Welcome to the Statewide Art and Enrichment Roster, Hosted by CiTi BOCES
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This directory of artists, presenters and vendors is for contact information only. Please note that all
approvals are determined by individual BOCES and/or District criteria and do not guarantee acceptance of
proposed contracts.
MS Dance
At MS Dance, we are dedicated to providing enriching dance classes that celebrate the joy of movement, fitness, and social dance skills. Our thoughtfully designed curriculum promotes a dynamic and engaging learning environment where students of all ages can explore dance in a fun, knowledgeable, and structured manner.
Through our classes, we aim to pursue body awareness, strength, and flexibility, incorporating a variety of exercises including stretching, high-energy movement, etiquette drills, and team-building activities.
We strive to create a safe and supportive space where every BODY can unleash their creativity, enhance their self-expression, and develop teamwork skills. With the MS Dance Program, we believe in the transformative power of dance to inspire confidence and encourage lasting friendships, making every lesson a memorable experience.
Taikoza is a Japanese Taiko drum group that uses the powerful rhythms of the Taiko drums to create an electrifying energy that carries audiences in a new dimension of excitement. The Taiko is a large, barrel-like drum that can fill the air with rolling thunder. Drawing from Japan's rich tradition of music and performance, Taikoza has created a new sound using a variety of traditional instruments. In addition, the Taiko Taikoza incorporates bamboo flutes. Taikoza has performed in Europe and Asia. Taikoza appeared on the History Channel and “The Last Samurai “DVD set. Taikoza presents a unique and exciting program using Japanese Taiko drums (weighing 200lb drums) and bamboo flutes. The program will take you on an unforgettable journey through Japan. It will take students to different areas and through the seasons of Japan.
Students will be experiencing a new culture in a fun and exciting way, they will get a chance to see and at times touch the ancestral drums. The taiko drum can touch everyone with its thunderous sounds and vibrations. Taikoza hopes to open the student’s eyes to the richness of Japanese culture and spark an interest. We hope that this will spark an interest in other world cultures. Taiko has been associated with many aspects of Japanese culture since ancient times. It is said that Taiko was used to drive away the plague and evil spirits. In the Shinto religion, it was used to call upon and entertain the gods, or kami, and in Japanese Buddhism, its sound was the manifestation of the voice of the Buddha.
Taikoza’s programs can be tailored to your school’s needs and interests. In a performance by Taikoza your students may experience:
They will hear and see taiko songs. Taiko is often compared to martial arts, as the drums are played very physically using sticks that resemble baseball bats.
They will hear songs played on the bamboo flutes.
Some will get to play on the drums and interact with the performers.
Jared Campbell is an award winning singer/songwriter from Upstate New York and has been traveling the country performing for thousands of people and hundreds of schools over the past 18 years.
He’s shared the stage with national acts and had his music featured on TV shows. He’s also been acknowledged by Billboard Magazine as one of the top independent musicians in the northeast.
His school presentation is unlike any other assembly you will bring in to your school. He reaches students through the power of music with songs he's written about some of the most crucial elements to living out your life with purpose. His message focuses on overcoming obstacles, bully prevention, respect, leadership and having an amazing outlook on life. His approach in relating to students is unlike any other presenter you will see. He mixes humor with deep emotion and literally takes the listener inside his songs through the use of powerful videos that are projected behind him during the show. Students continually walk into the show saying "I thought this was going to be just another dumb assembly" and have left the show routinely saying "In all four years of high school....this has been the best assembly ever!" - Maria 12th grade. There's plenty of humor as Jared constantly gets compared to the likes of Jack Black and you could say Jared's conducting a "School of Rock" but this school is meant to rock your life! Jared's heart is to reach the young people of today and encourage them to never stop dreaming and continue pushing forward to living out your purpose with passion!
Author visit with Stephen Swinburne
Hello!
It is my pleasure to recommend author Stephen Swinburne for an author visit to your school. Trust me, you will be so pleased that you have.
I have been booking authors for the past 20 years in my career as a librarian and can honestly say that Steve is one of the most engaging authors that you will ever book. All of my teachers love his visits and compare all other authors to Steve.
Students will be so enthralled in his session and will not want to leave. If I financially could book Steve for my school every year, I would. There are five other elementary schools in my district and they all feel the same way. I know from experience that some authors are fabulous writers but unfortunately lacking in their presentations - Steve is not one of them.
Booking Steve for your school is a win for you - your staff will love him. If you have any questions, please feel free contact me. Best wishes and enjoy your visit with Steve!
Sincerely,
Leslie Balzano
lbalzano@trumbullps.org
Teacher-Librarian
Middlebrook Elementary School
220 Middlebrooks Avenue
Trumbull, CT 06611
Kit's Interactive Theatre has 16 different high-energy shows that combine history, dance, music, improvisation and a great deal of humor where students and teachers become all the characters in the show.
Students learn how their modern lives differ from those of their forebears as they explore how and why these critical events took shape.
Programs are imaginative, educational and fun! They range from Ancient Egypt and Women's Rights to Mother Nature and Cinderella's Fairy Godmother.
We offer educational programming for school groups of all ages, focusing on the natural and cultural history of the Finger Lakes! Much of our programming involves an opportunity for students to get out on the waters of Keuka Lake in our kayak fleet. From learning about glaciers and the formation of the Finger Lakes, to water quality and benthic macroinvertebrates, we offer hands-on experiences that get kids outside! All of our programming aligns with New York State learning standards.
A inspirational/ motivational true story how I am overcoming a Traumatic Brain Injury after a pedestrian car accident. Healing from a Traumatic Brain Injury isn't a straight line, it is a series of loops, setbacks, and hard-won victories. My story is one that shows that not giving up is not only an action, it shows sheer strength of the human spirit.
I coordinate Onondaga Lake education experiences for elementary and middle school students. The lake field trips involve hands-on learning stations that include fishing, water quality testing, a nature walk to learn about the ecosystem, a local history lesson related to Onondaga Lake, and an integrated art project.
Actor, singer and storyteller Lou Del Bianco has been performing for audiences of all ages since 1982. According to the New York Times, Lou’s dramatic approach to storytelling “puts pow into passivity!” The Parents Choice foundation states that “few performers excel as both storyteller and musician, but Lou Del Bianco is one who does.” Lou’s PARENTS CHOICE award winning recordings have garnered high praise from Billboard Magazine, NAPPA, T.V. GUIDE, BOOKLIST, CHILD Magazine, Family Fun and others!
Lou has performed all over the country, from the Tastes of Chicago to the Kravis Center to Carnegie Hall. His music video, “A Little Bit Clumsy”, was featured on the Learning Channel. He has traveled the Northeast for 30 years, performed in San Diego at the International Reading Association’s annual convention and served as keynote speaker on arts / character education from North Carolina to Massachusetts.
Lou has been an artist-in-residence since 1987 and has worked in many schools alongside teachers to help improve literacy in the classroom. His Around the World and Make a Good Choice! one man shows have reached thousands of elementary school children all over the tri-state area.
At 6’4”, Lou’s portrayal of Abraham Lincoln has been endorsed by the Lincoln Bicentennial Commission. He has also been the go to “Lincoln” for THE TONIGHT SHOW with Jimmy Fallon. Jimmy loves Abe
Lou’s grandfather, Luigi, was the chief carver on Mount Rushmore and was honored by TLC’s CAKE BOSS. His one man show about his grandfather was performed to rave reviews at Mount Rushmore. On September 16, 2017, a plaque was unveiled at Rushmore honoring Luigi’s unique contribution. Lou’s 25 year journey to get Luigi recognized culminated with a CBS SUNDAY MORNING story as well as the publication of Lou’s award winning book, “Out of Rushmore’s Shadow”. CNN historian Douglas Brinkley says this groundbreaking book “…turns orthodox history on its head.” Since then, Luigi’s unique role has been featured on several prime time TV shows like “The UnXplained” with William Shatner and “Ancient Aliens”.
From History to Diversity to Social Emotional Learning, Lou offer a wide range of programs for elementary and middle schools.
Author, speaker, and youth mover, Brandon Lee White has motivated roughly half a million youth in 48 states over the past 15 years. He helps students take ownership of living a better life from the inside out. He teaches character education, leadership, mental health, anti-bullying, and more. Born unable to speak, Brandon shares his journey from outcast to school president, and in some speeches, he shares his story about his 6-year battle with depression and being an “unmotivated motivational speaker.” Brandon has been seen on TLC, Discovery Health, Fit TV, and TEDx.
1. Super Students (45 min speech)(Grades K-2, 3-5)
Everyone loves superheroes, but students don’t know how to apply that to their lives. Super Students teaches students that you don’t need super powers to be a Super Student, just super choices. Brandon teaches how to be courageous and have character regarding bullying, leadership, mental health and making positive/healthy choices. Lots of interaction, humor, and impact! Your entire school and even the teachers will love this presentation!
2. Own It! (45 min speech)(Grades 3-12)
Ownership starts with having a clear vision of who you are, what you want, and how hard you’re willing to work. Brandon shares his struggles including mental health and bullying, and then points to the leaders and decisions that turned it all around. Expect lots of funny crowd interaction, thought-provoking examples, moving stories, and a powerful spoken word presentation. Students leave with a new sense of ownership in life and leadership and the motivation to make it happen.
3. Know Your Line (45 min speech)(Grades 4-12)
Substance abuse can destroy potential. Goals, dreams, and lives can be ruined through addiction, accidents, and destructive choices. Brandon presents this topic with a balance of fun and seriousness while helping them know their line in which they won’t cross
4. Let It Move (45-60 min interactive workshop)(Grades 4-12)
Participants learn leadership through ballroom dance. Positive communication, risk-taking, teamwork, goal-setting, and discipline are all covered in a way that will stick in your memory. It’s a fun and educational way to “break the ice” and get youth moving. This workshop can include total crowd participation or select volunteers depending upon request and space availability. (Maximum occupancy contingent upon space and sound equipment)
A successful author visit doesn’t just happen. It takes a lot of hard work, organization, and continued communication. Booked Authors ensures you achieve a successful and impactful author visit – every single time. With years of orchestrating successful author visits and their corresponding book sales, we know how to coordinate the best author experience for your students. Working with more than 75 children's authors, we strive to ensure you host the best option for a successful author visit experience for your students!
Kriztix Art brings hands-on painting workshops to grades 6–12. Teaching artist Kristofer McDermott has spent more than 20 years as a painter, muralist and illustrator, and every session is built so students leave with a finished piece they're proud of.
Workshops:
- Halloween Emoji Monster Faces: two days with acrylic paint and paint markers, covering color mixing, value, shadow and highlight. Designed for a full grade of 130 ninth graders.
- Spray Can Painting: a one-day workshop. Students start with stencil work using a single shared spray can stencil, then paint it in acrylic on an 8x10 in canvas panel, learning shape, shading, highlights and bold color.
Every workshop offers stencil-assisted drawing, so beginners can skip the anxiety of drawing freehand and get a clean pencil outline. That lets them focus on learning to paint. Students who prefer to draw freehand are always welcome to.
Optional materials upgrade: Kristofer can bring premium acrylic paint markers and other professional-grade supplies, giving students access to materials most classrooms don't have.
Have a theme, unit or idea in mind? Kristofer also designs custom workshops around teacher proposals.
Programs align with the NYS Learning Standards for the Arts (Creating, Presenting, Responding, Connecting), with a focus on color theory, design and personal expression. Sessions run from a single class period to multi-day residencies. Kristofer provides lesson plans, reference sheets and student handouts, and plans materials with each teacher.
Classroom needs: a projector or screen that can play videos from YouTube or a USB drive or memory card.