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Recruiting 100 Voices to Perform at STAPLES Center

Ideal Youth is calling all voices to audition for newly commissioned National Anthem Choir of Pasadena (NACP) to perform during the “3rd Annual City of Pasadena Night” at the STAPLES Center.  The auditions are open to individuals, groups and choirs, no prior experience required.  Auditions will be held from 10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. on Saturday, March 19, 2011 at Friendship Baptist Church, 80 W. Dayton St., Pasadena and on Saturday, March 26, at a Pasadena location to be determined.

The 100 voices selected to perform will lead the crowd in the national anthem at this years Pasadena Night fundraiser for Ideal Youths’ internship program on Sunday August 7th at 5:30 p.m. as the Sparks take on the Minnesota Lynx.

The group will make history as the first 100 voices to sing the National Anthem on center court in the STAPLES Center. This spectacular feat is coordinated under the direction of Michelle Richardson-Bailey, Music Coordinator for Ideal Youth, Inc.  The 100 voices will perform under the choral direction of gospel music artist, Saletta Hatchett musical director for this event. The choir will also feature music written and composed by Marvin Hatchett, a Pasadena native who has produced dozens of theatrical performances for Pasadena Unified School District students.

Xtreme Xplosion Dance Academy will provide a high energy tribute to several different styles of dance during the half-time show which will include the 100-Voice Choir.  Dance Choreographer April Almanza, CEO of Xtreme Xplosion Dance Academy says, “The youth is our future and Xtreme Xplosion is not just a dance academy we are an extended family to youth and we are committed to making this event a huge success.”

“We want people from all parts of the city who love to sing and want to be a part of something big, exciting and life-changing,” says Hatchett, who has composed a unique and thrilling version of the national anthem for the 100 voices that will feature a youth soloist.  “This will be a rare opportunity for singers of all ages and ethnicities to be part of history for the City of Pasadena by being part of a 100-Voice choir that will represent the wonderful diversity of our great city in every way,” adds Bailey, an active community organizer for more than a decade.

Ideal Youth has partnered with the Los Angeles Sparks to promote Pasadena’s commitment to highlight local youth and the programs and campaigns that cater to them. Each year Pasadena Night is packed with an exciting Sparks basketball game, explosive performances by Pasadena youth and recognition of Ideal Youths’ internship program graduates. Kardia Pinckney President of Ideal Youth says, “I believe Pasadena Night is the equivalence of the Grammy’s for our youth. Every young person desires to be acknowledged and recognized, and what better way to tell them that we support, and appreciate them but to do so in front of 8000 + fans cheering their names. It’s the highlight of my year!”

Ideal Youth is a Pasadena based non-profit.  Its’ mission is to educate students about workforce readiness, entrepreneurship and financial literacy through experimental hands-on advanced job training.

For more information about the 100 Voice Auditions, Ideal Youth or City of Pasadena Night with the Los Angeles Sparks, visit www.IdealYouth.org.

Additional Contact Information:

Ideal Youth Inc.

Event Co-Chairs: Luna Petty & Valerie Williams

83 E. Orange Grove Blvd, Suite #2

Pasadena, CA 91103

Ph: 626.796.7164 x 16