Performing Arts Fort Worth's Children's Education Program Welcomes Millionth Student

Performing Arts Fort Worth's Children's Education Program, a free-of-charge arts program open to students in Fort Worth and surrounding areas, welcomed its millionth student to Bass Performance Hall today.

Surrounded by classmates and family, 6-year-old ElizaBeth Martinez of Washington Heights Elementary was honored with a bundle of balloons and an oversized ticket, representing the free admission that the first-grade student and her family will receive to two upcoming shows in Performing Arts Fort Worth's Family Series at Bass Performance Hall.

"Our Children's Education Program at Performing Arts Fort Worth is thrilled to celebrate the millionth student being provided the chance to experience arts education at Bass Performance Hall," says Dione Kennedy, President & CEO of Performing Arts Fort Worth. "Our Children's Education Program is one the cornerstones of our mission as the non-profit organization that owns and operates Bass Hall. It's critical that we provide students with opportunities to experience live performances that enhance the classroom curriculum and also help shape their understanding and support of the arts."

Edward P. Bass, Chairman of the Board for Performing Arts Fort Worth, presented the oversized ticket to Martinez onstage before a CEP performance by Grammy Award®-winning singer David Holt. More than 1,800 local schoolchildren were in attendance.

""Elizabeth represents all of the 999,999 students who have come to Bass Hall before her for our Children's Education Program performances," says Mr. Bass. "What is most significant is the experience that each and every one of these young students, now numbering one-million including Elizabeth, have had here."

Also in attendance was Walter Dansby, Superintendent for the Fort Worth Independent School District, as well as representatives from the Red Oak Foundation, Sid W. Richardson Foundation and the Fort Worth Police Department.