District Concert Will Be Conducted By Malibu, Santa Monica Students

MALIBU, CA — Come March 18, nearly 900 Santa Monica and Malibu students will showcase their music skills at the 72nd annual Stairway of the Stars concert.

Starting at 4 p.m. on March 18, the elementary, middle and high school students will put on a "musical extravaganza" to show off their work in school music classes. The showcase will last through 6:30 p.m. at the Santa Monica High School Greek Theater, located at 601 Pico Blvd. Tickets can be purchased at this link and cost $17 for adults and $12 for students, youth and people over 65 years old.

"This year, the guest conductors will be SMMUSD’s talented music teachers, with high school conductors conducting middle school and middle school conductors conducting elementary, so students can become acquainted with their future teachers and conductors," the district said in a news release.

The concert was cancelled for two years due to COVID-19 and returned in person in 2022.

Former executive director of the Santa Monica Education Foundation Linda Greenberg will be presented with the 2023 Stairway Honor Award for her 28 years working with Santa Monica's public schools.

"Greenberg’s work is propelled by her steadfast dedication to providing equity and access to all children in Santa Monica’s public schools. Her core belief is that all students, regardless of their economic status, should have access to a quality education," the district said.

Greenberg helped the foundation raise $2.8 million in funding for additional STEM programs and health initiatives for Santa Monica schools. She helped the foundation secure over $10.5 million in new endowments and the foundation $24 million total.

She has previously been recognized by the Santa Monica Chamber of commerce, Santa Monica Bay Area Human Relations Council, the State Assembly and Senate.

Greenberg helped expand the district's visual and performing arts programming.

"After her retirement Greenberg continues with the Foundation as the part-time director of special projects at the Ed Foundation. In her new role, Linda is spearheading the development of an athletics fundraising campaign to increase funding for sports and athletics in the Santa Monica schools. She also oversees the Samohi Scholarship Fund, whose investments the Ed Foundation has managed since 2015," the district said.