Top Youth Speakers is proud to offer a roster of over 30 top ranked speakers for youth and professional staff audiences. We provide speaking services for assemblies, workshops, conferences, and professional development or leadership training for all levels of the educational field. From anti-bullying and kindness to resiliency and burnout prevention, we are proud to serve the Arts in Education network with stellar experiences.

Serving Grades 3-12, 4-H Camp Owahta offers customizable outdoor learning experiences that combine environmental education, outdoor recreation, leadership development, social-emotional learning, literacy, physical education, and the arts. Through hands-on, experiential programming aligned with New York State Learning Standards, students build confidence, creativity, teamwork, critical thinking, and a deeper connection to the natural world in a fun and engaging outdoor setting.

Mylisa Larsen is the author of the novels Playing Through the Turnaround and Quagmire Tiarello Couldn’t Be Better and the picture books All of Those Babies, If I Were A Kangaroo, How To Put Your Parents To Bed and Ho Ho Homework. Her author visits are designed to look at some of the underlying assumptions that cause students to decide that they’re not writers and to give students practical and fun ways of building their skills as writers which they can use immediately. We explore techniques for finding stories and getting started, experiment with how different choices we make shape our work, and talk about techniques for revision and for when writing gets hard. We talk about what the job of an author looks like but also how the skills of creative problem-solving which make up the job of a writer apply to many other fields and endeavors. All programs are tailored to the age of the students. Several different programs available are listed at mylisalarsen.com/visits.

Didgeridoo Down Under is a leading K-12 educational entertainment company in the U.S, and we tour annually throughout New York. We perform exciting and interactive school assemblies, workshops and residencies woven with cultural arts, core curriculum, character building, motivational speaking and loads of audience participation. Our program themes range from Australian cultural arts to science, literacy, character education and more! Our programs are applicable to elementary, middle and high schools, and we adjust our programs to the specific audience. All programs also are accompanied by a study guide. Our most popular school assemblies include … 1) STAR QUEST: Passport to the Universe! – NEW! Star Quest is a captivating NEW musical and cinematic science adventure that launches students on an epic journey from Earth into the solar system and far beyond. DDU master performer/producer Rob Thomas weaves world music, awe-inspiring visuals, storytelling and audience participation into an enthralling and immersive program that explores planets, ocean worlds, stars, distant exoplanets and more ... showing not just what we know about the universe, but how we know it. Students will be exposed to NGSS concepts in space science, energy, force, and scientific investigation, demonstrating how observation, data, and physics turn curiosity into knowledge. Throughout the show, stunning photos and videos will be projected onto screens for a theater-like experience, and Rob will perform world-fusion music with his vast collection of didgeridoos and percussion instruments. Star Quest is interactive, educational, inspirational and mesmerizing! 2) DIDGERIDOO DOWN UNDER SHOW: Australian Music, Culture, Character Building & More! The Didgeridoo Down Under Show is an energetic fusion of Australian music, culture, comedy, character building, and loads of audience participation. The didgeridoo has been played by Aboriginal Australians for at least 1500 years, and it's known for its otherworldly sound. During the show, Rob Thomas plays a variety of exotic didgeridoos and worldly percussion instruments, demonstrating various playing styles and upbeat rhythms. He uses a multitude of props – vocabulary list, motivational signs, puppets, artwork and more – to deliver educational lessons and empowering messages. The program is very participatory, and several segments involve students playing instruments, dancing or acting out a story. The DDU Show is interactive, educational, motivational and super fun for all ages! 3) DYNAMIC EARTH: World Music, Earth Science & Environmental Entertainment! Dynamic Earth (aka Protect the Planet) takes us on an epic musical and scientific adventure, from the birth of the universe to the age of dinosaurs to the modern world. Multi-talented performer Rob Thomas weaves didgeridoo world music, awe-inspiring visuals and audience participation into an enthralling and interactive program. Your students will marvel at prehistoric creatures roaming primordial landscapes; they’ll explore a mysterious plant communication network; they’ll observe interactions between different animal species; and most importantly, they’ll learn how to protect our precious Earth. Throughout the show, stunning photos and videos will be projected onto screens for a theater-like experience, and Rob will perform world-fusion music with his vast collection of didgeridoos and percussion instruments. Some students will be invited on stage to play clap sticks during one of the musical pieces. Dynamic Earth is interactive, educational, motivational and highly entertaining! Additional programs include … Aussie Funk Jam: Didgeridoo Workshop! … Didgeridoo Residency: Immersive Australian Musical Experience! … Adventures of the Wild Wolf: Unleash Your Inner Reader & Author! Since 2003, we’ve presented 10,000+ programs at schools and other venues nationwide, with countless rave reviews. DDU presenter Rob Thomas is a highly acclaimed national touring performer and producer. He has performed at countless schools, theaters and other venues over 20+ years, and he has produced music for numerous films, including the IMAX movie Sacred Planet. He is passionate about empowering youth to make a positive impact on the world. ** Learn more at www.didgedownunder.com and www.didgedownunder.com/gallery. **

David Wong has been called a “Rock Star” in the violin world. With over 6.7 million YouTube views and 33k subscribers, he’s attracted the attention of people around the world with mentions in Time Magazine, Huffington Post, MSN, Good Morning America and features on YouTube’s Home Page. He has performed in venues ranging from Carnegie Hall to Hotel Café and collaborated with artists such as The War and Treaty, Cory Wong, and Air Traffic Controller. David is an avid string clinician specializing in live looping, non-traditional techniques, and content creation. He has presented at the Ohio State University String Teachers Workshop, Suzuki Music Columbus, and over 50 public school systems throughout the United States. As a live looping specialist with his violin, David has taught and performed in many schools across the US to great acclaim. He weaves original arrangements as a "one-man-band," playing the music that students know and love from streaming, movies, and other pop cultural phenomenons. David's performances and presentations often include: -introductions to improvising -live looping explanations and demonstrations -extended techniques such as chopping (from beginner to advanced), acoustic distortion, and other non-traditional and non-classical sounds -group layering to build "acoustic backing tracks/loops" -incorporating technology into music David graduated from Amherst College in 2008 with a double major in Music and Asian Studies. He currently resides northwest of Albany, NY

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!

Chris Herren is a former professional basketball player, a voice on the topic of substance use prevention and a wellness advocate. Since 2009, Chris has spoken to over two million students, athletes and community members, sparking honest discussions on the topics of substance use disorder and wellness. A person in long-term recovery, Chris continues to share his story in school communities nationally with a renewed focus on prevention education and challenging audiences to rethink how we look at the disease of addiction – changing the focus from the last day to the first.

Ball in the House is an R&B/Soul/Pop a cappella group whose high energy shows have audiences singing, dancing, even beatboxing along! They've performed everywhere - from theaters to performing arts centers, fairs & festivals, to opening for some of the biggest acts in the world, such as The Beach Boys, The Jonas Brothers, The Temptations, Fantasia, Gladys Knight, Lionel Richie, and numerous others. They’ve also become nationally known for their cultural arts programs over 20+ years of educating, entertaining, and inspiring students of all ages with their assemblies, workshops, masterclasses, and collaboration concerts. Here are descriptions of their main cultural arts programs: Totally Vocally This program is jam-packed with music, entertainment, and education!  Through contemporary & classic cover songs and original works, Ball in the House (BitH) will discuss and teach many aspects of music and performance. Students will discover what “a cappella” is and how it works, explore the technology behind a sound system, hear the various voice parts and how they fit together to make harmony and songs, learn how to beatbox and use rhythm, experience the history of a cappella singing from chant through doo wop, get introduced to songwriting and collaboration, and have a chance to ask questions. The program also addresses the teamwork aspect of performing together and how BitH needs to work together as people and as voices. Through fun rapport and stories of their own experiences as students (dealing with peer pressure, etc.), BitH inspires and encourages students to get involved and stay involved in the arts. And Now I See: Race, Racism and American Music Ball in the House’s new show explores African-American music, from Spirituals, Gospel, and Jazz to Soul, Hip-Hop, and R&B. Students will build awareness of where each style came from and why, as well as the cultural/social evolution of these styles and their influences, and connect them to the contemporary styles of today. This is done through stories and musical examples, all done in Ball in the House’s signature a cappella style. The show celebrates the enormous influence of African-American music and musicians, but also delves into how racism affected these musical styles in general and how it affected specific musical artists. There are also interactive moments that teach musical concepts like vocal runs, rhythm and beatboxing.

Peace Paper Project is an international organization of hand papermakers, art therapists, social activists and fine artists. Using a human powered pulping machine, We use traditional and contemporary applications of papermaking as a way to address issues that are specific to communities. The organization is based out of Upstate New York and Hamburg, Germany. Through lectures and interactive workshops, students are able to transform personal articles of clothing into paper art that tells the individuals hopes, dreams and aspirations.

Big J Entertainment LLC provides professional DJ entertainment and interactive music-based programs for schools, camps, youth organizations, and community events. Programs include interactive school assemblies, music-based student enrichment activities, team-building through music, interactive game-show-style programs, dance and movement activities, after-school programming, school dances and celebrations, field days, end-of-year events, and family/community nights.

Program Theme Our concert program “Place” explores diverse geographies, languages and musical /cultural traditions from all over the globe, featuring a fusion of original and traditional music from our 6-7 piece ensemble, with a focus on Ghanaian/West African influences. West African dancing is included is showcased in our performance, featuring 1-2 dancers originally from Accra, Ghana. Program Description “Place” takes the original music of Heard and brings the audience somewhere special and distinct in each piece– like the crowded bustle of an Accra open-air market (Market Song), a winding wintry boulevard in Montreal (Cotes des Neiges) or the summer streets of Brazil. (Danca Verao) Through narrative storytelling around our compositional inspirations, we explore cultural, geographical and environmental dimensions of other countries and places. A slideshow featuring maps and photos from our group's recent trip to Ghana provide a beautiful visual backdrop to our performance. Heard musicians include: Elizabeth Woodbury Kasius, keyboards, Laura Andrea Leguía, woodwinds, Bobby Kendall, bass, Brian Melick, percussion, Zorkie Nelson, percussion, Forsino Nelson, dance, Augustina Nelson, dance. All of our members sing! Breakout workshops in West African dance and world percussion can accompany the residency experience. Some of the schools/libraries/museums we’ve performed for include: Troy City School District, Troy, NY--Schools 2, 14, 16, 18 and Carroll Hill Elementary schools Van Rensselaer Elem, Rensselaer, NY Lake George Elementary Lake George, NY Samaritan Children’s Center, Troy, NY Susan Odell Taylor School, Troy, NY Paige Elementary, Schenectady, NY North Colonie Schools, Albany, NY--Boght Hills and Latham Ridge Elementary Schools Saratoga Springs Public Schools- Division St. Elementary Robert C. Parker School, East Greenbush, NY Abram Lansing School, Cohoes, NY Salem State College, Salem, MA ACC, Queensbury, NY HVCC, Troy, NY College of St. Rose, Albany, NY World Awareness Children’s Museum, Glens Falls, NY Guilderland Public Library, Guilderland, NY Albany Public Library–Arbor Hill and Delaware Ave. branches Millbrook, NY Library Silver Bay YMCA Resort Camp Chingachgook YMCA camp

Once Upon a Toon is a unique hybrid of storytelling with live cartoon illustrations. Multi-Emmy Award-winning cartoonist Joe Wos draws the stories as he tells them, in a lively and engaging program for all ages. Pulling from original stories and folktales with a twist, this live show is like watching a picture book being drawn before your very eyes. Each presentation includes a short guessing game, a how-to example, and two illustrated stories. Yielding between 15-20 drawings at every show. Best of all the illustrations stay with your school and may be displayed, auctioned, or even photocopied to share with students. Popular illustrated tales include Joe’s original pun-filled adventure “Don on the Farm” about a duck who longs to be a rooster, and with some help from his friends, they all help each other achieve their dreams! Joe also puts his unique spin on such classics as The Crowded House, How Turtle Flew South, How Elephant Got His Trunk, and many more.