Our mission at BIG INK is to encourage appreciation for woodblock printmaking: one impression at a time. In 2012, Lyell Catongguay founded BIG INK to provide woodblock printmaking workshop opportunities for people of all skill levels. As a result, thousands of individuals have learned how to carve wood by following Castonguay’s online master class, and numerous community members have attended BIG INK’s workshops to witness the spectacle of large-scale woodblock printing. With its community-driven and public art education model, BIG INK is committed to ensuring a promising future for printmaking. Hire BIG INK for a workshop at your school. We’ll travel to your location and set up The Big Tuna, our custom-designed giant mobile printing press. Does your group have limited woodblock carving experience? That is okay. We’ll be your guide!

Music enrichment geared to your curriculum. This can include a songwriting component and a wide variety of topics.

Just Buffalo Literary Center has led the way for literary arts education in Western New York. One of Just Buffalo’s greatest strengths is our ability to reach students of all ages and abilities—gifted and talented, at-risk, or special needs—and we’re proud to work with public, private, Catholic, and charter schools, as well as community centers throughout Western New York.

Todaydream helps students discover career pathways, build confidence, and expand what is possible for their future. Todaydream connects students with diverse, accomplished professionals whose authentic stories and meaningful conversations transform careers from abstract ideas into real, attainable possibilities. Our DreAmbassadors® represent a wide range of industries, backgrounds, and lived experiences. Through engaging storytelling, guided discussion, and interactive activities, students explore authentic career journeys, learn how professionals navigated challenges and opportunities, and discover the many pathways available after high school. Todaydream's career-connected learning experiences support schools' goals for college and career readiness, postsecondary planning, social-emotional learning, workforce readiness, and student engagement. Sessions encourage students to reflect on their strengths, interests, and aspirations while developing greater confidence in their ability to achieve their goals. Todaydream offers customizable classroom workshops, assemblies, career panels, and virtual experiences for middle and high schools. Schools can engage Todaydream for a single assembly or a sustained series across a semester or school year. Our research-informed programming has demonstrated a statistically significant 22% increase in students' beliefs about social mobility, measured using Stanford’s Measuring Mobility Toolkit, helping young people recognize that success is attainable regardless of where they begin. Todaydream partners with Chicago Public Schools and was founded by a Northwestern University law professor, Harvard economics PhD, and Chicago Public Schools alumnus. When students can see new possibilities, they begin to imagine new futures. By expanding students' vision of what is possible, Todaydream helps connect today's learning with tomorrow's opportunities.

Since 2008 we offer a variety of services and school productions. We specialize in multicultural and multilingual products and services for schools K-12.

Judd Sunshine – Teaching Artist since 1985 Judd Sunshine began his career as a teaching artist with the renowned school assembly group known as The Hill Brothers. Between 1985 and 2022, The Hill Brothers performed thousands of educational concerts for students all over New York State, Pennsylvania, Ohio, and New Jersey. Following the retirement of his fellow Hill Brothers and Sister Susie Hill, he continues the tradition of presenting quality, theme driven, educational, and entertaining programs as a solo performer. His 5 themed shows are comprised of songs and messages delivered with gentle humor and loads of audience participation: Anti Bully Literacy Character Ed (Respect and responsibility) Wellness (safe choices!) Americana and Erie Canal Songs Judd also offers an Erie Canal Songwriting residency as well as non themed shows just for the pure fun of it (great for the end of the school year or summer programs/camps!)

Nasia’s performances do more than just entertain; they serve as a relatable, inspiring touchstone for young people. By sharing her own journey as an artist, she encourages students to embrace their passions, build self-confidence, and pursue their goals with resilience. Her relatable stage presence shows adolescents that they can use their voices to share their stories and enact positive change. She connects very well for a 16 year old.

As a read aloud advocate, I believe in the power of stories to nurture empathy, self-confidence, and imagination in young readers. My award winning books focus on social-emotional themes that support early childhood development, creating meaningful narratives that resonate with children, educators, and parents alike. *Fantastically Me!* (ages 0-8) touches on themes of self-belief and growth mindset. Whereas *Making Friends Together * (ages 0-5) is a board book that addresses kindness and friendship. In my author visits, I bring these stories to life for students up to 2nd grade through engaging, interactive read-aloud sessions, inviting children to explore their own feelings and ideas in a fun, safe environment. For older elementary students, I offer hands-on writing workshops that guide them in crafting their own stories, encouraging self-expression, creativity, and a love for writing. These sessions are designed to inspire confidence in young writers, from filling in imaginative story blanks to creating characters and worlds that spark their curiosity. With each visit, my goal is to leave students not only with a memorable experience but also with the tools and encouragement to tell their own stories.

Interactive Pre-K music programs for ages 2 - 5, and school aged programs for small groups K - 2. Hands-on musical activities with rhythm instruments and creative movement & dance. Book well in advance.

Fiddling With Traditions: A Musical Journey Through New York’s Folk History Tailored for grades K–12 | 45–60 minute assembly Designed to support social studies and arts education, this high-energy program engages students through live music and film while connecting them to the folk traditions of their region. Award-winning fiddler Gretchen Koehler and pianist-composer Daniel Kelly lead a multimedia journey into the heart of Northern New York’s cultural heritage. Their original music, sparked by traditions like quilting, blacksmithing, silversmithing, and beekeeping, is performed live alongside vivid film footage of local artisans at work. This engaging assembly brings history to life as students learn stories of everyday life in their region, discovering how everyday people shaped culture through creativity and craft.

Brooklyn Robot Foundry - Lower Hudson Valley provides a STEAM program that combines creativity through art with hands-on engineering builds that teach foundational STEM concepts - essentially, 21st-century skills and science through art. Each class introduces a new project featuring different robot components and art materials. Many projects incorporate sculpting, drawing, painting, and mixed-media decoration, allowing students to explore both artistic expression and scientific principles in an integrated, hands-on way.All robots designed and built by students are functional and interactive - some move, light up, vibrate, or even throw objects. Every creation is unique, reflecting each student’s artistic vision and creative approach. The program is currently active across multiple counties in New York State, offered in both public and private schools as after-school enrichment, in-school residencies, workshops, assemblies, and special events. Our program is recognized by STEM.org as one of the Top 5% “Best in STEM” programs for 2025. The robots we build in class are never the same — while the building process is guided, each student’s artistic vision and design make every creation unique.

Move & Motivate with Mr. Chris is an interactive Hip Hop Dance and Music School Assembly including Social Emotional Learning (SEL) & Healthy Living Prepare your students to have the dance experience of a lifetime! Youth Motivational Speaker Chris “Zondaflex” Tyler energizes students with an unforgettable mix of hip hop dance, music, comedy and motivation, inspiring them to stay active, be positive, and be kind for a successful future. This dynamic, high-energy performance captivates audiences while delivering powerful life lessons they’ll remember long after the assembly ends! Move & Motivate with Mr. Chris isn’t just about movement—it’s about empowerment. This interactive program combines hip hop dance with social emotional learning (SEL), character education, and the benefits of healthy living, reinforcing messages on achievement, motivation, personal power, bullying prevention, perseverance, and more. Chris makes staying active fun, emphasizing how movement boosts mental focus, self-confidence, and overall well-being. Why Movement Matters With obesity rising globally, now more than ever, students need to understand the importance of staying active in a way that feels exciting and natural. Move & Motivate with Mr. Chris makes movement accessible for everyone, showing how dancing, fitness, and mindset work together to create a healthier, happier life. Chris’ passion is to inspire all students—not just through words, but through an interactive experience that gets them moving, thinking, and believing in themselves. His crazy, energetic, and engaging performance challenges youth to embrace their individuality, take responsibility for their choices, and strive for success—all while having an absolute blast! Customizable, Interactive, and Unforgettable Move and Motivate with Mr. Chris provides a fully customizable presentation based on your school’s needs. Topics include (but are not limited to): Social Emotional Learning (SEL) | Healthy Living Through Movement | Bullying & Cyber Bullying | Overcoming Adversity | The Power of Perseverance | Character Building & Leadership | Anti-Bullying & Cyber-Bullying Awareness | Teamwork & Respect | Black History | Living a Positive Lifestyle and more! Also perfect for Dance Nights, School Parties, and DJ Events—Chris brings the energy to every event! Don’t miss out! Chris “Zondaflex” Tyler is the real deal—and your students won’t stop talking about this experience! Black History Content for Chris: In his Black History Dance Assembly, Chris specifically mentions the roots of hip-hop music and dance about black history and how pioneers in the industry started a movement that is still taught today. Don “Campbellock” will be featured and students will learn how he started a style called locking while they learn some of the locking dance moves. Chris also features Sam Solomon and how he created the style of dance called popping, which is the practice of contracting and relaxing muscles to cause a jerking motion. Finally, students will hear about Kool DJ Herc who started the popular form of dance called breakdancing.