We offer programs by Joseph Bruchac, whose books for young readers have been adopted by the NYS curriculum and may be be found in virtually every school library nationwide. For the last 40 years he has been a popular visiting author at schools throughout New York State and the nation. Dr Bruchac’s visits may include traditional Native American music and storytelling and relate directly to themes of environmental awareness, respect for others, and conflict resolution. Programs can be individually tailored to the needs of the school, focus on one or more of his books, or be more general in nature. He also offers workshops in writing poetry and in storytelling. He may also be accompanied—at no extra cost other than food and lodging—by his son Jesse Bruchac, musician, storyteller, film writer and linguist, who is the founder and Director of the School of Abenaki at Middlebury College.

Have you noticed in your young ladies the same thing Miss Coco Flamenco has noticed – how pre-teen and teen girls shrink inside – and overcompensate outside – while the boys just… don’t? And when there’s a phone camera involved, have you noticed the stark difference between the girls’ self-conscious primping and the boys’ in-your-face pomp? Enter The Flamaze Girls – Preciosa and Danielle – played by Miss Coco Flamenco herself! Watch in flamazement as your young ladies open up to the hilarity/honesty, the grace/guts, the Flamenco moves/freedom grooves. Miss Coco brings her 30 years of stewarding young ladies into adulthood, through her time as professor, department chair, and choreographer. She has seen joyful transformations happen within the space of a single show – countless students have started watching her show with arms crossed and that “fake-bored-girl” face… only to rush to the stage afterwards for a hug and an autograph. And perhaps a blurted-out, “I used to dance, too!” Or “When are you coming back?” Or simply, “Thank you, Miss Coco.” Your young ladies will EMBRACE their betrayer bodies and UNLEASH their sensitive souls within the time-tested safe space created by the ancient, powerful, confident women of Flamenco, and under the careful guidance of Miss Coco Flamenco herself – with the dance moves and spoken word of everyone’s newest friends, Preciosa and Danielle, of course! 7th grade girls get sulky faced – clap-clip-clap-and-stomp, they erase. 8th grade girls get crossed arms – clap-clip-clap-and-stomp, they harm. Un-flamazing girls get nutsy, but! Flamaze girls? Stomp-stomp-stomp get GUTSY!

This Visiting Author Presentation focuses on disability acceptance & inclusion while connecting to the presenter's various children's books. By attending this program, students learn about different disabilities and the process of writing realistic fiction while becoming inspired to make a positive difference in their schools and communities. Great presentation for Autism Awareness Month (April) and Disability Awareness Month (October). Contact Author directly through her website for free Reading Guide. Amy also offers parent workshops related to raising a child with disabilities and understanding the unique needs of siblings.

Dedicated to creating art for young people, Daniel has performed over 2000 student performances throughout the country for the past 24 years with storyteller and poet, David Gonzalez and his own projects. An artist who has been called “stunningly original” with “a visionary imagination,” composer and pianist Daniel Kelly explores the meeting place of music with literature, visual art and journalism, captivating audiences across the country. Kelly’s music has been declared “powerfully moving” by Time Out New York. He has performed with GRAMMY-award winning jazz legends Michael Brecker and Joe Lovano, hip-hop star Lauryn Hill, cutting-edge modern classical The Bang on a Can All-Stars and a long list of jazz musicians such as NEA Jazz Masters Dave Liebman & Sheila Jordan, Don Byron, Donny McCaslin, Oliver Lake, Bobby Sanabria and many others. Kelly toured throughout Southeast Asia and India as a part of the Kennedy Center/US State Department-sponsored Jazz Ambassador program, has performed for the president of Costa Rica and at the Shangilia orphanage in the Kibera slums of Nairobi, Kenya. Dedicated to creating art for young people, he has performed over 2000 student performances throughout the country for the past 24 years with storyteller and poet, David Gonzalez and his own projects. He has also composed for chamber orchestra, string quartet, film and multimedia theater works. He has released five CDs of original compositions. YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@danielkelly Daniel has three shows along with study guides to offer schools, all of which are listed below: First: Half Note: Learning, Laughter, Music & The Mitten! Half Note: Learning, Laughter, Music & The Mitten! which is geared to Grades K-3 Webpage with promo video: https://www.danielkellymusic.com/school-family-shows Full show video - Half Note: Learning, Laughter, Music & The Mitten! https://vimeo.com/1024064858/15bdab6166?share=copy Google drive with full show video, endorsements, flyers: https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/15L3dSgyTKCse-Zyrzu0TwiQPpS8eVcgI?usp=sharing Description: What happens when a master musician meets a hapless fool – in ONE person? The answer is Half Note, the alter-ego of award-winning pianist/composer Daniel Kelly. In this 40-minute solo performance, Daniel brings the audience on an entertaining romp into his musical world - blending jazz, classical and pop music with physical comedy, musical storytelling and outrageous keyboard sounds. In the first part of the program, Daniel presents a musical-storytelling of the Ukrainian folktale, The Mitten, in which a boy loses a mitten in the woods and a series of animals squeeze into it, each one larger than the last. In Daniel's musical version, each animal has a musical theme that layers on top of one another - building up into a symphonic bang! A classically trained pianist-turned jazz musician, Daniel also presents an enlightening and joyful ride through the history of jazz music - from Scott Joplin to Duke Ellington and Miles Davis to hip-hop. Finally, Daniel uses technology (looping pedals and effects) to build a modern piece of music layer by layer, illustrating the elements of rhythm, harmony and melody. Members of the audience will have the opportunity to create loops and grooves at the microphone. A fan of Charlie Chaplin and Victor Borge, Daniel ties the program together with hilarious physical comedy gags that will delight audiences of all ages. Contact Sandra for study guide and to discuss options for your school. Second: Shakespeare in Jazz: All the World's a Song ~ Grades 3-8 - Can feature duo or trio performers Webpage with video, study guides, etc: https://www.danielkellymusic.com/all-the-worlds-a-song-shakespeare-in-jazz You’ve never experienced Shakespeare like this! A sensation in performing arts centers nationwide, this engaging & joyful jazz concert invites people of all ages to experience the magic of Shakespeare's timeless words set to memorable, original jazz songs by award-winning pianist Daniel Kelly & his stellar band - featuring an extraordinary jazz vocalist. Audiences are invited to sing along and are delighted that they have memorized some of Shakespeare's most famous lines in the process! Great for those discovering his plays for the first time and Shakespeare aficionados alike! Promo video: https://youtu.be/8yxfL0ufYQw?si=j6w3UpU6C6TIeFJA Full show: https://vimeo.com/586450010/a801c9eee5?share=copy Google drive with Shakespeare in Jazz endorsements, flyers, study guides: https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1hgGZHBBL_9HngU6YxC8Zt-mahAtJJAL0?usp=sharing Third: Interactive Concert for People with Special Needs - Grades 3-8 This is a solo show. Description: Daniel Kelly is an interactive music specialist and person-centered educator with extensive experience working one-on-one and in small group settings. His joyful, sensory-friendly concerts encourage spontaneous creativity and positive musical experiences for individuals with special needs, fostering community and celebrating each person's unique qualities. Contact Sandra for study guide and to discuss options for your school.

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.

Founded by artist, speaker, and author Tom Varano, Emotion Into Art™ offers one of the most unique and positive programs for K-12 schools nationwide. Tom creates stunning portraits of famous faces on a 4-foot by 5-foot canvas, set to music or the voice of the person he is painting. These portraits are completed in mere minutes, often upside down for an exciting reveal. His extensive catalog includes icons like Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., Walt Disney, Nelson Mandela, Kobe Bryant, Taylor Swift, Robin Williams, Rosa Parks, and many more. This captivating process keeps students and adults guessing the identity of each painting. Once a piece is completed, Tom shares the inspiring stories of these individuals, highlighting how they overcame adversity and hardship in their respective fields. He also uses personal anecdotes to further engage students and drive home key messages. The show is tailored to the age group, with younger students enjoying paintings of Disney characters or relatable figures. Tom collaborates closely with school staff to address relevant topics during the presentation, such as Dreaming Big, Overcoming Bullying, Using Trauma as a Force Forward, and Living with Passion. In addition to student performances, Tom also offers programs for staff convocations. These sessions encourage school staff to be their best, stay aware of burnout, and find ways to overcome challenges within the teaching field. Emotion Into Art™ is more than just a performance—it's an inspiring and educational experience that motivates both students and staff to dream big and live with passion. Emotion Into Art™ is an extremely unique Speed Painting/Inspirational speaking performance. This is a nationally recognized show with the goal of inspiring students of all ages to not only follow their dreams, but to follow their dreams with PASSION! The performance entertains and captures the students’ attention while the microphone allows Tom to speak a message of hope and encouragement into their lives.

Make the arts come alive for your students. Syracuse Stage’s education programs are a great way to inspire learning and connect with hearts and minds of all ages. From fully staged productions to targeted in-school performances, our educational offerings support and enhance language arts, social studies, history, STEM and art curricula. Custom in school workshops are available on multiple topics.

Built on the historic footprint of the terminus of the Erie Canal, Explore & More – The Ralph C. Wilson, Jr. Children’s Museum sits at the crossroads between canals and bridges that have become year-round community destinations on the city’s waterfront at Canalside. This totally unique location makes it the perfect place to learn about the region’s roots as an innovative port at the turn of the century, while using hands-on play to spark the imagination of the next generation of great minds. Now serving children birth-12 years of age, we have expanded our footprint as we also expand our reach. Our seven educational play zones offer hands-on exhibits that tell the unique story of Buffalo and what makes us proud to be from Western New York. The zones reveal stories of our region’s history, geography, culture, agriculture, architecture, athletics, commerce and innovation through exhibits that celebrate the power and benefits of play. Explore & More is the perfect place to learn about the region’s past roots with child-led and family friendly play that helps develop the whole child. These exhibits are located on the second, third and fourth floors. Explore & More Children’s Museum is very excited to welcome everyone to our new home at Canalside. To help make your visit as enjoyable and engaging as possible, we have developed customized visual, social, communicative, sensory, and behavioral supports. You will find these supports throughout the museum – from our sensory backpacks and call-ahead accommodations, to our sensory-friendly rooms. We would love to have you visit!

Stomping Ground is an overnight camp in the gateway to the Adirondacks in Saratoga Springs, New York. We are building radically empathetic communities through humble curiosity, personal responsibility, restorative practices, and unbounded creativity. In the off season, we offer more focused programming around community building, conflict resolution training through circles, and practices focused in empathy and inclusion. Our mission is to partner with young people to inspire the next generation of radically empathetic decision makers. Together we re-imagine a more perfect world.

Fun and creative hands-on crafts projects that demonstrate concepts in electrical circuits, coding, robotics, renewable energy, materials engineering, and more! Kathy Ceceri has been teaching and writing about STEAM activities in schools, libraries, museums, and Maker Faires for over 15 years. She is the author of Making Simple Robots, Paper Inventions, and more.

A violinist and string teacher of 30 years of experience, I offer PD presentations for music teachers such as: "Troubleshooting String Technique Issues," "Jazz Composition in Middle School String Orchestra," "How to help your students manage Performance Anxiety." I also have presentations/workshops for string students, grades 3-12: "Vibrato: basics," "The Process of Sight Reading" In addition, I am available as a teacher coach for music teachers who are new to teaching string instruments (such as a band teacher who gets assigned strings in their school).

Author, Program Creator: Farm/Garden to Table Author Visits: 1. Fidget Grows a Pizza Garden - children learn about their food sources in a creative way through the art of storytelling while helping to encourage life skills and cooking activities at home. (activities depend on size of groups, but included planting, pizza making, storytelling workshops, how a plant grows, etc) 2. Fidget Screams for Ice Cream - children not only learn about their food sources through the art of storytelling, they also learn about using alternatives such as honey and fruit to sweeten their ice cream, while helping to encourage life skills and recipe making activities at home. (activities depending on size of groups, but included planting, ice cream making, story telling workshops, etc.) 3. Gal’s Apple-licious Eats - children have fun with recipe making workshops. 4.