Classroom Connections
Since 1998, Classroom Connections has provided free arts instruction and performance opportunities for 1st through 5th grade students in the Long Beach Unified School District, including art education lessons, in-school artist visits, and a concluding field trip to see the artists performing on the Carpenter Center stage. The Carpenter Center is honored to provide Classroom Connections to over 3,000 LBUSD students each school year at no cost. Bus scholarships are available for those schools needing assistance with transportation to the final performance at the Carpenter Center.
April 5, 2023 - CSULB's Carpenter Center brings arts to life for local children, community
Applications for 2023–2024 programs are available now. Download the application, complete, and email to Corinne.Garthoff@csulb.edu.
2023-2024 Classroom Connections Schedule
Versa-Style Dance Company
Grades: 2–4
Versa-Style Dance Company creates a fusion of highly energetic dances with cultural significance to local communities.
Dec 4-7, 2023: Artist Assemblies
Dec 8, 2023 at 10 a.m.: Carpenter Center Performance
Julia Keefe Quartet
Grades: 3–5
Julia Keefe Indigenous Band honors the legacy of Indigenous contributions to jazz through storytelling and song.
Jan 22–25, 2024: Artist Assemblies
Jan 26, 2024 at 10 a.m.: Carpenter Center Performance
Ballet Folklorico de Los Angeles
Grades: 1–3
Ballet Folklorico de Los Angeles has distinguished itself as the nation’s premier Mexican folk dance company, presenting traditional Folklorico in unique, colorful, and dynamic performances.
Mar 18–21, 2024: Artist Assemblies
Mar 22, 2024 at 10 a.m.: Carpenter Center Performance
2022-2023 Classroom Connections Schedule
The Carpenter Center is proud to offer two online Classroom Connections programs for the Spring 2023 semester. All Long Beach Unified School District elementary, middle school, and high school teachers are eligible to participate. There is no cap on participation.
This semester’s programs include Memphis Jookin' The Show Featuring Lil Buck, and Flamenco Vivo Carlota Santana: Llaves de Oro, a Spanish Flamenco Journey. Participating teachers will be provided with materials during the dates listed below.
Memphis Jookin': The Show featuring Lil Buck
Grades: 2 – 12
Learn the Steps video and Study Guide: Available 5/1/23 – 6/15/23
Memphis Jookin’ is a street dance from Memphis, Tennessee deeply rooted in the culture of Black Memphians. Through Memphis Jookin’s complex footwork—from slides and glides to toe stands—the full-body dance style provides space to express the joys, battles, struggles, and successes of the community.
The study guide provides a synopsis of the show, Jookin’ Journal reflections, interviews with the dancers, and step-by-step dance instruction for all levels.
Flamenco Vivo Carlota Santana
Llaves de Oro, a Spanish Flamenco Journey
Grades: K – 12
Performance Video and Study Guide: Available 5/1/23 – 6/15/23
Introduce your class to the heart of Spanish Flamenco as your students gather up the llaves de oro or “golden keys” of this culturally rich form of music and dance. Students are introduced to the culture, rhythms, and emotions of flamenco, as well as discover its origins in Southern Spain and its multicultural influences: Andalusian, Gypsy, North African, Arabic and Judaic, and Latin American.
The artists demonstrate the important elements of flamenco including: castanuelas (castanets), guitarra (guitar), cante (voice), and zapateado (footwork), and share dances and songs spanning a range of emotions from joy to sorrow, anger to exuberance.
A performance video and study guide will be made available to participating teachers during the dates listed above.
Previous Classroom Connections Opportunities
- Black Violin
- Ballet Folklorico de Los Angeles
- Versa-Style Dance Company
- Symphonic Jazz Orchestra