L.A. Children's Chorus To Honor Out-Going Artistic Director At Gala Bel Canto

Los Angeles Children's Chorus (LACC), one of the nation's leading treble choirs, honors Artistic Director Anne Tomlinson, currently serving her final year with LACC after leading the organization with distinction for 22 years, at "Gala Bel Canto" on Wednesday, April 11, 2018, 6 pm, at Millennium Biltmore Hotel in downtown Los Angeles. The celebration features musical tributes by some 200 singers from five LACC ensembles, as well as a three-course dinner, fine wines and a live auction. John Horn, host of KPCC's "The Frame," is Master of Ceremonies and Los Angeles Master Chorale Artistic Director Grant Gershon presents LACC's "Bel Canto Award" to Tomlinson. Proceeds from the annual fundraiser benefit Los Angeles Children's Chorus' outstanding artistic and scholarship programs.

Tomlinson oversees the educational and artistic development of the Chorus and leads LACC's renowned Concert Choir and Chamber Singers. Additionally, she is Children's Chorus Mistress for LA Opera. Tomlinson has worked with celebrated conductors Gustavo Dudamel, Esa-Pekka Salonen, Plácido Domingo, James Conlon and Gershon and prepared the Chorus for performances with LA Opera, Los Angeles Philharmonic and Los Angeles Master Chorale, among other leading organizations. Tomlinson's film work includes the 2002 Academy Award-nominated documentary Sing!, which chronicles a year in the life of LACC, and the sequel documentaries Sing Opera! and Sing China! Her live broadcast work includes the Chamber Singers performance on NPR's nationally syndicated program "From the Top." Tomlinson is a frequent guest conductor and presenter at symposia, workshops and festivals both nationally and internationally. She holds a Bachelor of Music degree from Oberlin College Conservatory of Music and Master's degree in conducting from Northwestern University, where she studied with Margaret Hillis. Tomlinson has received in 2000 the Gold Crown Award for Music Education, given by the Pasadena Arts Council, the 2001 Power of One Award, given by the Facing History and Ourselves Foundation, and the 2006 Educator of the Year Award presented by the Harvard-Radcliffe Club of Southern California. Tomlinson is stepping down from Los Angeles Children's Chorus at the conclusion of the 201718 season, after 22 years of leading the organization to unprecedented growth and artistic excellence.

Jennifer and Joe Sliskovich (Los Angeles) are co-chairing Gala Bel Canto. The gala committee members are Rashmi Bansal (Pasadena), Elizabeth Grossman Besch (La Cañada Flintridge), Andrea Bland (Pasadena), Darbin Chan (San Gabriel), Elise Gilbert (La Cañada Flintridge), Hilary Kingston (Pasadena), Jena Liddy (Pasadena), Corina Madilian (Glendale), Cheryl R. Scheidemantle, Ph.D. (Pasadena), Helen Kim Spitzer (San Marino) and Andrea Greene Willard (San Marino).

LACC serves more than 400 children ages 6 to 18 from 50 communities across Los Angeles. In demand for its artistic excellence, LACC performs with such leading organizations as LA Opera, Los Angeles Philharmonic, Hollywood Bowl Orchestra, Los Angeles Master Chorale, Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra, Pasadena Symphony and POPS, Calder Quartet and Jacaranda. LACC, recipient of Chorus America's 2014 Margaret Hillis Award for Choral Excellence, the nation's highest choral honor, shares its artistry around the globe, touring to North and South America, Africa, China, Cuba, Australia, Japan and Europe. The chorus is also the subject of a trilogy of documentaries by Academy Award-winning filmmaker Freida Mock, has performed with John Mayer on NBC's "The Tonight Show," and was featured on PBS's "Great Performances," BBC Radio and Public Radio International, among other credits.

Gala tickets are $400 per person with sponsorship packages available. The Millennium Biltmore Hotel is located at 506 South Grand Avenue, Los Angeles, California, 90071. For tickets and information, please call (626) 793-4231 or visit www.galabelcanto.com.

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