LOS ANGELES--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Twenty-five years of Hamilton High School’s Academy of Music alumni will reunite this Saturday, October 26, for an evening of jazz, opera, classical and Broadway show music to benefit the school, with more than 200 former students performing. Participant Media CEO Jim Berk, the founding director of the fine arts magnet and chairman of the event, has reassembled the original music teachers to lead six different performance ensembles comprised of alumni from the school.
Berk said, “We’re looking forward to a great evening of music. Back in 1987 I brought together a great team of educators who all shared the same creative vision for making The Academy one of the preeminent music schools in the nation, and I’m happy to say that it was a great success. So it will be thrilling to see everyone again, while raising funds to maintain The Academy’s outstanding record.”
Joining Berk on the benefit committee are longtime assistant principal Jeff Kaufman and former vocal teacher Rich Schraier. David Sears, Director of Grammy in the Schools, and Sid Lasaine, now retired, will be in attendance, along with many alumni who have gone on to successful careers in the arts or business.
Among the graduates of The Academy are Emile Hirsch, Lizzy Caplan, Jeremiah James, Abe Laboriel, Jr. (drummer for Paul McCartney), Mike Elizondo, composer, producer for Dr. Dre and Fiona Apple (also an alumna) and Reeve Carney, who recently played Spider-Man on Broadway.
For additional information on the academy and to purchase tickets, please visit: http://www.hamiltonmusic.org/.
