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Youth Programs

The Lobero Theatre hosts a number of opportunities for arts education throughout the year.

Youth Programs

With an emphasis on giving children a professional performance experience, most of our programs are executed in collaboration with another youth or arts-focused non-profit. Each organization brings their strengths to the partnership, making for more effective and efficient service delivery.

Participation in these programs gives children the necessary tools for future success in all aspects of life: creativity and problem solving, confidence, greater focus and dedication, and the ability to collaborate with and learn from their peers. It also inspires children to continue pursuing the arts throughout their education, and in some cases throughout their careers.

The Lobero Brubeck Circle of donors not only keeps great jazz, blues and American Roots Artists on our stage, they also ensure that local students receive music education.

Keep the Music Playin’

The Brubeck Circle of donors has made it possible for the Lobero to bring amazing jazz, blues and roots artists like Herbie Hancock, Wayne Shorter, Dr. John, Chris Thile, Robert Cray, and Keb’ Mo’ to the stage. But the Brubeck Circle does more than just bring great performers to Santa Barbara. Funds are used to ensure that local students receive music education and carry the legacy of uniquely American music into the next generation.

Contributions made by the Brubeck Circle ensures that we can continue to bring music programs to local youth, like:

  • Santa Barbara Vocal Jazz Foundation residencies at local elementary schools, teaching jazz history, appreciation and performance to hundreds of children each year.
  • Jazz and rock performances by local students on the Lobero stage, giving participants a professional performance experience with a skilled stage crew and state-of-the-art equipment.
  • Residencies and master classes with touring artists like Derek Douget, Tierney Sutton, Terence Blanchard, and the Brubeck Fellows from University of the Pacific.
  • Free or discounted tickets to students and families for jazz and family-friendly performances at the Lobero.
Program

Ticket InReach

Students and their families have the opportunity to experience live performance at the Lobero Theatre free of charge. Performances include:

Program

Performing Arts Residencies

These are programs that teach the performing arts to local students and allow them to demonstrate their newly acquired skills:

  • Santa Barbara Vocal Jazz (SBVJF) – During the school year the Lobero and SBVJF team up to provide hands-on jazz education and instruction to local schools. These students perform live on the Lobero stage, experiencing a professional, hands-on experience with state-of-the art light and sound. Please visit santabarbaravoaljazz.com for more information. 
  • The Brubeck Circle Jazz Residency – The Lobero Brubeck Circle brings New Orleans jazz educator Derek Douget and his exceptional band of musicians to Santa Barbara to work in classrooms with middle school, high school, and college students studying jazz music. Students receive hands-on instruction in their classrooms, and the opportunity to learn from working musicians about the realities of a life in the arts. This one-week residency serves more than 300 students in 10 schools and after-school programs county-wide, and culminates in an on-stage performance by the Douget Band, featuring some of the student residency participants.
Program

Youth Performance subsidies

The Lobero is the home stage for a number of arts-specific educational programs, and we underwrite a portion of theatre expenses to ensure the success of these performances and encourage their continued growth at the Lobero. Youth groups making a home on the Lobero stage include Santa Barbara Youth Symphony, Santa Barbara Youth Ensemble Theatre, State Street Ballet Academy, Montecito Union/Cold Springs School District, Spirit of Fiesta auditions, and AHA’s Sing Out! program

Make a gift to the Lobero Fund to support our Youth & Community Outreach programs.

The Lobero’s Youth Programs are made possible through the generosity of the following donors: Bentson Foundation, Brown Family Foundation, George H. & Olive J. Griffiths Foundation, McAlister Foundation, John C. Mithun Foundation and Montecito Bank & Trust.

SBVJF’s residencies are funded in part by the Community Arts Grant program, using funds provided by the City of Santa Barbara in partnership with the Santa Barbara County Arts Commission. SBVJF receives generous support from the Towbes Fund for the Performing Arts (a field of interest fund of the Santa Barbara Foundation) and the Children’s Creative Project.