead of the event, we interviewed Dana Zimbric, Artistic Director & Conductor for Classics 4 Kids. Check out the conversation below.
We are thrilled to partner with you. From your perspective, how did this collaboration come about, and what do you hope it will bring to your audience and program?
I have worked with Elizabeth Howard on a few projects over the years, and when I found out she performed with a salsa band, I figured it was a perfect fit for a Cuban-themed concert I was dreaming up last year. When I asked if Sabrosas could join the Classics Philharmonic Orchestra, she responded enthusiastically!
As a woman conductor, I am thrilled to help elevate the talented women musicians in Sabrosas and give them an opportunity to perform for our student audience. With 2,400 students planning to attend, I know all the young girls in the theatre will be inspired to see so many women on stage celebrating their talents as performing artists.
Could you highlight a few key, recent programs or initiatives that Classics 4 Kids is particularly proud of?
This season, we expanded our programming to a new venue – the Joan B. Kroc Theatre, thanks to funding from the San Diego Foundation – Jay Kahn Endowment Fund. We selected this location due to its location close to many of our region’s high-poverty neighborhoods that are serving low-income schools. I’m proud to say that during our season’s opening concert in November, we were able to increase the number of low-income students served by 16% as a result of this change. We provided free bus transportation and subsidized ticketing for all of these low-income students as well.
Could you tell us about the "Danza Cubana" event and what attendees can expect from this unique experience?
I’m so excited for this concert. Infusing the Classics Philharmonic Orchestra with the energy of Sabrosas and the exuberant Afro-Cuban rhythm and dance from Center for World Music’s Juan Carlos Blanco is going to be an unforgettable experience for our audience.
With narration in Spanish and English, we will explore pieces by classical composers Cervantes (Cuban), Marquez (Mexican) and Granada (Spanish) who all borrowed musical ideas from Afro-Cuban rhythms. And of course, it wouldn’t be a true celebration of Cuban music without including a few gems from Grammy-winning Cuban performers Celia Cruz and Gloria Estefan.
What's next for Classics 4 Kids? What additional events or projects are you most excited about throughout 2024?
Our 23/24 Season Finale takes place in May and will focus on how composers have been inspired by the cosmos. “3-2-1 Blast Off” will integrate science topics with music to give our audience an educational STEAM opportunity to maximize learning. I’m excited that Dr. Lisa Will, Resident Astronomer at the Fleet Science Center, will join me during this shows to help explain some of the scientific concepts and share her incredible images from the James Webb Space Telescope. Plus, there may be an opportunity for the kids in our audience to “use the force” as we explore how these themes relate to music in pop culture.
You can learn more about this event at our website.
How can the Sabrosas community best support the mission and programs of Classics 4 Kids?
We always welcome volunteers at our concerts to help us get the students in and out of the theater. We would also love to invite any members of the Sabrosas community to attend our Gala on 10/6/24 to learn more about what we do. Lastly, you can join our email list on our website at classics4kids.org.
Stay tuned for more updates on this partnership and how we're working together to inspire the next generation through music.
To learn more about how you can support our non-profit work in our communities, visit our Sponsorships page. Your support means the world to us and the communities we serve. Let's make a difference, one note at a time.