ANTHONY “TONY” WHITE is a native of Los Angeles who grew up in South L.A. He is the eldest of ten children and the first one in his immediate family to attend college.
He is the Coordinator of Music and Entertainment Education in the Beyond the Bell Branch of the Los Angeles Unified School District. He received his Bachelor of Arts degree in Music Education from the University of California, Riverside and his Masters Degree in Educational Administration from Pepperdine University. He is currently researching several schools to pursue a Doctorate of Musical Arts.
Mr. White attended South Park Elementary School and Charles Drew Middle School. It was here at Drew Middle School that he started to play the clarinet under the direction of Mrs. Fran Herman. He has been a musician ever since and has not let go of his passion. He attended John C. Fremont High School for his freshman year of high school but left after the first year because the school did not have a music program. He finished his high school career at Nathaniel Narbonne HS in Harbor City, California.
Subsequently, Mr. White was assigned to teach music at Fremont High School. It was a decision that would shape his career in the Los Angeles Unified School District. He taught for ten years at John C. Fremont High School in Los Angeles, where he was the instrumental music teacher and department chairperson. He developed one of the most successful music programs in the history of Fremont High School. All of the bands in his program were recognized and honored by the community and the city of Los Angeles for their outstanding performance and positive contribution to Los Angeles. The program included a marching band, jazz band and combos, concert band and percussion ensembles. He was able to inspire many of his students to reach their goals of going to college and giving back to their community.
In his current position, Mr. White is the head director of the LAUSD Beyond the Bell All District High School Marching Band, which can be seen on January 1 (or 2) marching at the Tournament of Roses Parade. He has been working and developing the band since 1984. Mr. White is also the coordinator of such programs as the LAUSD All District Jazz Academy and oversees partnership programs with organizations such as the Herbie Hancock Institute of Jazz, Grammy in the Schools Live and the Harmony Program.
In his career, Mr. White has been recognized by the Los Angeles Jazz Society, a Music Center Bravo Award Finalist, has received the Fulfillment Award and the UC Riverside Chancellor Award. He has also received the Humanitarian Award from the Omni Youth Music Awards, L.A. Music Week Honoree, recognition by the Los Angeles Unified School District Board of Education for his work in music education and the International Association for Jazz Education for being an Outstanding Saxophonist.
Mr. White is a strong advocate for quality music and arts education programs. He is constantly meeting with administrators, teachers, students, parents and students to discuss their desires to create quality programs in all cities. When he is not meeting or planning programs, he is performing at various ventures around town on his trusty saxophones spreading the word about the importance of music and music education!