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.

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.

Offering interactive performances for PreK-Kindergarten and songwriting workshops grades K-5

Art Travelers through Time: Literacy and History through Art - Provides third grade students and teachers the opportunity to connect their classroom study of "Communities Around the World" to authentic cultural artifacts from the museum's large and diverse collection. Artifacts represent cultures in Africa, Asia, Melanesia, Central and South America. Artifacts Alive! Students in grades 3-5 engage with authentic artifacts from around the world and are immersed in deep exploration of communities and culture. Artifacts represent cultures in Africa, Asia, Melanesia, Central and South America. Exhibition Based Field Trips - for students in PK-12. Students engage in close-looking at art from our rotating exhibitions using an inquiry-based approach. These sessions can be thematic, focused on fine arts/technique or both! Professional Development (In Person and Virtual) - for PK-12 educators. Sessions include hands-on approaches to supporting NY State Standards using art and artifacts. Each session is tailored to meet the needs of faculty and staff - and most appropriate for Arts Educators, ELA, Social Studies.

Fort Field Trip Bring history to life for your students with an unforgettable field trip to Fort William Henry Museum in Lake George, NY. Your students will step back in time as they explore a real 18th-century military fort and learn about the pivotal role it played during the French and Indian War. Our expert fort interpreters, dressed in period uniforms, will engage students with captivating stories and interactive demonstrations, making history both exciting and accessible. Through immersive storytelling, they’ll highlight how the events at Fort William Henry contributed to the eventual defeat of the French in North America, and how this conflict set the stage for the American Revolution. What to expect during your visit: Interactive Learning: Fort interpreters will link the events of the French and Indian War to the larger context of American history, showing students how the outcomes of this conflict directly influenced the colonies’ path toward independence. Live Demonstrations: Students will witness the dramatic loading and firing of a musket and cannon, giving them a powerful glimpse into 18th-century warfare and the skills soldiers needed to survive. Explore the Museum and Exhibits: After the demonstrations, students can wander through the fort’s museum buildings, where they’ll encounter exhibits filled with fascinating artifacts that tell the story of life at this remote outpost. From soldiers’ daily routines to the strategies that shaped battles, these displays offer a comprehensive look at military life on the frontier. Learn About Native American History: In addition to military history, students will explore the rich cultural heritage of the Native American peoples who lived in the region long before European settlement. Exhibits featuring artifacts, tools, and artwork provide a deeper understanding of their way of life and their role in the conflict between European powers. Scavenger Hunt: To enhance their experience, students will receive a scavenger hunt sheet that encourages them to find key information and artifacts throughout the fort. This fun and educational activity ensures that they stay engaged and curious as they explore. This field trip to Fort William Henry provides a unique opportunity for students to experience history firsthand, fostering a deeper understanding of the events that shaped the early American colonies. Combining live demonstrations, immersive storytelling, and hands-on learning, this trip is designed to inspire curiosity and a love of history in students of all ages. Reserve Your Trip Now!

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.

MUSIC OF THE EARTH - A Celebration of World Cultures and Our Planet! Mysterious, exciting, information-packed! World cultures come alive through the powerful vibrations of exotic instruments from around the globe. Unique, interactive assemblies with giant drums, crystal singing bowls, Australian didgeridoos, Chinese gongs, Native American flutes and chants, Indian snake charmer, Aztec wind whistle, Scottish Bagpipes, and much more! Special programs available for Halloween, Thanksgiving, Winter Solstice, Earth Week (April) and St. Patrick’s Day.

At STEAM Fund (Siegal Trust Enriching Arts & Music) at Community Foundation of Sullivan County, we are dedicated to enriching lives through our diverse Arts In Education programs. Our programs cater to Pre-K, Elementary, Middle & High School children, as well as adults, focusing on essential topics such as Social Emotional Learning, Mindfulness, Health, Anti-Bullying, Coping Strategies, Nutrition, Diversability, and core values like Love, Peace, Equality, Brotherhood, and Sisterhood. STEAM Fund collaborates closely with public school administrators, principals, teachers, and various organizations to bring these impactful programs to schools and organizations. Our experienced teaching artists ensure the delivery of high-quality programs that resonate with individuals through arts and music. STEAM offers the following: ASSEMBLY PROGRAMS: Mindfulness Matters, Nutrition Mission, Do The Right Thing, The Golden Rule Show, Happy Holidays Around The World, Alive Again SONGWRITING PROGRAMS: Theatre Within’ John Lennon Real Love Project, Real Food Rules Song Program, Sing About Learning Program WORKSHOPS/RESIDENCY PROGRAMS: Mindfulness in Motion, Self Care ABCs for Students PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT: Self Care for You & Your Students, Move It Or Lose It, Integrating Care, Music & Motion, Stress Reduction Through Mindfulness & Breathing Exercise If you are an administrator, educator, or part of the PTA/PTO, contact us today to discover how we can introduce these exceptional programs to your school and community. Let’s work together to inspire, educate, and uplift through the power of Arts in Education.

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 offer an entertaining and educational group presentation, Mind, Body and Spirit, focused on how I develop the Mind, the Body and the Spirit for success. I perform poetry from my books and show each attribute's role in my life and work. There is no audience size limit. I also offer poetry and photography workshops and a popular new addition, Becoming a Ninja: The Secret to My Success, which focuses on goal setting and achievement. Due to the participatory nature of the workshops, participant size is limited to 30 students. I can also do virtual visits, which can be customized to your needs.

Dumpster Doug travels the earth searching for the sources of air, land and water pollution and then shows K-6th graders that small changes make a huge difference when it comes to protecting the earth’s natural resources. Students learn about the 4 R’s: Reduce, Reuse, Recycle and Read so they too can become Eco-Superstars in the funniest and most magical environmental assembly show your school will ever see! Watch a dirty soda can become brand new and filled with soda as it is magically recycled in just 30 seconds. Witness trash being turned into useful products instantly as it enters a recycling bin and see a scrap of paper turned into something valuable (a one-hundred-dollar bill) instead of being tossed aside. Tons of audience participation keeps kids on the edge of their seats while the teachers laugh along with all the great lessons. It’s the perfect assembly show for Earth Day celebrations or anytime of the year. Support your Green School goals and give your students a resource conservation show they will talk about for months on end with the Dumpster Doug Ecology Show.

Brent Daniels is an entertainment industry veteran and award-winning music producer who uses the latest technology to sculpt sound and create music for Marvel Studios, Disney Studios, Netflix, Activision, Epic Records, and many more. His Virtual Music Technology assembly shows K-12 students how their everyday devices are used by professionals to create the music and sounds they love, and how they can do it too! Prepare to have your perception of virtual assemblies changed! Virtual Music Technology is a one-of-a-kind education and entertainment experience in which student volunteers contribute in real-time (rapping, shouting, singing) and help Brent create music on the spot. By the end of the show, your whole school will be up and dancing!