We are thrilled to join 22 Young Audiences affiliates (from Georgia to Massachusetts) to shine a light on all we do to inspire young people and expand their learning through arts experiences during National Young Audiences Arts for Learning Week 2014: March 16–22. This year we have 12 events from 10 artists in schools from Vancouver, WA to Scappoose, OR. To learn more about these artitsts and programs, click through to our Educator’s Guide to Arts Resources or contact [do action=”contact-school-liaison”/].

Write out Loud!
Monday, March 17, 2014
The Emerson School

Master storyteller Anne Rutherford uses kinesthetic and aural learning strategies to bolster students’ skill and desire to write. With a kit of writing templates developed by Anne, students create and draft an original story, including pre-writing organization and revision strategies. Anne leads students in using their bodies and voices to energize their writing, demonstrating strategies teachers can adapt for their continued use.

Arts for Learning Residency
Monday, March 17, 2014
Rock Creek Elementary

Mark Caporael provides students with an opportunity to interpret the world around them using a variety of mediums. Using implements as basic as pencil up to learning the nuances of depicting light and shadow with conte crayon, students begin to develop a keener interest in their environments by recognizing their ability to depict and alter them as they recognize and develop their personal style. As techniques are shared, compared, and discussed, students meet challenges and learn to develop images from their most basic forms and shapes into drawings with light, depth, and mass.

Animal Masks – Creation to Performance
Tuesday, March 18, 2014
Le Monde French Immersion School

Mask maker and actor Shuhe delights students and teachers alike as he guides classes through the process of making and performing in animal masks. Students sculpt and use papier-mâché to create a mask in the likeness of an animal of their choosing, then bring it to life through voice and body movement. Shuhe uses his experience as an actor to bring out individual creativity.

Somos La Musica
Wednesday, March 19, 2014
Peterson Elementary
Friday, March 21, 2014
Schools Heights Elementary

Gerardo Calderon and his ensemble provide a high-energy musical performance of traditional Latin American sounds reflecting Native American, European and African influences. Through narrative and the demonstration of a variety of instruments, students learn how this lively, beautiful folk music was influenced by other cultures.

The Roots of Hip Hop
Thursday, March 20, 2014
Rosa Parks Elementary

Valerie Bergman, Darryl Thomas and their ensemble of dancers, Rainbow Dance Company, take students on a high-energy adventure in cultural history, tracing the popular African-American dance style hip-hop back to its roots. The program begins with a new dance featuring the latest hip-hop and break-dance steps. Then, using authentic African instruments, audience participation, costumes and vignettes such as “hamboning” and “voguing,” they recount the journey of African-Americans from their homes in Africa though slavery to the present.

Introduction to Taiko
Thursday, March 20, 2014
The Gardner School

Kazuyo Ito, an energetic Taiko drumming teacher who has performed internationally, teaches students the rhythms and stances of Taiko and its ethos of communal strength. Students learn respect for the tools of Taiko and for their peers, drumming in a circle so they can see and support each other. Students also learn to create their own rhythms and express their feelings through their drums. Every session begins and ends with stretching, and students get an athletic workout in between. Kazuyo teaches aspects of Japanese culture and language related to Taiko instruments and performance.

Afro Reggae-Funky Highlife
Thursday, March 20, 2014
Alameda School

Ghanaian singer, drummer and dancer Chata Addy and his band Susuma (which means “soul” in Ga) perform a mix of Afro Reggae and Funky Highlife musical styles. The upbeat band consists of conga and talking drums, as well as keyboard, guitar, bass and horn. Chata teaches students to dance and to play percussion instruments with the band and shares experiences that have shaped his life and songwriting. Students learn how West Africa and America influence each other through music.

Do Jump!
Thursday, March 20, 2014
Camas Montessori
Friday, March 21, 2014
Glencoe Elementary

Robin Lane’s Do Jump! ensemble amazes audiences with its ability to blend acrobatics, dance, live music, audience participation and circus arts to tell stories and create magic on stage. DO JUMP! Is a high-energy celebration of the human spirit, filled with teamwork, spontaneity, athleticism, comedy and fun!

Handeyi! (Let’s Go!)
Friday, March 21, 2014
Woodmere Elementary

Handeyi, which means “let’s go” in the Shona language, is an invitation to experience the joy of collaborative music-making with Kite Giedraitis and Fools in Paradise. Featured are songs from Zimbabwe, Ghana, Guinea and South Africa played on traditional hand-made instruments such as the African marimba, mbira (kalimba) and hosho. The audience is encouraged to participate through lively singing, call-and-response, polyrhythmic clapping and dancing.

Didjeridu – The Sound of Australia
Friday, March 21, 2014
Montclair Elementary

Accomplished musician and composer Ed Drury introduces student audiences to the compelling sounds of one of the world’s oldest wind instruments, the didjeridu (called yidaki by its traditional owners, the Yolngu). Along with a demonstration of the two primary ancient forms and performances of selected original compositions written for the didjeridu, Ed blends storytelling and audience participation to encourage understanding and appreciation for the music, culture and language of the Aboriginal people who reside in remote parts of Australia.