We offer engaging author visits to schools and organizations, either virtually or in person with our author(s) and book character(s). Each 45-minute assembly is designed for students in Pre-K through 4th grade and includes a read-aloud from a book of your choice, interactive storytelling with music, games, and lively discussion. Students will also have access to discounted pricing on books. These read-aloud sessions aren’t just entertaining—they’re educational. They help motivate children to read, strengthen their comprehension, expand vocabulary, and introduce language patterns not typically heard in everyday conversation. Students are encouraged to make meaningful connections between the stories and their own lives, making reading both fun and relevant.

The Music Hall is committed to supporting arts education in our schools and throughout our community. By offering free and discounted performances for students, outreach opportunities with artists and masterclasses, we help to leverage our creative assets to make a difference in the lives of children and adults of all ages. Unison: Student & Families Membership Program The Music Hall is committed to welcoming all people into our performance space to enjoy the arts. The Unison Student & Families Program is designed to bring all members of the community together to enjoy the varied musical performances we present throughout the season by providing free seats to qualifying students and families. Learn more about the Unison Program here. School and District Partnerships The Music Hall works with teaching artists throughout the community to bring hundreds of arts enrichment, interactive programming into schools each year. The Music Hall is committed to integrating the arts into academic curricula, and works to design workshops that best serve our partnering educators in the classroom. Arts-Integrated Learning Approach The Music Hall values student engagement in a creative process that connects the arts to their academic studies. We provide a wide variety of arts programming to create inclusive and responsive learning opportunities in schools and at our venue. Artist Masterclasses and Workshops We strive to provide as many opportunities as possible for students of all ages to work with local and world-renowned artists. Students cultivate their skills and build valuable artistic experiences through the varied workshops and classes we offer each year. Connecting the Arts to the Classroom The Arts Matter! Live performances and interactive learning experiences give students the opportunity to be inspired, to create, and reflect. These fundamental experiences enrich students' academic studies; to equip students with the foundations for achievement both inside and outside the classroom by developing their creative capacity, thinking skills, and knowledge essential for lifelong success. Our Educational Performance Series, workshops, and matinee shows connect with classroom Academic Standards to allow educators the opportunity for scaffolding the student learning process. Teaching Artist Workshops: The Music Hall values the support of students and educators in our community by providing performing arts learning opportunities. Our exclusive Teaching Artist programs feature local artists and various arts organizations who, in collaboration with the Music Hall, work to provide artistic enrichment to teach and inspire a lifelong appreciation for the arts. By providing varied educational programming to the Capital Region, we strive to inspire meaningful learning, interactive exploration of the arts, and memorable experiences for students of all ages. Educational Performances & Activities at the Hall The Troy Savings Bank Music Hall is committed to supporting arts education in our schools and throughout our community. By offering free and discounted performances for students, outreach opportunities with artists and masterclasses, we help to leverage our creative assets to make a difference in the lives of children and adults of all ages. 2024-2025 Student Activities & Performances Thursday, March 27, 2025 11AM Frida Kahlo and the Bravest Niña in el Mundo Composer: Joe Illick, Librettist: Mark Campbell Program Date: Thursday, March 27, 2025 Program Time: Doors Open: 10:30a, Performance: 11:00a-12:00p 45 minute program with 5-10 minute Q&A at the end Short Summary: Frida Kahlo and the Bravest Niña in el Mundo is an interactive children’s opera composed by Joe Illick with libretto written by Mark Campbell. The story is about Mariana, a young girl living in Mexico City in the late 1940s. Mariana’s family encourages her to have her portrait painted by the renowned artist, Frida Kahlo. Mariana is initially frightened, but is emboldened and charmed by Kahlo, the animals in her household including a monkey, a parrot and a dog, and a visit by the exuberant artist Diego Rivera. As Mariana sits for her portrait, she learns all about Frida’s life, and begins to understand the meaning of bravery. The opera is appropriate for ages 5-11. $5 Tickets. Student Pricing to Mainstage Performances Interested in bringing your class to a mainstage performance at the Troy Savings Bank Music Hall! Many of our shows throughout the season have exclusive student pricing: Date & Time Performance Tickets Tuesday, February 4 Troy Chromatic Concerts presents Steven Isserlis, Cello Recital *pre-concert activity: Prelude Conversations $15 Student Tickets Sunday, March 9 APM: Considering Matthew Shepard $15 Student Tickets Friday, March 22 Direct from Sweden: The Music of ABBA $15 Student Tickets Thursday, March 27 [STUDENT MATINEE] Frida Kahlo and the Bravest Nina in el mundo $5 Tickets Wednesday, March 26 Big Bad Voodoo Daddy $15 Student Tickets Friday, March 28 Gaelic Storm $20 Student Tickets Ordering Tickets: Call or email Jessica Bowen, Director of Education & Outreach with your request. (518) 479-9623 or jessica@troymusichall.org Payment Payment is accepted by check, major credit card or BOCES purchase order and is due no later than 14 days in advance of each show. Reservations not paid by the 14-day deadline will be canceled. Changes and cancellations No refunds or exchanges will be made after the 14-day deadline. We cannot guarantee seating for additional students if the show is sold out, but will accommodate as best we can to ensure all students have a seat at the show! Please be sure to reserve seating for all teachers and chaperones in addition to students. If your school district is closed or dismisses early due to weather, a credit will be issued to your account for the cost of your tickets. Communication regarding cancellation must be received by our box office prior to the performance. ADA Accommodations Please advise the Troy Savings Bank Music Hall of accessible seating needs when the order is place so we can make arrangements prior to your arrival. Interested in learning more about educational opportunities for your students? Please Contact Jessica Bowen, Director of Education & Outreach at jessica@troymusichall.org or call (518) 629 - 4016. ETUDE Student Volunteer Program REGISTRATION FOR 2024-2025 is NOW OPEN! Click the link below to register. Etude participants develop the skills needed for today’s workforce while engaging in a fun, fast-paced work environment. Participating students will work amongst event staff team at performances throughout our season. Students involved in this year’s Etude Volunteer Program will have opportunities to participate in many more of the departments on site including: Box Office and Ticketing House Management and Merchandise Stage Crew and Backstage Sound and Lighting Front of House and Seating The Etude Program is a great way to explore different career paths in the arts. Join us! All registered students must attend an ORIENTATION before their first volunteer session. This is included in the arrival times for your first show, which you'll find on the sign up form below. Eligible students in Grades 9 - 12 and/or undergraduate students will: Fulfill community service credits; Enhance their resume with valuable experience; Pursue the development of personal and professional skills; Explore varying career paths in the arts.

Hi, I just wrote my first children's book about adventures that my twins with Down syndrome will take you on. This particular story is fiction. The Adventures of Danika and Dalilah: To the Moon with Casey June. Casey is my oldest daughter who prepares her sisters for a trip. I read this to a group of students where I teach, they loved it! In the story I touch upon my girls have Down syndrome, and hearing loss. They also use ASL as a way to communicate. I will read the story and present my power point. Thank you, Dionne Carpenter

The best way to engage your students is through our captivating BMX assembly. The Freestyle Connection’s school assembly program combines BMX stunts with powerful messages about bicycle safety, striving for excellence, embracing a drug-free healthy lifestyle, and the importance of staying in school. Designed for events like Red Ribbon Week, Field Days, Family Nights, or any occasion calling for a dynamic Character Education message or PBIS School Assembly, this outdoor program is unmatched. Give your school a show they will never forget! The Freestyle Connection BMX school assembly show involves ramp riding on a portable box jump and flatland ground moves for trick variations. Riders will switch on the microphone throughout the show which is choreographed to exciting music and incorporates BMX stunts, high-flying tricks, and humorous skits. This BMX show is roughly 40 minutes long. Indoor backup plan required for inclement weather.

I offer two one-person plays (one about Langston Hughes the other about Dr. King) and one poetry reading from my award-winning poetry collection Boneyarn, the only book of poems about slavery in New York City, where the oldest and largest slave cemetery in the United States is located. In conjunction with any of the above presentations, I have thematically related writing workshops so students can have their own creative experience to go along with my presentations. Below are descriptions of the three shows. I also give talks about the Harlem Renaissance, Jazz Trumpeter Louis Armstrong, and Tuskegee Airman Harry Stewart Jr, who was part of the first group of African-American military pilots who fought in World War II. Below are descriptions of the Langston Hughes, Dr. King and Boneyarn presentations. DAVID MILLS PRESENTATIONS 1) The Dreamweaver: Langston Hughes Performance and Creative Writing Workshop What better way to celebrate Harlem Renaissance writer Langston Hughes—affectionately known as “Shakespeare in Harlem”—than to have students see a dramatic 45-minute presentation about Langston Hughes. Actor David Mills, (whose Hughes show was voted the #4 young-adult show in the nation by The American Library Association) does just that. He takes students on a theatrical odyssey of Hughes’ life spanning six decades from his humble Missouri childhood to his days living in Harlem as an adult. Mr. Mills also captures Hughes’ world travels and writing of his classic poems, such as “The Negro Speaks of Rivers,” “Mother to Son,” “I, Too,” “Montage of a Dream Deferred” and “Madam Alberta K.” While playing black and white, young, old, and male and female characters, Mr. Mills captures Hughes’ unending love for Harlem—with its foibles and fantasies, bruises and beauty. Mr. Mills show also explores how Hughes wrote nearly 50 plays. A Q&A would follow the presentation. Mr. Mills could also conduct a writing workshop using a Hughes blues poem as a model. 2) Dare to Dream: Dr. King Performance and Creative Writing Workshop In a 45-minute, dramatic presentation for an auditorium of students and teachers, actor David Mills would take the audience on an engaging, historic journey, where they witness Dr. King go from a young preacher (with uncertainties about Civil Rights during the Montgomery Bus Boycott) into the nationally-recognized figure he became during the 1963 March on Washington. Mr. Mills’ stirring performance looks at Dr. King as both the public figure and private man. Be roused, be inspired, be transported by “Dare to Dream,” Mr. Mills’ theatrical tribute to Dr. King. A Q&A would follow the performance. Mr. Mills has worked as a teaching artist and performer for over 20 years in schools, universities, and senior centers. So, in conjunction with the performance Mr. Mills can also lead a 45-minute creative writing workshop, in a smaller classroom setting, using Dr. King’s iconic “Letter from a Birmingham Jail” as a writing prompt. This workshop will get students to write poems in the forms of letters that relate to their lives. Talking to the Bones: Poetry reading about slavery in New York City and Creative Writing Workshop. Award-winning-poet David Mills would read from his collection, Boneyarn, winner of the North American Book Award and the only poetry collection about slavery in New York City, where the oldest and largest slave cemetery in the United States is located. Mr. Mills would conduct a 45-minute reading to an auditorium and use projected visuals to give attendees a sense of 17th-19th century New York. Mr. Mills would discuss the research and writing process that went into creating this groundbreaking book, where he weds little-known colonial history and poetry. What lessons can be learned from coupling these two disciplines. The reading would also be followed by a Q&A. Mr. Mills has worked as a teaching artist and performer for over 20 years in schools. Therefore, in conjunction with the reading, Mr. Mills can lead a 45-minute creative writing workshop that uses a question-and-answer form from his book Boneyarn to get students to write their own poems reflecting on slavery in New York City.

Nurture fun, character, wellness, reading, STEAM, and more with The UP Guys! Nels Ross and Richie Derwald uplift and empower through elementary, middle, and high school assemblies as well as staff development. They have shared 2500+ solo or duo programs to rave reviews from schools, arts centers, libraries, recreation, museums, and others. Applying their diverse training in theater, variety arts, music, and education, they promote laughter and learning! See www.theupguys.com/teaching-artists for more.

Arithmetickles is an interactive Math Game show that uses audience participation and comedy in fast-paced math segments to capture the attention of students in grades K-8. Arithmetickles makes math jump off the page and onto the stage and changes how kids think of math! Arithmetickles includes Interactive Math Theater Games, Funny Number Puzzles, Creative Quizzes, Problem Solving, Mental Math and Witty Logic. Arithmetickles doesn’t aim to teach math but to make it so cool (and so much fun) that students will want to learn it.

Introducing Beginner Origami w/John Collins – A 45 minute STEAM enrichment program to get your students folding and learning a new art form: Origami. Beginner Origami includes a brief history, some amazing examples, a little math, a little science and a whole lot of folding (three models). Origami is great for memorization skills, small motor coordination, eye-hand coordination, direction following, 3D visualization, and creative engagement. Created by The Paper Airplane Guy, a world famous author, presenter and STEAM educator with more than 30 years of school and corporate presentations; Beginner Origami will get your students folding right away. The wide range of models shown will wow them, as well as motivate them to get busy folding.

An agency devoted to bringing award-winning children’s authors and illustrators to you through school and library visits, conferences and festivals, and special events. It is our goal to make your events spectacular. To take the hassle out of the event planning. To create an environment where authors and illustrators do what they do best, inspire.

Black Girls Don't Get Love is a book and multimedia coming of age brand for girls of color. Our mission is to use media to turn silence into language and change the way Black women and girls are perceived in society. Our non-Profit arm, Black Girls WILL Get Love, Inc. facilitates all of our philanthropic Programs such as the acclaimed Black Girls Don't Get Love Prom, the Black Girls Don't Get Love Slumber Party, the Black Girls Don't Get Love Outdoor Exploration, the Black Girls Don't Get Love Film Training Program and the black girls don't get love screenwriting workshops and labs. Our programs are a creative and engaging approach to addressing DEI and low literacy rates.

Hi There! I’m an Author-Illustrator of Graphic Novels, Picture Books and Recycled Art Building Books for grades K-8. You can book a Workshop, Assembly OR create an immersive “Comics" or "Steam Invention Day” for students with guided sessions and worksheets. TOPICS INCLUDE: • Creating CHARACTERS for Comics • Building STEAM Projects from Recyclables • Tips and Techniques for GRAPHIC NOVELS • My Work Process from IDEA to Story to BOOK Students will learn my journey from childhood artist to the published author and illustrator of seven books. Brian Yanish Children’s Author / Illustrator / Maker *2023 NYSCATE Student STEAM Fest KEYNOTE Speaker ————————————————— “You will not find a more talented and collaborative presenter for your next author visit or Maker Space today.“ -Tammy Pulver, SLMS, Lima Primary School, Lima, NY

Caravan to Cairo transports you to the exotic realms of the Arabian Nights, bringing you authentic unique folkloric dances from North Africa to the Middle East. This delightful dance journey through the Near East, choreographed by Samara, one of today’s finest international performers of Middle Eastern dance, offers a diversity of engaging styles and rhythms, lavish, colorful costumes, and a charming story theater adaptation of a timeless Arabic folktale. A brief, participatory dancing instruction and a Q&A session round off the entertainment. This program can also provide artist workshops and residencies in addition to classroom teaching.