Welcome to the Statewide Art and Enrichment Roster, Hosted by CiTi BOCES
Regions Map
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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.
Connection to Creativity
The Apple-Y EverAfter Show is an arts-infused literacy program designed to spark imagination, strengthen reading comprehension, and inspire a lifelong love of reading in students from Pre-K through Elementary.
Our program captivates children’s attention with catchy rhymes, sight words, and interactive songs that make literacy fun. In addition, through music, dance, and delicious apple-filled adventures, the show teaches kids to be brave, try new things, and celebrate cultural differences.
Students will be actively engaged with interactive activities throughout the show. Theatrical experiences have been proven to not only benefit students’ academic achievement, but to also foster socioemotional learning, improve communication skills, enhance memory and concentration, and develop critical thinking skills.
You also choose one of our add-on programs as part of the student experience:
Cuddle and Read: with this program, kids create a cuddly reading pal, celebrate with Judge Bear’s adoption ceremony, and take home a Reading Tracker. Schools get a year’s supply to keep the reading fun alive!
Playful Picasso: with this creative literacy program, books spark imagination and stories leap off the pages. Students begin with a playful scavenger hunt, then bring their discoveries to life through painting or a hands-on activity. This experience helps strengthen comprehension, encourages self-expression, and builds confident, joyful readers
So join Novel, Novella, and Chef de Pomme as they hop from one exciting destination to the next, whipping up scrumptious apple desserts and learning that everyone can grow to love apples—maybe you will too!
Let’s bring this adventure to your students!
Demonstration based assemblies focusing on the science of soap bubbles, light and color, and the wonder to be found in common situations. Beginning with a simple soap bubble we resist the urge to pop and instead observe as it goes through its four stages. We explain why bubbles form spheres at age appropriate levels and then show how multiple bubbles can create a variety of shapes including a cube. Participants are taught the tricks of bubble artists and in workshops they are given the opportunity to be successful. Altman taught high school physics for 35 years and traveled to science conferences speaking about his award winning programs focusing on lasers and holography. Retired, he as authored four science text books and one on the science of soap bubbles.
Theatre of Youth (TOY) is WNY’s only professional theatre dedicated to serving children and their families. We offer field trip opportunities to watch professional family friendly plays and musicals. We also offer in school theatre workshops.
Our Mission:
Theatre of Youth Company, Inc. (TOY) stimulates the imagination, nurtures the creative spirit and enhances the education of young people by engaging them in relevant, child-centered, and professionally-produced live theatre programs. TOY believes meaningful childhood experiences in the theatre develop confidence in creative thinking skills, cultivate empathy and establish a life-long connection to the arts.
TOY is a place where all families, children, cast and crew feel included, represented and inspired. We strive to reflect the community that gave rise to our theatre, both on and off the stage, and to improve access to the magic of children’s theatre and arts education for all. TOY is a safe haven where children can explore and be creative in comfort, with diversity in our productions and ensuring that our community has a voice in everything we do.
The presentation provides students with a history of the French and Indian War in New York state. It focuses on Rogers rangers', uniforms, weapons demonstration by firing cannon, swivel gun, pistol, rifle and musket. All with blanks. Various uniforms with student participation, historical items, other weapons and speaking through history. The presenter is a reenactor with twenty years of experience in the field. He is also a retired educator from Central Square School District for 35 years.
My name is Leah, and I’m the founder of Brave Lion. I’m a certified mindfulness and yoga practitioner, and a true child at heart! Thank you for checking out my profile.
My program offers are listed below, but first, I thought I’d share some nice things educators and administrators have said about working with me:
“Leah brings this work to life, it’s not just another SEL lesson or worksheet. The way she is able to connect with students and help them embody this work is a gift.”
- District Director of Curriculum (North Country)
“Leah's love and enthusiasm for neuroscience mindfulness education truly engaged all the students. She had such a special way of making each child feel heard. Her style allowed for students to connect the learning to their own lives, which made it very meaningful. The entire lesson execution was extraordinary!”
- 3rd Grade Educator (Capital District)
“She was absolutely wonderful. Taught in a way that felt very inclusive and open. I was not very comfortable with the practice in my own implementation and she really helped me feel comfortable with trying a multitude of ways and that they were all effective.”
- Educator, Participating in Mindfulness for Educators (Capital District)
Here is who we are and some of the ways we can work together to cultivate a more mindful way of being in your school community:
Brave Lion offers students and educators with personalized and accessible
(neuroscience-based) mindful tools to bolster emotional, mental and physical well-being. These self-study tools result in reduced stress, improved emotional regulation, enhanced personal + professional relationships and holistic-minded resilience.
We bravely offer partnerships with schools and organizations including; in-class lessons (series or single topic), assemblies, educator professional development, parents education and consultation.
Programming:
Assemblies (Elementary K-2, 3-5)
School-based Mindfulness and Movement Programming
Physical Education Yoga (MIndful Movement) Take Over
Professional Development and Keynote Speaking
Digital Wellness + Taming Tech: Education and Coaching
1:1 and Group Mindful Mapping
Nurtured in Nature: A Guide to Connecting Students to the Natural World
If you’d like, you can learn more about the Brave Lion approach by viewing this brief presentation:
https://www.canva.com/design/DAGXxHcOjpk/FTp4xpFYDo4nE9N6WgWyjQ/view?utm_content=DAGXxHcOjpk&utm_campaign=designshare&utm_medium=link2&utm_source=uniquelinks&utlId=h6a09711bb3
Thank you!!
Be well and take care of yourself and others :)
It’s not just a highly engaging circus-themed school show! And it’s not a normal character education school assembly. While most character ed assemblies focus only on defining character traits and explaining how to use those traits, Diversity Circus goes much deeper. This powerful and effective character assembly will teach your students that every person belongs. “Be Fair, Be Aware, include others, and use Respect” are the four lessons students will learn during the Diversity Circus character education school assembly. This effective elementary character education program also covers Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s character message, Cultural Diversity, Diversity in the Classroom, Being Fair, and more. It’s a perfect program to honor the MLK Holiday, and Black History Month, and to support your school’s PBIS program and anti-bullying efforts. The Diversity Circus character school show uses TONS of audience participation, hilarious comedy, kooky characters, costumes, incredible one-of-a-kind magical illusions, and non-stop hysterical action to engage students and to keep kids talking long after the show is over.
I provide paintings, art prints, and photography services directly to clients. My work is featured in a number of private collections within (and beyond) Western New York. In 2016, I founded Avery & Harlow to grow my art business.
I have individual and commercial clients, including Meet & Eat Charcuterie, Magic Bear Beer Cellar, Frank Lloyd Wright's Martin House, Trocaire College, Canisius University, and TEAM VIA (New York City Real Estate Advisors). I've donated art to Lollypop Farm Humane Society of Greater Rochester, Massachusetts Avenue Project, Rochester Contemporary Art Center (as part of the 2023 and 2024 6x6 fundraiser exhibition) and the WNY Women's Foundation.
In addition, I'm a former instructor (specializing in business and marketing) for the Arts Management Program at University at Buffalo. I'm also a Teaching Artist and marketing consultant for GWFA Gallery in Hamburg, New York.
the gifford family theatre (GFT) at le moyne college has been presenting theatre for young audiences each may/june for over 20 years. GFT provides an opportunity for young people to experience the joy of live theatre in a professional yet intimate (under 200 seats) setting on le moyne's campus. one of the most memorable moments in a child's life is the first time they experience the excitement of live theatre. GFt combines that excitement and fun with character education, using live performances to bring lessons of character to life. our plays are generally adaptations of well known children's books, making it easy to tie the performances to your Ela/literacy curriculum.
Sandra K. Athans is an award-winning children’s author and a published literacy specialist with vast classroom experience.
Her children’s books represent a mix of playfulness, adventure, discovery, and fun! Her goal is to “glue” kids to her book’s pages with high-interest content that is full of page-turning wonder! In Tales from the Top of the World – Sandra shares nonfiction vignettes of her brother’s seven summits of Mt. Everest. In Secrets of the Sky Caves – she invites readers on scientific expeditions to remote cliff caves in Nepal. These are but two of her many works, which she shares with students in lively and engaging multi-media presentations. Sandra has written at every level, from early childhood fiction, through to award-winning middle grade nonfiction and above.
She is currently working on Chasing Curious Creatures, a playful nonfiction series about unusual animals and the scientists who study them (Astra Books for Children – 2025). Sandra also continues to publish teacher and student resources within the educational market and can provide reading/writing workshops for students and/or teachers along with her author visits.
For schools, community organizations, and other large groups, Stone Quarry offers artist-led experiences of the grounds that include making activities for students and adults. Stone Quarry’s teaching artists design experiences that are responsive and specific to your group’s interests. For an artist-led experience, we suggest a $15 per person donation or a pay-what-you-can sliding scale.
This program is an energetic and challenging fun exercise class that is especially designed for Grades Pre K-12 and special needs students. Our programs are infused with mental health exercises to help boost confidence and working together to reach a higher goal. They will learn about the functionality of muscles through our exercise routines and physical activities. Regular exercise can have a profoundly positive impact on depression, anxiety, ADHD, and more. It also relieves stress, improves memory, helps you sleep better, and boosts your overall mood.
Effective self-assessment is crucial for learning in the performing arts, and a high-quality recording of a stage production provides an invaluable reference once the performance is complete. Merelis Productions specializes in filling this need.
For over 25 years, our videographers have partnered with independent, charter, and public schools, as well as professional performing arts and regional theater organizations throughout the NYC tri-state area. We offer 2-camera videography and video editing for a variety of on-stage events, including musicals, plays, concerts, dances, graduations, and other presentations.
For each performance, we provide two expert videographers with cameras on tripods and strategically placed microphones. When available, we can also integrate a direct feed from your house sound reinforcement system to ensure the best possible audio mix for the final video. We deliver a 1080p digital video file that participants can use for self-assessment, and as demo footage for future auditions, artistic portfolios, and college applications.
With 25 years of experience recording events in school settings and over 275 productions annually, we are dedicated to providing recordings that reflect the effort invested in your productions. We would be delighted to collaborate with you to enhance your performers' self-assessment opportunities.