Winners Hail from Bonita, Burbank, El Monte, Hacienda La Puente, Las Virgenes and Los Angeles Unified School Districts

LOS ANGELES - The Music Center of Los Angeles County, a national leader in arts education, announced the winners of the 28th Annual Bravo Awards on March 3, 2010 at an awards ceremony in Downtown Los Angeles. The program honors teachers and schools for exemplary education in the arts and showcases the hard work and dedication these educators have given to their students, their profession and their communities.

Tulsa Street Elementary (Los Angeles USD) and Crossroads School for Arts and Sciences (Private) received the School award. The School Program award was given to The Academy of Music at Hamilton High School (Los Angeles USD) and Renaissance Arts Academy (Los Angeles USD Charter School). Receiving the Generalist Teacher award were Kimberly Garcia from San Jose Highly Gifted (Los Angeles USD) and Carole Firestone from Lindero Canyon Middle School (Las Virgenes USD). The Arts Specialist Teacher award was given to Lisa Ruiz from Fairgrove Academy for the Visual and Performing Arts (Hacienda La Puente USD), Jennifer Nelson from South El Monte High School (El Monte UHSD), Deborah Waas from Grace Miller Elementary (Bonita USD) and John Whitener from David Starr Jordan Middle School (Burbank USD). All winners also receive cash prizes: $1,500 to each teacher, $3,000 for school programs and $5,000 for the School award.

The event was held at the Grand Hall in the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion and was hosted by acclaimed producer/director Garry Marshall. The evening included performances by Diamond Ranch High School, led by 2009 Bravo Award winner Typhani Harris; Glendale High School Jazz Band, directed by 2009 Bravo Award winner Amy Rangel; and the King Drew Medical Magnet choir directed by 2010 Bravo candidate Reggie Andrews.

The Music Center Bravo Awards program was established in 1982 to recognize teachers and schools for innovation and excellence in arts education. It honors educators who use the arts to revitalize teaching, enhance student achievement and foster self-esteem, teamwork and crosscultural communication and understanding. The Bravo Awards are one example of the Music Center's leadership to advance arts education across Los Angeles County.