News Releases » Award-Winning Musician IZ Avila to Return to Central Coast to Honor Students and Staff at Marina Vista Elementary and MLK School of the Arts

Award-Winning Musician IZ Avila to Return to Central Coast to Honor Students and Staff at Marina Vista Elementary and MLK School of the Arts

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

May 9, 2022

 

CONTACTS

 

Jaime Reed

Development and Communications Manager, Turnaround Arts: California

[email protected]

(805) 705-8599

 

Marci McFadden

Chief of Communications, Monterey Peninsula Unified School District

[email protected]

(831) 706-6971


Award-Winning Musician IZ Avila to Return to Central Coast to Honor Students and Staff at Marina Vista Elementary and MLK School of the Arts


MONTEREY, CA -- Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. School of the Arts in Seaside, CA and Marina Vista Elementary Arts Academy in Marina, CA continue to celebrate their success in leveraging the arts for educational equity. In recognition of their achievements, award-winning musician IZ Avila returns to honor the students and staff and visit the schools as their “Turnaround Artist” mentor on May 18 and May 19 (closed event, media must RSVP to attend).


The visits from IZ Avila will include opportunities for students to interact with him hands-on as he shares his DJ skills with the school. 


Both schools are supported by Turnaround Arts: California, a nonprofit organization whose mission is to harness the power of the arts to engage, empower, and transform historically marginalized schools and communities. These Turnaround Arts partner schools, in addition to 24 others throughout the state, strategically integrate the arts to improve student and family engagement and improve school culture. 

 

“Arts education has become a hallmark in our district. All of our schools have robust visual and performing arts programs because we know they are critical components of a student’s academic success. Our partnership with Turnaround Arts: California and IZ Avila at Marina Vista Elementary Arts Academy and Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. School of the Arts has greatly benefited our students and their academic growth,” said PK Diffenbaugh, Superintendent, Monterey Peninsula Unified School District.


The district was recently recognized as one of 738 school districts in the nation that has been honored with the Best Communities for Music Education designation from The NAMM Foundation for its outstanding commitment to music education. This is the third year in a row that MPUSD has received this honor.

 

“We are thrilled to welcome award-winning musician and Turnaround Artist IZ Avila back to Marina Vista Elementary Arts Academy and Martin Luther King, Jr. School of the Arts. Turnaround Arts: California is proud to partner with these schools, working together to integrate the arts throughout all classroom subjects for more equitable, inclusive and arts-rich environments in support of student and teacher success. During a uniquely challenging year for public schools, it is a true pleasure to help bring IZ Avila here to honor and celebrate students' and educators' hard work,” said Malissa Shriver, Co-founder of Turnaround Arts: California.

 

SCHEDULE


Where: Marina Vista Elementary Arts Academy and Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. School of the Arts


May 18th at Marina Vista Elementary Arts Academy

8:30am: Arrivals

8:45am - 9:30am: Classroom visits

9:45am - 10:30am: School dance party with DJ IZ

10:45am - 11:30am: Student Spring Concert

12:00pm: End of Day


May 19th at Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. School of the Arts

10:00am: Arrivals

10:30am - 12:05pm: DJ workshops with students

1:30 - 2:00pm: School dance party with DJ IZ

2:00pm: End of Day


**Closed to the public, media must RSVP to attend**


About MPUSD

The Monterey Peninsula Unified School District is home to approximately 9,600 students in grades transitional kindergarten through 12th grade. The district also houses preschool and adult education. The district is built on a solid foundation of effective instruction, positive school culture, systems of support, and collaborative leadership. The district is nestled along the Monterey Bay, and stretches from the city of Marina to the north to the city of Monterey to the south, and encompasses the communities of Del Rey Oaks, Marina, Monterey, Sand City and Seaside.


About Turnaround Arts: California

Founded in 2014 by renowned architect Frank Gehry and arts education advocate Malissa Shriver, Turnaround Arts: California helps California’s public schools integrate the arts across the school environment, building equity, supporting student and teacher success, engaging families, and creating a positive school culture and climate. Turnaround Arts: California is a partner of The Kennedy Center’s national Turnaround Arts program.