Classroom Connections

2026–2027 Schedule

Mumu Fresh with red hair and a colorful top tipping her head forward.

Mumu Fresh

Grades 9,10,11,12 

Maimouna Youssef (aka Mumu Fresh) draws from her expansive musical background in gospel, jazz, soul, hip hop, and more in this program designed to use songwriting as a creative, affirmative musical expression.

Artist Assemblies
10/12/26 – 10/15/26

Carpenter Center Performance
Fri, 10/16/26 @ 10:30 a.m. 

Two dancers from Pacífico Dance Company holding aloft their arms and the hem of their colorful costumes.

Pacifico Dance
Mujeres de Mexico: Stories in Motion

Grades 1,2,3,4,5

Experience the vibrant traditions of Mexican folklórico dance with spectacular costumes, dynamic footwork, and storytelling through movement as the company highlights regional dances from across Mexico.

Artist Assemblies
11/30/26 – 12/3/26

Carpenter Center Performance
Fri, 12/4/26 @ 10 a.m. 

Tien Hsieh seated at a piano.

Tien Hsieh

Grades 2,3,4,5

Classic pianist Tien Hsieh brings the piano alive as she introduces classical composers through real-life stories and her energizing fingers on the keys.  

Artist Assemblies
3/22/27 – 3/25/27

Carpenter Center Performance
Fri, 3/26/27 @ 10 a.m. 

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.

This was the first field trip for my second graders. Their excitement of the bus ride, the venue and the concert was such a joy to experience with my students. I appreciate Classroom Connections and all of your work to make this happen.
—Melissa Van Gessel, Smith Elementary School (Jarabe Mexicano, January 2025) 

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News

April 5, 2023 - CSULB's Carpenter Center brings arts to life for local children, community

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Applications are available now to LBUSD teachers.

2026-2027 Classroom Connections Application

Previous Classroom Connections Opportunities

  • Tien Hsieh
  • Jarabe Mexicano
  • Keyon Harrold
  • Julia Keefe Quartet
    Memphis Jookin': The Show featuring Lil Buck
  • Flamenco Vivo Carlota Santana
    Llaves de Oro, a Spanish Flamenco Journey
  • Black Violin
  • Ballet Folklorico de Los Angeles
  • Versa-Style Dance Company
  • Symphonic Jazz Orchestra