CONTACT:
Shannon Haber, [email protected]
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
February 11, 2022
Los Angeles Unified Student Musicians to Perform at the NFL 2022 Super Bowl LVI with the Youth Orchestra of Los Angeles
LOS ANGELES (February 11, 2022) – Los Angeles Unified is thrilled to cheer on our student musicians in the Youth Orchestra of Los Angeles (YOLA) as they perform on the world’s biggest stage at the NFL 2022 Super Bowl LVI on Sunday, February 13 in support of our hometown team, the Los Angeles Rams. During the pre-game festivities, YOLA student musicians will accompany Grammy-winning gospel duo Mary Mary to perform “Lift Every Voice and Sing,” known as the Black national anthem.
The following Los Angeles Unified student musicians will perform at the Super Bowl:
- Ramon C. Cortines School of Visual and Performing Arts
- Andy Bautista, violin
- Daniel Madrigal, violin
- Salma Tellez, violin
- James A. Foshay Learning Center
- Steve Corvera, clarinet
- Benjamin Franklin High School
- Christopher Orozco, viola
- Alexander Hamilton Senior High School
- Noemi Guzman, violin
- John Marshall High School
- Hector Corona, percussion
- Mina Lee, violin
- University High School Charter
- Michelle Sigala, cello
“We are so proud of our accomplished student musicians who will perform with YOLA at the Super Bowl,” Interim Superintendent Megan K. Reilly said. “Los Angeles Unified soundly supports music education, and we offer numerous opportunities through the District’s arts education branch for our students to learn how to play and create music.”
“Congratulations to our talented students playing at the Super Bowl as part of the Youth Orchestra Los Angeles,” Board President Kelly Gonez said. “Our students are a continuing inspiration to our schools and our district.”
“We are incredibly proud of LA Unified’s talented musicians – especially Michelle Sigal from University High, representing Board District 4,” Board Vice President Nick Melvoin said. “This is an exciting opportunity to show millions of viewers nationwide just how impressive the young people of this city truly are.”
“What an honor,” Board Member Dr. George J. McKenna III said. “I am proud of all of our outstanding student musicians, with a special shout-out to the two from my district, Steve Covera, clarinet, from James A. Foshay Learning Center and Noemi Guzman, violin, from Alexander Hamilton Senior High School. I also played the violin.”
"What an amazing time to celebrate our very talented students here at Los Angeles Unified!" Board Member Mónica García said. "I am excited for each and every one of our young performers as they take the big stage at the 2022 Super Bowl LVI here in Los Angeles, and know this is one of many opportunities life will give them. It is well deserved. Bravo!"
“As an advocate for the arts, I am honored to know that millions of people from all over the country will have the opportunity to hear our talented Los Angeles Unified students who are members of the Youth Orchestra Los Angeles,” Board Member Scott M. Schmerelson said. “It is also important to celebrate and highlight how a strong arts program benefits students, schools and communities throughout Los Angeles Unified. Kudos to all.”
“Playing at the Super Bowl provides a wonderful opportunity for our students to shine,” Board Member Jackie Goldberg said. “Music instruction teaches so much more than how to play some notes. Our young musicians also learn math and memory skills, patience, time management and coordination. Their expertise and love for music is a gift that will keep on giving long after they finish high school.”
“Congratulations and best of luck to all of our Youth Orchestra Los Angeles musical scholars for your upcoming performance at the Super Bowl,” Board Member Tanya Ortiz Franklin said. “What an amazing opportunity to showcase your talents, skills and passion with millions of viewers on such a global stage.”
“I am extremely proud of Andy, Daniel and Salma for their extreme dedication and passion for their musical talent,” Ramon C. Cortines School of Visual and Performing Arts Principal Lori Gambero said. “I also thank our amazing music teachers for their support, guidance and teaching.”
“We are so excited and happy for Steve as this is a huge opportunity for him,” James A. Foshay Learning Center Principal Tracy Murray said. “We are proud to have Steve represent our community in Super Bowl LVI. This is a perfect example from the Foshay Learning Center Community that there is excellence in schools in our Los Angeles community.”
“It is admirable to learn about the many ways our students are thriving in the midst of a pandemic,” Benjamin High School Principal Regina Marquez-Martinez said. “Very proud of Chris! Can’t wait to hear the gift Chris will share with the world. Music is healing, inspirational and full of hope. Panther Pride!”
“At the Academy of Music and Performing Arts (AMPA) at Hamilton High School, we are all so proud of very talented senior Noemi Guzman,” Alexander Hamilton Senior High School Principal Jennifer Baxter said. “Noemi has the honor of playing the violin at this year’s pregame Super Bowl show along with Mary Mary. Noemi is an incredibly talented musician, and she is a great representative for AMPA and Hamilton High! We are proud of you Noemi!”
“I am impressed with my students’ abilities and excited by their representing Marshall High School at the Super Bowl,” John Marshall High School Principal Dr. Gary Garcia said.
“Michelle has an extraordinary talent playing the cello,” University High School Charter Principal Claudia Middleton said. “We at University High have always known that Michelle’s talents and her hard-working ethic were going to take her far in life. And now, she is playing her cello at this year’s Super Bowl with Mary Mary. Wow, she is simply amazing.”
YOLA musicians master their instruments at several sites, including the only Los Angeles Unified-sponsored site at Torres East LA Performing Arts Magnet.
“YOLA at Torres is a free after-school program sponsored by the world-renowned Los Angeles Philharmonic Orchestra,” Torres East LA Performing Arts Magnet Principal Carolyn McKnight said. “It is open to young musicians from grades 3 to 12 from any Eastside school, and hosted by Torres East LA Performing Arts Magnet. I am so proud of the students from Cortines VAPA and Franklin High School who will represent YOLA at Torres at the Super Bowl this Sunday, along with their peers from Hamilton, Foshay, Marshall and University High Schools.”
This is the second time YOLA musicians will be featured at a Super Bowl in the orchestra’s 15-year history – their first performance was during Coldplay’s 2016 halftime show, conducted by Gustavo Dudamel of the Los Angeles Philharmonic (LA Phil). Launched in 2007 by the LA Phil and its community partners, YOLA currently serves more than 1,500 young musicians, providing them with free instruments, intensive music instruction, academic support and leadership training.