Show of support for kids and music

The James Irvine Foundation has committed $15,000 toward the production of three new episodes of Sylvia Kunin’s “Musical Encounters,” the half-hour cable access shows that bring together young musicians and elementary or secondary school students.

The three new shows, featuring violinist Tami Kawakubo, pianist June Asai and soprano Jessica Tivens, will be broadcast by Los Angeles cable-access channel LA36, bringing to 60 the total of televised “Musical Encounters” Kunin has produced in recent years.

Now 89, Kunin, founded the Debut Orchestra and Young Musicians Foundation 50 years ago. “As always,” she says, “our purpose is to build audiences,” she says. “Our job is exposing youngsters to music.”

-- Daniel Cariaga