Affiliated with the national Young Audiences Arts for Learning network
Artist Biography
Andy Furgeson, aka Red Yarn, is a musician, puppeteer and educator from Austin, Texas, based in Portland since 2005. After several years working in after school programs and playing music for grown-ups, Andy decided to combine his passions for education and music by creating Red Yarn. Since going full-time as a family performer and teaching artist in June 2012, Andy has performed 250 shows per year, taught music and puppetry to thousands of students, and touched the lives of countless families with his songs, puppets, and positive messages. With seven albums, extensive touring, and videos galore, Red Yarn is taking his creative folklore project to a national scale.
Andy lives in North Portland with his wife and singing partner Jessie Eller-Isaacs (an English teacher at Cleveland High School), their two young children, and a basement full of critter puppets.
Teaching Philosophy
Children carry the potential for profound self-expression. Andy helps them explore several expressive art forms at once. By providing opportunities for children to sing in a group, write original lyrics, build and manipulate puppets, and perform for their families, Andy engages all types of learners in the creative process. He brings his warm, playful energy into the classroom, deftly shifting gears between light-hearted exploration and serious art-making.
Testimonial
"Red Yarn is not only an amazing artist and musician, he knows how to work with young learners. He challenges them, builds confidence, helps them identify art in the world...all while having so much fun! I recommend this experience highly." K-5 Teacher
