Music to feel, touch and laugh with

Santa Monica College (SMC) student and narrator Nate Hathaway (R), and Guilford “Gilly the Clown” Adams (R) performing during the SMC Symphony Orchestra special children’s concert on Sunday, April 26, 2026, at BroadStage at the SMC Performing Arts Center in Santa Monica, Calif. Presented by the SMC Music Department in collaboration with the SMC Dance Department and Theatre Arts Department, the family event featured the orchestra, conducted by Mercedes Juan Musotto, performing popular classical works by Shostakovich, Rossini, Minkus, and others, with choreography by SMC dance students April Torres and Layla Fowler, and Guilford “Gilly the Clown” Adams guiding the audience through the experience. (Guillermo De La Barreda | The Corsair)

The SMC Symphony Orchestra presented its Spring Children’s Concert, a family-friendly, interdisciplinary show on Sunday, April 26, at BroadStage at the SMC Performing Arts Center.

Conducted by Mercedes Juan Musotto, the performance featured collaborations with students from the college’s dance and theatre arts departments, including original choreography by April Torres and Layla Fowler and narration by Nathan Hathaway. The concert also included performances by baritone Patrick Bittner, SMC student dancers and actor Gilly the Clown, who guided the audience through a program that incorporated music, movement and theatrical storytelling.

Designed as a fun, immersive experience, the program blended orchestral music with dance and clowning to engage audiences of all ages, with a focus on creativity, curiosity, and accessibility for families and first-time concertgoers. Performers appeared throughout the venue, transforming the theater into an interactive environment. 

Following the performance, the lobby turned into a busy instrument petting zoo, where children and their families engaged with the performers and their instruments.

Santa Monica College (SMC) dancer Venice West Gonzales leaps as part of his routine during the SMC Symphony Orchestra's special children’s concert on Sunday, April 26, 2026, at BroadStage at the SMC Performing Arts Center in Santa Monica, Calif. Presented by the SMC Music Department in collaboration with the SMC Dance Department and Theatre Arts Department, the family event featured the orchestra, conducted by Mercedes Juan Musotto, performing popular classical works by Shostakovich, Rossini, Minkus, and others, with choreography by SMC dance students April Torres and Layla Fowler, and Guilford “Gilly the Clown” Adams guiding the audience through the experience. (Guillermo De La Barreda | The Corsair)

Santa Monica College (SMC) dancers performing during the SMC Symphony Orchestra's special children’s concert on Sunday, April 26, 2026, at BroadStage at the SMC Performing Arts Center in Santa Monica, Calif. Presented by the SMC Music Department in collaboration with the SMC Dance Department and Theatre Arts Department, the family event featured the orchestra, conducted by Mercedes Juan Musotto, performing popular classical works by Shostakovich, Rossini, Minkus, and others, with choreography by SMC dance students April Torres and Layla Fowler, and Guilford “Gilly the Clown” Adams guiding the audience through the experience. (Guillermo De La Barreda | The Corsair)

A child looks up at Guilford “Gilly the Clown” Adams after a Santa Monica College (SMC) Symphony Orchestra’s special children’s concert on Sunday, April 26, 2026, at BroadStage at the SMC Performing Arts Center in Santa Monica, Calif. Presented by the SMC Music Department in collaboration with the SMC Dance Department and Theatre Arts Department, the family event featured the orchestra, conducted by Mercedes Juan Musotto, performing popular classical works by Shostakovich, Rossini, Minkus, and others, with choreography by SMC dance students April Torres and Layla Fowler, and Guilford “Gilly the Clown” Adams guiding the audience through the experience. (Guillermo De La Barreda | The Corsair)

Santa Monica College (SMC) student and narrator Nate Hathaway (R), and Guilford “Gilly the Clown” Adams (R) performing during the SMC Symphony Orchestra special children’s concert on Sunday, April 26, 2026, at BroadStage at the SMC Performing Arts Center in Santa Monica, Calif. Presented by the SMC Music Department in collaboration with the SMC Dance Department and Theatre Arts Department, the family event featured the orchestra, conducted by Mercedes Juan Musotto, performing popular classical works by Shostakovich, Rossini, Minkus, and others, with choreography by SMC dance students April Torres and Layla Fowler, and Guilford “Gilly the Clown” Adams guiding the audience through the experience. (Guillermo De La Barreda | The Corsair)

Santa Monica College (SMC) dancers Venice West Gonzales (L) and Kara Alexys (R) performing during the SMC Symphony Orchestra's special children’s concert on Sunday, April 26, 2026, at BroadStage at the SMC Performing Arts Center in Santa Monica, Calif. Presented by the SMC Music Department in collaboration with the SMC Dance Department and Theatre Arts Department, the family event featured the orchestra, conducted by Mercedes Juan Musotto, performing popular classical works by Shostakovich, Rossini, Minkus, and others, with choreography by SMC dance students April Torres and Layla Fowler, and Guilford “Gilly the Clown” Adams guiding the audience through the experience. (Guillermo De La Barreda | The Corsair)

(L to R) Guilford “Gilly the Clown” Adams, Santa Monica College (SMC) dancers Sophia Aponte, Isabella Buada, and Venice West Gonzales performing during the SMC Symphony Orchestra's special children’s concert on Sunday, April 26, 2026, at BroadStage at the SMC Performing Arts Center in Santa Monica, Calif. Presented by the SMC Music Department in collaboration with the SMC Dance Department and Theatre Arts Department, the family event featured the orchestra, conducted by Mercedes Juan Musotto, performing popular classical works by Shostakovich, Rossini, Minkus, and others, with choreography by SMC dance students April Torres and Layla Fowler, and Guilford “Gilly the Clown” Adams guiding the audience through the experience. (Guillermo De La Barreda | The Corsair)

Baritone Patrick Bittner performing during the Santa Monica College (SMC) Symphony Orchestra's special children’s concert on Sunday, April 26, 2026, at BroadStage at the SMC Performing Arts Center in Santa Monica, Calif. Presented by the SMC Music Department in collaboration with the SMC Dance Department and Theatre Arts Department, the family event featured the orchestra, conducted by Mercedes Juan Musotto, performing popular classical works by Shostakovich, Rossini, Minkus, and others, with choreography by SMC dance students April Torres and Layla Fowler, and Guilford “Gilly the Clown” Adams guiding the audience through the experience. (Guillermo De La Barreda | The Corsair)

Members of the Santa Monica College (SMC) Symphony Orchestra arrive for a special children’s concert on Sunday, April 26, 2026, at BroadStage at the SMC Performing Arts Center in Santa Monica, Calif. Presented by the SMC Music Department in collaboration with the SMC Dance Department and Theatre Arts Department, the family event featured the orchestra, conducted by Mercedes Juan Musotto, performing popular classical works by Shostakovich, Rossini, Minkus, and others, with choreography by SMC dance students April Torres and Layla Fowler, and Guilford “Gilly the Clown” Adams guiding the audience through the experience. (Guillermo De La Barreda | The Corsair)

Children and their families enjoy an instrument petting zoo with members of the Santa Monica College (SMC) Symphony Orchestra, after a special children’s concert on Sunday, April 26, 2026, at The Broad Stage at the SMC Performing Arts Center in Santa Monica, Calif. Presented by the SMC Music Department in collaboration with the SMC Dance Department and Theatre Arts Department, the family event featured the orchestra, conducted by Mercedes Juan Musotto, performing popular classical works by Shostakovich, Rossini, Minkus, and others, with choreography by SMC dance students April Torres and Layla Fowler, and Guilford “Gilly the Clown” Adams guiding the audience through the experience. (Guillermo De La Barreda | The Corsair)

Santa Monica College (SMC) dancer Kara Alexys performing during the SMC Symphony Orchestra's special children’s concert on Sunday, April 26, 2026, at BroadStage at the SMC Performing Arts Center in Santa Monica, Calif. Presented by the SMC Music Department in collaboration with the SMC Dance Department and Theatre Arts Department, the family event featured the orchestra, conducted by Mercedes Juan Musotto, performing popular classical works by Shostakovich, Rossini, Minkus, and others, with choreography by SMC dance students April Torres and Layla Fowler, and Guilford “Gilly the Clown” Adams guiding the audience through the experience. (Guillermo De La Barreda | The Corsair)

An older couple holds hands during the Santa Monica College (SMC) Symphony Orchestra's special children’s concert on Sunday, April 26, 2026, at BroadStage at the SMC Performing Arts Center in Santa Monica, Calif. Presented by the SMC Music Department in collaboration with the SMC Dance Department and Theatre Arts Department, the family event featured the orchestra, conducted by Mercedes Juan Musotto, performing popular classical works by Shostakovich, Rossini, Minkus, and others, with choreography by SMC dance students April Torres and Layla Fowler, and Guilford “Gilly the Clown” Adams guiding the audience through the experience. (Guillermo De La Barreda | The Corsair)

Two kids interact with a basson during an instrument petting zoo with members of the Santa Monica College (SMC) Symphony Orchestra, after a special children’s concert on Sunday, April 26, 2026, at BroadStage at the SMC Performing Arts Center in Santa Monica, Calif. Presented by the SMC Music Department in collaboration with the SMC Dance Department and Theatre Arts Department, the family event featured the orchestra, conducted by Mercedes Juan Musotto, performing popular classical works by Shostakovich, Rossini, Minkus, and others, with choreography by SMC dance students April Torres and Layla Fowler, and Guilford “Gilly the Clown” Adams guiding the audience through the experience. (Guillermo De La Barreda | The Corsair)

Santa Monica College (SMC) dancer Mayu Oishi performing during the SMC Symphony Orchestra's special children’s concert on Sunday, April 26, 2026, at BroadStage at the SMC Performing Arts Center in Santa Monica, Calif. Presented by the SMC Music Department in collaboration with the SMC Dance Department and Theatre Arts Department, the family event featured the orchestra, conducted by Mercedes Juan Musotto, performing popular classical works by Shostakovich, Rossini, Minkus, and others, with choreography by SMC dance students April Torres and Layla Fowler, and Guilford “Gilly the Clown” Adams guiding the audience through the experience. (Guillermo De La Barreda | The Corsair)

Guilford “Gilly the Clown” Adams engages with the audience during the Santa Monica College (SMC) Symphony Orchestra special children’s concert on Sunday, April 26, 2026, at BroadStage at the SMC Performing Arts Center in Santa Monica, Calif. Presented by the SMC Music Department in collaboration with the SMC Dance Department and Theatre Arts Department, the family event featured the orchestra, conducted by Mercedes Juan Musotto, performing popular classical works by Shostakovich, Rossini, Minkus, and others, with choreography by SMC dance students April Torres and Layla Fowler, and Guilford “Gilly the Clown” Adams guiding the audience through the experience. (Guillermo De La Barreda | The Corsair)

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Santa Monica College (SMC) trumpet player Leo Marcus shows children his trumpet during an instrument petting zoo with members of the SMC Symphony Orchestra, after a special children’s concert on Sunday, April 26, 2026, at BroadStage at the SMC Performing Arts Center in Santa Monica, Calif. Presented by the SMC Music Department in collaboration with the SMC Dance Department and Theatre Arts Department, the family event featured the orchestra, conducted by Mercedes Juan Musotto, performing popular classical works by Shostakovich, Rossini, Minkus, and others, with choreography by SMC dance students April Torres and Layla Fowler, and Guilford “Gilly the Clown” Adams guiding the audience through the experience. (Guillermo De La Barreda | The Corsair)

Children and their families enjoy an instrument petting zoo with members of the Santa Monica College (SMC) Symphony Orchestra, after a special children’s concert on Sunday, April 26, 2026, at BroadStage at the SMC Performing Arts Center in Santa Monica, Calif. Presented by the SMC Music Department in collaboration with the SMC Dance Department and Theatre Arts Department, the family event featured the orchestra, conducted by Mercedes Juan Musotto, performing popular classical works by Shostakovich, Rossini, Minkus, and others, with choreography by SMC dance students April Torres and Layla Fowler, and Guilford “Gilly the Clown” Adams guiding the audience through the experience. (Guillermo De La Barreda | The Corsair)

Santa Monica College (SMC) dancers (L to R) Theresa Reish, Sophia Aponte, and Venice West Gonzales performing during the SMC Symphony Orchestra's special children’s concert on Sunday, April 26, 2026, at BroadStage at the SMC Performing Arts Center in Santa Monica, Calif. Presented by the SMC Music Department in collaboration with the SMC Dance Department and Theatre Arts Department, the family event featured the orchestra, conducted by Mercedes Juan Musotto, performing popular classical works by Shostakovich, Rossini, Minkus, and others, with choreography by SMC dance students April Torres and Layla Fowler, and Guilford “Gilly the Clown” Adams guiding the audience through the experience. (Guillermo De La Barreda | The Corsair)

Santa Monica College (SMC) Symphony Orchestra's conductor, Mercedes Juan Musotto, smiles during the ovation after the special children’s concert on Sunday, April 26, 2026, at BroadStage at the SMC Performing Arts Center in Santa Monica, Calif. Presented by the SMC Music Department in collaboration with the SMC Dance Department and Theatre Arts Department, the family event featured the orchestra performing popular classical works by Shostakovich, Rossini, Minkus, and others, with choreography by SMC dance students April Torres and Layla Fowler, and Guilford “Gilly the Clown” Adams guiding the audience through the experience. (Guillermo De La Barreda | The Corsair)

Baritone Patrick Bittner performing during the Santa Monica College (SMC) Symphony Orchestra's special children’s concert on Sunday, April 26, 2026, at BroadStage at the SMC Performing Arts Center in Santa Monica, Calif. Presented by the SMC Music Department in collaboration with the SMC Dance Department and Theatre Arts Department, the family event featured the orchestra, conducted by Mercedes Juan Musotto, performing popular classical works by Shostakovich, Rossini, Minkus, and others, with choreography by SMC dance students April Torres and Layla Fowler, and Guilford “Gilly the Clown” Adams guiding the audience through the experience. (Guillermo De La Barreda | The Corsair)