Féraba – The African Rhythm Tap Company offers dynamic school assembly programs that blend traditional West African music and dance with American tap, creating an engaging, educational experience for students from kindergarten through 12th grade. Féraba's assemblies are interactive and culturally enriching. They are an immersive experience that combines storytelling, music, and dance to take students on a cultural journey, emphasizing the interconnectedness of global traditions.

Imagine effortlessly inspiring students to read more and respect others! Students LOVE magic, humor, audience participation & special effects, therefore completely absorb the strong educational messages in assembly programs: "Discover the Magic of Reading!" and “Take P.R.I.D.E. – Unforgettable Character Education & Anti Bullying Program!” For a Teacher Workshop, “Accelerated Learning in the Classroom!” is both entertaining and highly beneficial for teachers. For a wonderful Family show, “Magic Beyond Imagination!” is a BIG hit!... I know you have many choices. Not many competitively priced shows are as engaging AND educational as these. I bring you my 25 years experience of performing hundreds of school programs and countless others for public & private organizations. School also benefit from my education at Villanova University and Mystery School, the top magicians’ theatrical school. Visit www.SchoolAssemblyMagic.com for more info, show reviews and video samples. Call or email Robert@SchoolAssemblyMagic.com to discuss customized details ideal for your school - ask for FREE study guides!

The Cold Spring Harbor Fish Hatchery & Aquarium offers engaging programs for students from pre-K to college, featuring live animals. Our programs align with New York State Learning Standards and can be customized to meet your specific needs. Participants will have the opportunity to explore outdoor ponds and living wildlife displays in our two aquarium buildings. Program Offerings: Guided Tours: Discover various animal exhibits discuss themes such as Fins & Jaws, Aquatic Habitats, Life Cycles in Nature, Adaptations, Hatching Trout, Reptiles & Amphibians, Aquaculture, and General. Seasonal Activities: Participate in seasonal programs such as Egg Stripping, Pond Life, and Freshwater Ecology. If you are unable to join us for a field trip, we also provide outreach and virtual options.

For over 20 years, Alex Torres & His Latin Orchestra have been visiting schools, ranging from elementary to universities, performing on and demonstrating Afro-Caribbean instruments, roots and rhythms. They have provided a comprehensive and student tailored lecture/demo/hands-on program that has proven extremely successful and well received at the schools. These "assemblies" consist of three components. First the lecture component which provides knowledge, insight and answers the who, what, where and when. The second component is the demo. During the demo component the orchestra performs the Afro-Caribbean rhythms such as salsa, cha-cha & merengue. The third component is the "hands-on" component which is everyone's favorite part. Students are invited up on stage to perform a few bars of music with the musicians and become part of the band! The students realize many aspects of the music including that many of the Afro-Caribbean percussion instruments play an integral part in the music and also gain a sense of respect for the instruments and the performers. The orchestra has performed Arts In Education in over 100 schools, colleges and universities. For more information on our program, please call (518) 330-6917.

Telling multicultural folktales is an amazing way to introduce students to different cultures, learn story structure, boost vocabulary, and enhance pre-reading skills. Storytelling fosters imagination, creativity and is a great jumping off point for writing exercises, and discussions about elements of story from character motivations to rising action. Professional storyteller and author Donna Washington presents age-appropriate story sets to all of your students from Kindergarten to high school. There are perfect stories for all age groups from Anansi the Spider to Zeus! Donna uses dynamic language, energetic expressions and vocal pyrotechnics to bring these stories to life. So, strap yourself in for a wild, fun, entertaining, educational, interactive ride! Use this link to view a video excerpt from this program: https://vimeo.com/442549489/80e27ea56c Artist Background Donna Washington is a professional author, storyteller, and multicultural folklorist who has been sharing stories for more than 36 years. Her amazing vocal pyrotechnics and dynamic physicality make her stories come alive and enthrall and delight audiences from four to one hundred and four. She offers a range of multicultural folktales, personal narratives and stories of her own creation. She is a multiple-award winning artist with eleven CDs and author of five children’s books. Her newest, PRAK FILLS THE HOUSE is available September 1st, 2023. She has been featured at numerous festivals, schools & libraries, theaters, and other venues around the world including Canada, Peru, Argentina, and Hong Kong. Her school shows are grade specific and targeted to students’ age, cognitive, and emotional development.

Award-winning, internationally renowned musical storytelling duo Barry Marshall and Jeri Burns PhD, aka, The Storycrafters, present performance, workshop and residency programs integrating storytelling with numerous areas of curriculum. Storytelling has been documented in multiple studies as a support and building block of literacy. Schools that participate in storytelling programs see marked improvement in student language, reading and creating writing abilities. Storycrafters programs work to enhance student literacy through the storytelling art form. Storytelling also acts as an active support to many areas of curriculum, including character education, history, multicultural and international studies, and more. The Storycrafters have been working in schools and other venues since 1991, building a vast repertoire of stories and workshops to introduce storytelling and use it to enhance many areas of student learning. In addition, The Storycrafters present workshops for parents and teachers introducing the many ways storytelling can enhance student development in the home and classroom. With 30+ years of experience in the storytelling art form and its many use in the classroom and school environment, The Storycrafters are a valuable resource for any school community looking to enhance literacy while supporting many areas of curriculum.

School Shows: Prices for Mop & Bucket Co. Performance only: 45 minutes, two improvisers and accompanist $1000 Additional improvisers, each $200 45 minutes, Theatresports (™) show, five improvisers plus accompanist $1,500 Second show same ½ day (morn or afternoon) $500 Customized for specific character education themes (more lecture-demo elements than average performance) $ +100 Workshops: 45 minutes, one or two trainer-facilitators $350-$450 Multiple after school improv workshops - Let’s talk Combinations: Evening performances (PTA event, etc.): 45 minutes, two or three improvisers and accompanist $800 Additional improvisers, each $200 Motivational Speaker package for public schools - Let’s Talk Travel/ Mileage: No Charge within 30 miles of 10 North Jay Street, Schenectady NY Over 30 Miles: $1.00/mile from 10 N. Jay Sound reinforcement Wireless lavaliere, mixer, PA package (recommended for a cafetorium, auditoriums, etc.) $200 Dates Available Please call or email to discuss your needs. We like to make it work for you. Program Theme: We work with you to create an entertaining, all improvised show that meets your instructional agenda. Showcasing the main tenets of improv (be spontaneous, celebrate positive risk taking, accept and build with what exists, make your partner look good) our shows support your programs on anti-bullying, diversity and inclusion, or enhancing creativity. We also address core subjects using NYS standards as guidelines. Program Description: Improv shows for entertainment and education. Interactive improv workshops, which can be in combination with a show, using selected students as our collaborators. Offsite workshops for faculty and staff, for team building, communication skills development, and more.

Misty Yarnall is a writer and teaching artist. She actively teaches creative writing and theatre workshops through libraries, homeschool co-ops, and nonprofit organizations. She is passionate about creating brave spaces for people of all ages to share their stories. A few examples of workshops she has led in the past are included below. World Building 101: Do you love reading adventure books with fantastical settings and magical elements? Have you ever wanted to write a story set in a place you’ve never been? In this workshop, students will master the layout of the land within their stories, no matter what genre. Students will take inspiration from real plants, animals, and cultures, and apply what they've learned to their made-up worlds. Writing for the Screen: Have you ever wondered how your favorite TV show got to the screen? Want to try your hand at writing a script made for TV? In this workshop, you will learn to write your own screenplay and collaborate on a pilot episode for a TV series. We will generate ideas, learn to use the three-act structure, and operate as if we were in our own TV writers' room. Playing with Plays: Through movement-based improv games and collaborative writing prompts, students will better understand how plays go from the page to the stage. We will learn about character motivations, use of props, scene structure, and understanding of performance. Students will end the workshop with a new play to showcase. Guided Journaling: Have you always wanted to start journaling, but aren’t sure where to start? Have you been journaling for a while and want a community to write and share with? In this workshop, participants will complete writing prompts geared towards eliminating the daunting, listy idea of journaling and replace it with interactive, fun activities for all ages and backgrounds. No prior journaling or writing experience necessary!

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!)

Cheryl Wills is the 3x great granddaughter of Civil War Veteran Sandy Wills. The Emmy award winning journalist and children's book author visits schools nationwide teaching about her family's transition from Slavery to Freedom in Tennessee using primary sources in an exciting and captivating power point presentation. Cheryl made national news in 2024, when she hired an archaeology team to locate the remains of her heroic grandfather. He was found in an unmarked grave and the U.S. Army reburied Pvt. Sandy with full military honors in August of 2024. See report on CBS News! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZGQybuYerV4&t=8s

District Membership SUPPORT THE VISUAL ARTS IN YOUR SCHOOL NYSATA offers a wide array of opportunities for students. Included are numerous exhibits at the local, state, and national level; student scholarship opportunities; the Olympics of the Visual Arts Competition; and the Portfolio Project Assessment, to name a few. All new this year, the District Membership Program gives students access to all these great programs without the need for individual teachers to also become members.* District Membership Benefits Include: Access to all student programs and opportunities, including: The NYSATA Portfolio Project* The Olympics of the Visual Arts* The NYSATA Legislative Student Exhibit* The NYSATA/School Boards Association Student Exhibit* Student Scholarships Opportunities: The Zara B. Kimmey, Bill Millikin, and Goldberg/Snow 20% discount on registration fees for the NYSATA/School Boards Association Exhibit and Legislative Exhibit Ready to share and print Award/Recognition certificates for outstanding visual art students (one certificate per school building) Access to members-only resources on the NYSATA website www.nysata.org Regular E-News information and advocacy alerts Subscription for each art teacher in your school or district to quarterly NYSATA News digital and print editions Member rates on all art teacher registrations for our annual conference, regional institutes and workshops, the Summer Institute at Sagamore, and other professional development opportunities Full benefits of membership for every art teacher in your school or district Getting your teachers connected to a learning community and INVOLVED (priceless!) *Additional registration fees apply for certain programs and exhibits. Questions? Please contact us at districtmembership@nysata.org.

Airigami is, at its heart, a team of artists who create large-scale installations, illustrations, and experiences entirely out of balloons—from small single sculptures and STEAM programs to stadium-sized, record-breaking installations. The common element in all our work: Attention-grabbing wonder. Our clients come to us for all kinds of projects. Airigami has built a range of inspiring programs around balloons that’s educational and unforgettable. We’ve worked with organizations of many types all around the world. Our displays can interpret important cultural touchstones like famous masterpieces and historic environments that inspire. Balloon sculptures can invigorate curiosity about familiar subjects. Balloons can even serve as the center of powerful team-building exercises. * How to Catch a Mouse: Simple Machines at Work While working on his master’s degree in elementary education, Airigami partner Larry Moss created How to Catch a Mouse as a presentation for grade-schoolers. The response to the first performance was so strong, he developed it for larger audiences. The show combines math, science, art and fun. Balloons are used to construct a Rube Goldberg-style mousetrap intended to solve the problem of a mouse on the loose. Student volunteers are invited to participate in building the working machine. It’s a dynamic way to teach kids how machines work and inspire them to eagerly set the trap in motion for themselves. The show is ideal for elementary school assembly programs and children’s museums. * Bubble Mural™ Designed by the experts at Airigami, this hands-on exhibit engages visitors in a collaborative project that offers maximum impact with minimal mess. Participants work together to construct a 2-D installation made entirely of biodegradable latex balloons. * Team Building Airigami’s Team Building program is designed to foster cooperation among participants—rather than competition. And the best part is, everyone who joins in starts at the same level: square one.