Ella Beyer

Pasadena Humane Partners With LACM For Original Song

Pasadena-Based Student Ella Beyer Chosen to Write Song for Rose Parade’s 2024 Theme “Celebrating a World of Music: The Universal Language” 

For the first time in 20 years, Pasadena Humane will have a float, sponsored by Hill’s Pet Nutrition, in the 2024 Rose Parade presented by Honda. Inspired by this year’s theme, “Celebrating a World of Music: The Universal Language,” the nonprofit created a songwriting competition with their friends and Pasadena neighbors at the Los Angeles College of Music (LACM), where students and alumni musicians were given the chance to write an original song to accompany the float.   

“The 2024 theme “Celebrating a World of Music: The Universal Language” brings us together through music,” said 2024 Tournament of Roses President Alex Aghajanian. “In a world of different cultures, beliefs, hopes and dreams, one language unites us all – music. From bossa nova to blues, classical to country, metal to mariachi and rock to rap, thousands of genres invite us to become one in celebrating a world of music. Whether near or far, young or old, we invite you to year-long festivities that culminate New Year’s Day at the Rose Parade. Let the music begin!” 

Twenty-year-old LACM songwriting student Ella Beyer’s “Feed the Love” stood out to the Pasadena Humane and Hill’s Pet Nutrition teams. The song’s lyrics touch on themes of pet adoption, the human-animal bond and the love pets bring to our lives. The Pasadena born and raised singer-songwriter recently hit the recording studio at LACM which is fully producing, recording and donating the track for the non-profit’s 55-foot float for the Parade. Listen here.  

“Nothing brings people together more than pets and music,” said Ella. “Our pets are members of the family. I knew I wanted to write a song that was upbeat and positive, and that would hopefully inspire people to sing along, and to get behind the cause of helping animals.”  

After the song was selected, Ella shared that her family has adopted pets throughout her whole life, and she has been an active volunteer and donor to various shelters and animal welfare organizations.  

“We are thrilled to be partnering with Pasadena Humane and Hill’s Pet Nutrition by highlighting one of our many talented students and producing the song for their float in this year’s Rose Parade,” said Erin Workman, LACM Executive Vice President and Department Head, Songwriting & Music Business. “Many of our students and faculty volunteer at Pasadena Humane which is right next door to our college, so we are honored to collaborate with them and convey our commitment to animals in need while celebrating the unifying force and power of music.” 

“We hope you tune into the Rose Parade on January 1 to hear Ella’s song and watch our spectacular 55-ft “Feed the Love” float as it makes its way down Colorado Blvd,” said Dia DuVernet, president and CEO of Pasadena Humane. “We want to motivate viewers on the parade route in Pasadena and those watching throughout the world to adopt, foster, volunteer or donate to their favorite shelter.” 

DuVernet’s adopted dog Sueshi will ride on the float with her, along with other dogs, Pasadena Humane staff and volunteers, Pasadena Humane’s long-time partner Hill’s Pet Nutrition and its veterinary partners Drs. Vernard Hodges and Terrence Ferguson, stars of National Geo Wild’s Critter Fixers: Country Vets.  

Hill’s Pet Nutrition has proudly fed the cats and dogs of Pasadena Humane through the Hill’s Food, Shelter and Love program since 2012.