2025 YOUNG MUSICIANS BALL

Heartbeat Music & Performing Arts Academy cordially invites you to support our annual Young Musicians' Ball, an uplifting event that celebrates the remarkable achievements of our students, staff, and the entire Heartbeat community.

This inspiring evening showcases our talented marching band, recognizes the graduating class and their college choices, highlights scholarship recipients, and honors dedicated staff and sponsors who have significantly contributed to Heartbeat's success.

Check-in ends
promptly at 4:15pm

Our Ball is a central component of our Annual Campaign, which focuses on raising funds for the upcoming operational year.

With your invaluable support, we can continue providing our high-quality performing

arts programming at little to no cost for families who need it most, ensuring that our community remains strong and thriving.

MARCH WITH US TO THE BEAT OF SUCCESS!

HOW FUNDS WILL BE USED

The funds raised will be allocated to cover various expenses of our program, including but not limited to:

PROFESSIONAL INSTRUCTORS
PERFORMANCE TRANSPORTATION
EQUIPTMENT COSTS
UNIFORMS
EDUCATONAL MATERIALS
SCHOLARSHIPS

By donating to our fundraising efforts, you'll directly contribute to our students' personal and artistic growth, providing them with life-changing experiences and opportunities.

TICKETS TO THE BALL

Road To Paris - Giving Tuesday flyer cop

SPONSORSHIP PACKAGES

GUEST KEYNOTE SPEAKER

Orlando Jones
Actor | Writer | Producer | Showrunner Futurist | Brand Architect

Orlando Jones is a cultural force—an award-winning actor, writer, producer, and visionary storyteller redefining how entertainment, fandom, and technology converge. Known for standout performances in American Gods, Drumline, Sleepy Hollow, and the legendary MADtv, Jones first rose to fame with the now-iconic Make 7 Up Yours campaign. He helped launch the FX Network into 18 million homes with Sound FX and went on to build a résumé that spans comedy, drama, animation, and cutting-edge immersive content .

In 2026, Jones stars in Empire at Sea, a groundbreaking augmented reality installation commissioned by Lincoln Center. This Solarpunk narrative explores climate reckoning and generational struggle aboard a floating utopian colony, with Jones portraying “The Father”—a visionary whose ideals face challenge from within.

In television, Jones is a series regular on The Family Business: New Orleans (BET+), recently greenlit for Season 2. He also headlines two new nationally syndicated educational shows—Orlando Jones Takes On History and The Hot List—produced and distributed by Hearst Media across ABC, NBC, and CBS as part of their
Saturday morning programming .

On the big screen, Jones will appear in the 2025 feature film Trouble Man alongside Michael Jai White, Mike Epps, Lala Anthony, and Method Man. The film is being released by producer Samuel Goldwyn Mayer. Beyond performance, Jones is a pioneer in fan culture and immersive storytelling. He co-founded Legion of Creatives (LOC), earned the first-ever Virtual Reality Emmy, and wrote the foreword to Seeing Fans, the seminal book on fandom studies. He lectures at MIT, UCLA, Oxford, and Princeton, and has worked alongside Henry Jenkins to shape the field of Fan Studies .

Jones also champions emerging talent and healthy living. He’s a brand ambassador for SpaceMilk, a clean, next-gen protein brand free of dairy, soy, or heavy metals—and serves as Ambassador, Mentor, and Instructor for the Heartbeat Music & Performing Arts Academy in San Diego, supporting youth through music, arts, and college prep. Whether on stage, in the classroom, behind the camera, or in the metaverse, Orlando Jones remains a singular voice shaping the future of entertainment.

OPENING REMARKS GUEST SPEAKER

Supervisor Monica Montgomery-Steppe

Monica Montgomery Steppe is a dedicated public servant and community advocate, currently serving as the San Diego County Supervisor for District 4. A San Diego native, she earned her law degree from California Western School of Law and has worked in civil rights and criminal justice reform.

Previously, she served on the San Diego City Council, where she championed equity-driven policies. Sworn in as County Supervisor in 2023, she is the first Black woman elected to the Board and continues to focus on improving services and quality of life for District 4 residents.

THIS YEAR'S GRADUATE

Shawn Young

1/1

LOCATION:

The Abbey - 2825 Fifth Ave, San Diego, CA 92103

DATE:

May 31st, 2025

TIME:

Check in & Happy Hour: 3:45pm (check-in ends promptly at 4:15pm)
Dinner 4-5pm
Ceremony 5-7pm

TICKETS:

$65

2025 HONOREES

Honoring Excellence at the 2025 Young Musicians Ball

We celebrate the heart and soul of Heartbeat Music & Performing Arts Academy—the students, staff, and parents whose dedication, passion, and unwavering support make our community truly extraordinary.

Each honoree tonight is a testament to the power of music and community. We are honored to celebrate you and the magic you bring to the Heartbeat family.

Congratulations to all our 2025 honorees! Your dedication is the melody that keeps our academy thriving.

Student Honorees: The Heartbeat of our academy, these young musicians have demonstrated outstanding growth, perseverance, and artistry. Through countless hours of practice, fearless performances, and a deep love for their craft, they continue to inspire us all. Their music is not just heard—it is felt.

Staff Honorees: Our dedicated educators and mentors go beyond teaching—they ignite creativity, foster confidence, and shape the next generation of artists. Their commitment to excellence, patience, and encouragement empower our students to reach new heights. Tonight, we recognize their tireless efforts in making dreams a reality.

Parent Honorees: Behind every young musician is a family that cheers the loudest, sacrifices the most, and believes the strongest. These parents have played an instrumental role in their children’s artistic journeys, providing love, encouragement, and an unwavering commitment to their success.