Santa Barbara students just hit the big time, ditching their schools’ halls for the Broadway stage this week.
Manhattan Concert Productions invited Santa Barbara Junior High teacher Rich Lashua — the 2025 Santa Barbara Bowl performing arts teacher of the year — and his students to perform in a national youth ensemble for the one-night concert on Monday. On the bill was a variety of showtunes and a cast of real Broadway stars.
For the trip — funded by a one-time Cal Arts block grant — Lashua assembled the “Condor Community Choir,” featuring a mix of 34 talented elementary and junior high students from Santa Barbara Unified schools.