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.
Bardavon 1869 Opera House
Bardavon 1869 Opera House, Inc. (known familiarly as “the Bardavon'') is a New York State nonprofit corporation that owns and operates two historic theaters. The 928-seat Bardavon 1869 Opera House in Poughkeepsie is the oldest continuously operating theater in the state, among the oldest in the country, and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The 1500-seat Ulster Performing Arts Center/Broadway Theater (UPAC) is a National Register property built in Kingston in 1927. UPAC was merged into Bardavon's corporate structure in 2007.
The Bardavon consistently presents the highest quality music, dance, theater, and classic films in both its venues. The Bardavon has brought together artists, businesses, and government to produce outdoor events that draw thousands of residents and visitors to the region annually, providing free access to superb art as a source of community pride, urban revitalization, and cultural tourism. The Bardavon Education Program partners with regional schools in offering unique arts-based learning experiences for students and innovative tools for teachers.
The continued restoration and preservation of the Bardavon 1869 Opera House and the Ulster Performing Arts Center/Broadway Theater is also a vital aspect of our mission.
**Bring a Magical Experience to Your School with Howie Hypnotize!**Hello Schools! Get ready for an unforgettable experience! Introducing **Howie Hypnotize** a mesmerizing performance that combines comedy, magic, and the incredible power of hypnosis. Perfect for school events, assemblies, prom nights, and special occasions!
**Why Howie Hypnotize?**
-Engaging and Interactive: Howie's shows are not just performances, but interactive experiences that involve and captivate the audience. - Safe and Respectful: We prioritize safety and respect, ensuring a fun experience that's appropriate for high school audiences.
- Customizable Shows: Tailor the performance to fit your school's theme or event focus.
- Educational and Entertaining: Learn About Hypnosis. Students get a chance to learn about the science and art of hypnosis in an engaging way.
- **Boost School Spirit**: An exciting event that brings students together, fostering a sense of community and school pride. Perfect For All School Events
- Assemblies
- Prom Nights
- Graduation Parties
- Fundraisers
- Special School Celebrations
**Booking Now for the School Year!** Limited slots available! Book now to bring Howie Hypnotize to your school and create an event that students will talk about for years to come!
Founded in 1791, the Albany Institute of History & Art is New York’s oldest museum. Its collections document the Hudson Valley as a crossroads of culture, influencing the art and history of the region, the state, and the nation.
With more than 35,000 objects in the collection and one million documents in the research library, it is an important resource for the region, fostering a sense of place and the part the Hudson Valley played in the American story. Permanent exhibitions include one of the largest collections of Hudson River School paintings and a history of Ancient Egypt, as well as temporary rotating exhibitions.
The Albany Institute’s education programs serve 10,000 students, teachers, adults, and families every year. The museum education department’s mission is to connect our community to our collections and exhibitions through lifelong learning opportunities that serve all ages. Education programs are organized into three areas of learning: schools and educators programs, intergenerational programs, adult programs, and public programs.
School Groups: The Albany Institute offers themed tours of our permanent and temporary exhibitions for groups of all ages. We currently offer programs on Ancient Egypt (grades 3–8), the Hudson River School (grades 2–12), and the American Revolution (grades 3–5). We can lead tours at the museum, at your space, or online. The education team at AIHA is happy to customize tours to meet the needs of your curricula, students, and goals. Please contact Janine Moon at moonj@albanyinstitute.org to schedule your tour. Funding might be available for your tour.
Educators: The Albany Institute offers professional development workshops for educators, with topics customizable to your needs. We can host workshops at the museum, in your space, or online. Please find a selection of virtual resources online here: albanyinstitute.org/learn/programs/teacher-resources
Groups: Themed guided tours are available for adult groups (up to 20 participants) at the museum, your space, or online.
Bright Star Touring Theatre has grown to become one of the nation's largest professional touring theaters for young audiences. Bright Star was founded in 2003 and currently expects to serve around 4,000 audiences this year with programming across America and around the world.
Bright Star annually offers more than 60 different 45-minute programs ranging from anti-bullying and literary classics to American history and science-based STEM shows. Bright Star is the nation's largest provider of Black History programming and has had the honor of bringing shows to venues as diverse as the National Park Service and the National Archives and to schools and libraries across New York State.
This season, our programs include more than 70 shows, including Peter Pan, Winnie-the-Pooh, A Dickens Tale, Bullysaurus Rex, The Story of Anne Frank, The Life of Dr. King, Let It Shine: The American Civil Rights Movement, a bilingual Little Red Riding Hood, and more.
In addition to touring productions designed to perform in any space, the company offers theater production camps, theater workshops, residencies, and more. Our shows include comprehensive classroom study guides, post-show Q&A's, and professional actors that join our company from around the country.
We are always here to answer questions and help you become acquainted with us and our work! We can't wait to entertain your young audience, as we've done for millions of audience members around the globe.
Magic of 5-A-Day is an interactive, 45-minute elementary school assembly, designed to promote good nutrition and exercise. Brian Richards brings the importance of nutrition together with a little magic that will captivate your students and leave them laughing and smiling throughout his whole performance. This nutrition and health assembly is unlike any you have seen before! With the aid of magic, comedy, audience participation, and powerful visual aids, your students and staff will learn…
Why we need to eat at least 5 servings of fruits and veggies every day
How the colors of fruits and veggies are good for different parts of our bodies
Why balance and moderation is so important
How to know the difference between a “sometimes food” and an “all-the-time food.”
And much more…Plus, your students will take the 5-A-Day Challenge and pledge to eat their 5-A-Day every day.
I am a visual fiber artist based in the Catskill Mountains who spent the last three school years as a visiting artist for 8th graders at Van Antwerp and Iroquois Middle Schools in Niskayuna working with art teachers Katherine Chwazik, Alyssa LaPatra, and Dana Sela. I visited students for two days per quarter (different groups each quarter and averaging around 75 students per day).
I collaborated with the schools prior to my arrival to collect recycled fabrics from quilting fabric to second hand clothing, which were the basis of a recycled fabric collage project. My visits began with a brief power point lecture about my practice working with fibers in needlepoint, chair weaving, and fabric collage to set the stage.
Each year, the teachers I worked with wanted the project to have a different focus based on the gaps they thought it could fill in the curriculum.
The fabric projects were: landscapes ('21-'22), merit medals ('22-'23), and yarn/fabric abstract works based on music ('23-'24). The projects allowed students to express their individuality through choosing subjects that meant something personal to them, whether that be a landscape of their hike in the Adirondacks, or creating abstract shapes based on their love for Taylor Swift.
As a fiber artist, this project does not fit neatly into the Visual Arts categories listed, and therefore I think provided kids with an unusual opportunity to explore an unorthodox medium for a public classroom setting.
This project is flexible in terms of subject and I can accommodate the lesson plan for a wide age range of kids, from 6th grade to 12th grade.
Darren Sardelli is an empowering poet and author who makes poetry exciting for young people. His assemblies are interactive, engaging, and very funny. Younger students act out poems with Darren, figure out poetry riddles, and learn how to express themselves in positive ways. Older students discover easy ways to put ideas in motion, make their writing stand out, and learn how to empower themselves with words. They’ll be motivated to read and write poetry, start an idea book, and think in a creative direction.
LAUGH-A-LOT POETRY (K-5th grade assemblies and writing workshops)
THE POWER OF WORDS! (Empowering assemblies for middle school and high school students)
ADVENTURES IN RHYME (Pre-K, K, 1st - Introduction to Poetry)
THE FUNNY POETRY SHOW (Family Night)
Andre Chevalier offers various music based school assemblies on the topics of Anti-Bullying/Character Building, Mindfulness, Reading Celebration Show and a Multicultural assembly. From start to finish Andre will have your students engaged by utilizing lines of inquiry, storytelling and interactive songs to deliver the theme of the assembly.
Andre's music styles range from Rock to Blues to Reggae to Folk and will have your Kindergarten through Eighth Grade classes up and moving. He specializes in working with Elementary aged children and has worked with educators to make sure his connection to curriculum is spot on.
Andre was born and raised in Glens Falls NY and graduated from Sierra Nevada College in Lake Tahoe where he earned a degree in Interdisciplinary Studies Sustainability with a focus on music and education. Having recently moved back to the North Country, Andre has been traveling the west coast performing his assemblies in cities from San Diego to Seattle.
Gizmo D Robot is the host of three amazing, memorable and impactful elementary presentations around the topics of anti-bullying, growth mindset and health awareness. In addition, he is co-host - along with talented musician Dave Lambert - of a music education presentation for grades K-2. Students enjoy Gizmo and his unexpectedly high interactive capabilities as well as his delightful sense of humor. Educators love Gizmo because he delivers vital messages in a way students can quickly grasp. “…the best assembly we have ever had!” was the response from Lebanon Borough School in New Jersey.
Live Interactive Virtual Rhythm Clinics
Grades: K–12
Length of Program: 30 minutes – 1 hour
Virtual Clinics with Ed Roscetti
Increase Your Rhythmic Vocabulary. Expand Creativity.
Join renowned drummer, composer, author and educator Ed Roscetti for an engaging and interactive Live Streamed Virtual Clinic designed to inspire students and musicians of all levels. With decades of experience performing, composing, recording in L.A. Studios and teaching, Ed brings his signature style of grooves, rhythmic concepts and creative development directly to you—wherever you are.
The use of different instrument stations in his studio keeps things dynamic and provides varied opportunities to interact with students and teachers during the event. The use and propriety of AI in the music making process is explored. See his signature programs (listed below) to choose from. Or request a customized clinic and length that best fits into your teaching curriculum and schedule.
Signature Programs:
• World Music Interactive Drum Clinic
• Groovin’ in Odd Times
• Drums & Percussion in TV and Film (Composition)
• The Drum & Bass Connection
• Drums ‘n’ Jazz
• How to Protect Your Ears
If you have any questions about Ed's clinic programs please contact him at roscettimusic@mac.com
where you can also request a detailed Clinic Description for each signature program.
This performance supports the following NYS Learning Standards:
Music:
• Standard 1 (Creating, performing, and participating in the arts),
• Standard 4 (Understanding the cultural dimensions and contribution of the arts)
Categories: Music — Instrumental
Format & Logistics
• Conducted live via Zoom (or preferred school-approved platform)
• Ideal group sizes: 10 –100 students
• Includes downloadable materials: Charts, backing tracks, exercises
• Optional sessions: Teacher workshop, follow-up coaching, ensemble masterclass
Cost:
• $500 — One Virtual Clinic
• $900 — Two Virtual Clinics (same day)
• Sponsors (DW, PDP & LP) will cover the remainder of his artist fee.
Elevate your program’s rhythmic proficiency and creative expression—contact us to schedule a virtual clinic with Ed Roscetti today!
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.
I am Yolanda T. Marshall, an award-winning Caribbean-heritage author of diverse, inclusive, festive children's literature. I have 20 books to read from!
I am an energetic storyteller who performs interactive book readings for large groups. My books and storytime include music, singing and dancing! The main themes of my books are about everyone (regardless of cultural identity) coming together to celebrate our similarities and differences. It is a space for childhood joy, laughter and learning something new about each other.
My readings are for 45 - 60 mins of multiple books. We take little dance soca breaks to keep moving.
I present my book on a projector so everyone can see the vibrant and beautiful illustrations by the illustrators.
My virtual readings - books are presented on the screen in classrooms - we get to have a fun party, aka storytime, at our desks!