The “Silly Nomads” book series is a five-volume collection of children’s literature that target children ages 7- 12. I drew heavily on my own vibrant childhood experiences while growing up on the island of Jamaica. These stories, immersed young readers in a world of imaginative adventures and cultural discovery. Each book within the series encourages creativity and exploration, fostering a love of reading while subtly reinforcing essential life lessons and positive character traits. Beyond the books themselves, I actively engage with students through interactive school readings, aiming to ignite a lifelong passion for literature. The “Silly Nomads” offers a unique opportunity to introduce students to a different culture, enriching their understanding of the world and fostering empathy and appreciation for diverse perspectives. I look forward to sharing my childhood adventures with you and your students.

I take the students through my entire creative process from inspiration to finished book. I demonstrate student-friendly strategies to get ideas, combining one's life and imagination, and then how to develop those ideas. I tailor each program to the age group to whom I'm presenting. I also draw in each program, showing tips and techniques to make drawing easier and more enjoyable. The students leave my presentation inspired and empowered to write and illustrate. Virtual programs also available.

Arts for Learning WNY'S mission is to inspire, expand learning, and strengthen our community through engagement with the arts. We offer assembly, workshop, and long-term residency programs with professional artists, committed to their craft, and using it as a tool for creative learning. Art forms include music, multi-media arts, theater, dance, and visual and literary arts. Services are provided in the eight counties of Western New York, including Allegany, Cattaraugus, Chautauqua, Erie, Genesee, Niagara, Orleans, and Wyoming.m

At Relevant Speakers Newtwork, we partner with only the nation's best youth communicators. All our presenters have been hand selected and fully vetted to ensure you have a successful and impactful event. No matter your topic, timeline or budget, we can help you find a speaker who is a perfect fit to meet and exceed your goals.

Imagine a world where math isn’t just a classroom subject, but an exciting, laugh-filled adventure. Welcome to the Mathical Mystery Tour, a brand new, innovative assembly show designed to turn math into an action-packed experience for kids. We’re not just talking about numbers and equations; we’re blending puzzles, stunts, games, and magic tricks to make math come alive, right before their eyes. On stage, 12 students become the stars as they dive into stunts, solve puzzles, and perform tricks that reinforce their classroom lessons. This isn’t just entertainment; it’s a powerful K-5 educational tool aligned with the elementary school math curriculum. Each activity is crafted to teach math terminology, concepts, and proven theories in a way that’s engaging and unforgettable. The Mathical Mystery Tour is more than an elementary assembly show; it’s a revolution in how we teach math. By intertwining education with excitement, we’re inspiring a generation to see the magic in math. This is guaranteed to ignite curiosity and foster a love for learning in every student! Learning, Fun and Laughter – All in One! School assemblies are designed to provide students with an opportunity to learn something new, get inspired and be entertained. Without a doubt, it’s no easy task to capture the attention of a whole school, but The Mathical Mystery Tour does it with remarkable ease. If you’re looking for a school assembly show that will bring students together and leave them with tears of laughter, then look no further than this amazing assembly show!

Empowered Educator provides professional development that supports the social and emotional well-being of the adults in schools. As arts teachers, you know that SEL is inherent in the work you do. However, the well-being of your program is dependent on the well-being of its educators. Empowered Educator programs give teachers practical strategies for stress relief, time management, energy efficiency, advocacy and emotional intelligence so you can make the massive impact you want to make for your students and your school communities. As a former music teacher, Jen Rafferty tailors Empowered Educator programming to be relevant, accessible, and meaningful for fine arts teachers.

Mark offers a unique variety of entertaining, interactive, & educational assemblies, class workshops, & artist in residencies. Assemblies include: "America's musical traditions", "Books that sing" (PARP), Earth Day, "Multicultural holiday show", "field day shows & activities, and 'family concert. workshops include: "instrument experience', "tunes for spoons", "instrument building", "traditional American country dance", and "songwriting". instruments include: guitar, banjo, fiddle, hammered dulcimer. mountain dulcimer, & spoons.

Daniel Carlton is a multiple award-winning actor, storyteller, playwright, poet, lyricist, director, and teaching artist. His performances and workshops, for practically every age level, address a vast variety of topics including poetry, storytelling, history through drama, life skills through dramatic role plays, and so much more. He is also a published author. Recent performances include productions of “Finding North”(with David Gonzalez) and “The Meeting”, in addition to seventeen Off-Broadway productions, multiple solo shows, and performances with the Children of War Theater Project. Directing credits include “Jabari Dreams of Freedom” (New Victory Theater NYC, National tour), “Hero: Boy From Troy" (First Woman Productions.National Tour), “48 Hours in Harlem" (Harlem 9 Theater Co.), “Freedom Riders” (Mad River Theater Works), and “What If” (Negro Ensemble Company). An enthusiastic creator of new works, Daniel wrote and directed the national tour of “Keep Marching” (Mad River Theater Works), “March On” (Apollo Theater), “Pigfoot Mary Says Goodbye To The Harlem Renaissance” (Schomburg Center For Research and Black Culture), “Night Train 57” (Kennedy Center workshop), and “Freedom Flight” (national tour), as well as penning “A Whistle in Mississippi”, (with Micheal Green )“Check Yo Invite Parts 1 and 2”( Live Theater and Radio Play HarlemStage) and “Timeless Journeys (various tours)”. With Nambi E. Kelley, he also co-wrote “Hidden Inside”, “This Ability”, and “So Journey To The Truth”. Daniel’s work as a Storyteller has been presented in places as varied as Summerstage Kids and Family Series( Parks throughout the 5 boroughs), The Museum For The City Of NY, The Brooklyn Museum, The BrooklynChildren’s Museum, hundred of libraries, schools, temporary housing facilities, and even war zones. Solo Storytelling For Family audiences shows Include:The Eagle in Harlem and Other Tales.” Urban “Folktales Remixed” Memories of Self Journey To Weeksville, and many more. Daniel teaches acting to all ages, poetry for both the page and performance , life skills, public speaking, playwriting ,and devised theater for organizations that include : Apollo Theater Education , Alvin Ailey Dance Foundation, Community Works, Blackberry Productions, MadRiver Theater Works, YAFFA Performing Arts, JazzMobile, CityParks Foundation , First Woman Productions , NYU, University Of Iowa, and many more. Daniel can perform solo or, depending on budget, in duo or trio format. There are other videos on YouTube. Here's video of an interview explaining the Finding North project he performs with David Gonzalez. Daniel can perform this solo. https://youtu.be/uj7KZ4SF4nQ?si=qSk4SjB7cLr9hqFv Daniel has several other shows which we can send you information about upon request.

Dear School District Administrators and Educators, As both a lifelong musician and a proud product of our public school music programs, I’m passionate about bringing real-world music industry experiences into classrooms across New York State. I’ve had the privilege of working with many districts to design exciting, hands-on programs that inspire creativity, connect to STEAM principles, and align directly with state learning standards. My Music Industry Programs combine songwriting, instrument design and repair, live performance, and recording arts—giving students the opportunity to create, innovate, and explore the many sides of the modern music world. Using tools like 3D printers, CNC machines, and digital audio workstations, students connect engineering, math, technology, and art while building instruments, writing songs, and learning to play. These programs encourage collaboration, problem-solving, and self-expression—skills that reach far beyond music class and into every academic subject. As an educator and professional musician, I’ve shared the stage with legendary artists including Walter Trout, Mike Zito, Dickey Betts (Allman Bros.), Tommy Castro, Blackberry Smoke, Levon Helm (The Band), and Arlo Guthrie. I’ve toured with the Masters of the Telecaster (featuring G.E. Smith (SNL), Jim Weider, and Duke Levine (Bob Dylan)), received recognition from the Louis Armstrong Jazz Foundation, Berklee School of Music, and won Best Blues Recording from the Syracuse Area Music Awards two years in a row. I’ve also performed at major events like the NYS Blues Festival, Taste of Country Festival, Chenango Blues Festival, and countless sold-out venues across the region. Beyond performing, I’m deeply invested in arts education and community development. I’m the founder of a thriving Music School in Norwich, NY, serve on the Board of the Earlville Opera House, and act as Main Stage Music Coordinator for the Colorscape Chenango Arts & Music Festival. I also co-founded the Oxford Academy Summer Theater & Performing Arts Camp, Founder of the Norwich Youth Bureau Summer Guitar Camp and provide specialized backline support for touring artists—all of which help connect students to authentic, working examples of the music industry. Music is not just for the music classroom—it enhances literacy, history, math, science, and emotional intelligence. I believe every student deserves the chance to discover their creative voice, and I’d love to collaborate with your district to design a personalized, engaging, and unforgettable program for your students. Let’s create something extraordinary together!

I offer folk & traditional, Adirondack, and personal stories. My focus tends to be on caring for the world and those human and more-than-human who dwell therein.

Discover the fascinating world of Native American folklore, respect for nature and a sense of family, community and caring for the land. Marty Hight shares her stories about beliefs held deeply sacred and get an inside look at how the Native Americans world changed as their land was taken and they were forced to march to a new and strange land. Or, learn how to craft corn husk dolls and hear the story about her creation. Marty invites your students to help illustrate her stories, demonstrate dances and celebrates their special gifts. In this school assembly, history comes alive as stories told for centuries are shared in an engaging way to impart character lessons and tribal history. It’s ideal for Grades K-6. TOPICS INCLUDE: HISTORY • CULTURE • STORYTELLING • SINGING • NATURE • TRADITIONS • DIVERSITY • LANGUAGE • CRAFTS • AND MORE! Marty Hight (Ma-ha-gum-se / Shawnee) is a Native American who has a Cherokee and Shawnee heritage. She is a proud member of the Cherokee Nation of Oklahoma who draws from family history and storytelling to share her people’s history, language, songs, customs, rituals and legends through vivid narratives. Reach out today to learn how you can join in the excitement when you host Marty Hight!

Author Ben Mikaelsen He does Zoom/Skype/Google Meet sessions 30-45 mins for $250.00. He does an introduction of himself and then talks about the book the students are reading and then opens it up for Q & A.