Fort Worth fifth grader is Bass Hall education program's 2 millionth participant

Romina Rosas has been coming to Bass Performance Hall since kindergarten, or maybe first grade. She remembers seeing "The Nutcracker" and "The Magic School Bus," along with the actors, the music and how big the hall is. This October, the Fort Worth ISD fifth grader at Sam Rosen Elementary walked in as the 2 millionth participant in Performing Arts Fort Worth's Children's Education Program.

"It means a lot to me with all the great actors, great music, the great performances here," Romina told the Fort Worth Report. She said the yearly visits have made her feel like the arts are something she can be part of. She'd like to perform one day. "I'm very grateful for being here and learning all this new stuff," she said.

The milestone comes nearly three decades after arts education became part of Bass Performance Hall's mission, and 14 years after the program welcomed its 1 millionth participant. Jennifer Giddings Brooks, chair of Performing Arts Fort Worth's Education and Engagement Committee, said every Fort Worth ISD student in first through fifth grade attends a Bass Hall performance each year as part of the district's curriculum.

Since the hall opened in 1998, the program has offered student matinees, summer camps, literacy programs, workshops, student ticketing and virtual programming, according to Performing Arts Fort Worth. More than 70,000 students and teachers attend its free education performances each year. Beyond the elementary partnership with Fort Worth ISD, other programs reach middle and high school students across Fort Worth, Tarrant County and North Texas. The hall's website says its literacy program has given out more than 89,000 books.

This story is based on original reporting by the Fort Worth Report, with additional background from earlier Fort Worth Report coverage and Bass Performance Hall.