Over 18,000 Students Participate in Children’s Festival

Blue Ribbon Children’s Festival

More than 18,000 fifth grade-students are dancing together on April 9-11, 2014 on The Music Center Plaza as part of the 44th Annual Blue Ribbon Children’s Festival.

After weeks of in-class preparation, the students attend a live performance for free and then perform a special piece choreographed just for them.

The Blue Ribbon Children’s Festival, California’s free arts education program, is presented by The Blue Ribbon of the Music Center, an independent charitable group of women leaders in the Los Angeles community.

Founded by Dorothy Chandler in 1968, The Blue Ribbon is committed to giving students access to the best of the performing arts from a young age.

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For many students who have never visited The Music Center or seen a live theatrical performance, get the chance to experience the arts first-hand. More than 800,000 students have benefited from this experience to date.

This year, participating students from 234 schools throughout Los Angeles County will attend a special performance of three dances by the Paul Taylor Dance Company at The Music Center’s Dorothy Chandler Pavilion.

Over the years, students attending the Festival have seen performances by the LA Phil, the LA Opera, American Ballet Theatre, The Joffrey Ballet, and Diavolo Dance Theater, among others.