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.
Diversity Circus
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.
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
Jeff Boyer's Big Bubble Bonanza
Bubble rainbows with people inside, audience members making volcano bubbles, gigantic bubbles that blow their own bubbles?
See the newest, funniest, zany spectacular from world-famous, Guinness Book of World Records-holding, master bubble wrangler Jeff Boyer, as he takes bubbles to the max with big bubble flair.
Mixing comedy, music, this highly interactive, sensory friendly bubble show meets next generation science standards grades PK-6.
Jeff engages and delights audiences of all ages.
Fun With Energy
The science of energy is as fun as it gets!
Jeff Boyer shows kids that energy is what makes our world work, through carefully laid out activities illustrating the laws and forces which govern the world around us. Jeff takes audiences on an exciting energy filled ride they’ll always remember. He brings kids right up on stage for interactive demonstrations that entertain and amaze!
Meets Next Generation Science Standards Grades K-5
The Children’s Food Lab brings food and nutrition education to schools throughout the NYC and Mid-Hudson region. The Children’s Food Lab (CFL) offers food arts and sciences discovery labs, where curious minds of all ages can connect to the transformative power of food — food that is integral to the health of their bodies, minds, communities, and environment.
CFL labs are hands-on, multi-sensory with a STEAM-based approached. They incorporate science, technology, math, nutrition, social studies, ELA, and the arts whenever possible. Students learn the incredible stories behind ingredients they eat all the time, foods like corn, wheat, milk, eggs, herbs, oats, vegetables, spices, cacao, and on. Students explore how food is grown, processed, and prepared, as well as how their food choices affect the health of their bodies and environment. The context and backstory of each ingredient creates a deeper connection between students and their food – a connection that will last a lifetime and shape the course of a child’s health and well-being.
Nick Scott, motivational speaker, inspires students with his journey, emphasizing the importance of starting right. His programs cultivate leadership, teamwork, and decision-making skills, empowering students to make meaningful contributions. Learning outcomes focus on self-esteem, respect, and courage. Nick engages students at all levels, instilling the belief that education is key to achieving dreams. His 45-50 minute assembly promotes kindness by helping students to understand that it’s OK to be Different!
Go beyond the book and enrich student learning experiences with dynamic school assemblies by author Maria Dismondy.
Maria has written over a dozen books on social emotional learning. Her most recent book includes bucket filling and was co-authored with Carol McCloud. Maria's programs are age-appropriate discussions centered around children’s literature and encourage peer interaction as well as crowd participation. All sessions are 45 minutes except for Kindergarten and Preschool programs, which are 30 minutes. Books are available for purchase during visits but not required.
Assembly Themes:
-Bucketfilling
-You do You (Character traits & Friendships)
-Growth Mindset
-Operation Sunshine (Giving your Time, Talent & Treasures)
-Literacy (Writing & Reading Skills)
-Character Development
Hi There! I’m an Author-Illustrator of Graphic Novels, Picture Books and Recycled Art Building Books for grades K-8.
You can book a Workshop, Assembly OR create an immersive “Comics" or "Steam Invention Day” for students with guided sessions and worksheets.
TOPICS INCLUDE:
• Creating CHARACTERS for Comics
• Building STEAM Projects from Recyclables
• Tips and Techniques for GRAPHIC NOVELS
• My Work Process from IDEA to Story to BOOK
Students will learn my journey from childhood artist to the published author and illustrator of seven books.
Brian Yanish
Children’s Author / Illustrator / Maker
*2023 NYSCATE Student STEAM Fest KEYNOTE Speaker
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“You will not find a more talented and collaborative presenter for your next author visit or Maker Space today.“
-Tammy Pulver, SLMS, Lima Primary School, Lima, NY
For PreK-6th Grade: Tri-Cities Opera Opera invites you to the farm, where most of the animals like things to be ‘normal and pretty’–not noisy or different! When the new ducklings hatch, there is one ‘ugly duckling’ who doesn’t fit in with the others and spends her days reading by herself. But when a big, bad wolf comes on the scene, it will take someone like the ugly duckling–who has learned about big, bad wolves in her stories–to outwit him and teach the whole farm about the value of being true to yourself.
Named as a nod to Binghamton’s famous carousels, Opera-Go-Round has been delivering the excitement of a fully-staged children’s opera to schools throughout New York State and northern Pennsylvania for nearly 50 years. Students engage with our singers and pianist to explore this unique art form with stories connected to curriculum standards and take away valuable social-emotional learning lessons. The program includes a 35-minute performance and 15-minute question and answer session with the Opera-Go-Round team. Dates are available from late September 2024 through May 2025. Contact ogr@tricitiesopera.org for more information or to schedule your performance! Cost: $1,400 within 50 miles of TCO Opera Center, $1,500 over 50 miles from TCO Opera Center.
For Middle & High School Groups: TCO is excited to offer free tickets for your group to attend any of our mainstage productions. The Magic Flute (Sept 6 & 8, 2024) is an abridged version of a Mozart favorite. All Is Calm (Nov 15, 16, & 17, 2024) tells the story of the WWI Christmas truce. A Grand Night for Singing (Mar 8, 2025) includes favorites from Rogers and Hammerstein. Rigoletto (Apr 27, 2025) will be a grand version of a Verdi masterpiece. Contact operations@tricitiesopera.org to reserve your bloc of seats!
The NYC based dance crew provides a 30 minute non-stop, interactive showcase of their high energy dance choreography that engages and entertains the students.
There is a 15 minute lecture period afterwards which discusses spotting and stopping bullying, respecting yourself and others, taking responsibility for your actions and leading a positive life.
Anything is possible with hard work, an education and focusing on what you can bring to this world that no one else can.
Storm King Art Center is a 500-acre outdoor museum located in the Hudson Valley, where visitors experience large-scale sculpture and site-specific commissions under open sky. Storm King offers discounted group admission for 12 or more people from schools, businesses, non-profit organizations, and tourism groups. We are pleased to offer free admission to schools that receive Title I funding, as well as all public schools from Orange, Putnam, Dutchess, Ulster, and Sullivan counties.
An 8-week, high-engagement enrichment intensive that empowers students to find their voice through the art of filmmaking.
Social-Emotional Growth: The cooperation nature of the process requires students to practice empathy, active listening, and conflict resolution during the high-stakes production phase.
Confidence Through Creation: By moving a project from a blank page to a public screening, students develop the belief that they can tackle complex, long-term goals.
Career & Technical Foundations: Students gain early exposure to digital media careers, developing a portfolio-ready short film and a foundational understanding of the digital arts.
I offer four topics for my School Assembly Programs. Below are details about my Reading, Dental Hygiene, Ocean Sciences and Social Awareness Programs.
1. Sugar Bug Showdown: Elementary schools that engage my services for the ‘Sugar Bug Showdown‘ performance consistently request my return every third year to do it again. They want to be sure each child in kindergarten through 3rd grade gets the benefit of this unforgettable lesson in good dental hygiene. Your students will learn the right way to brush their teeth (even adults get it wrong!), why dental hygiene is so important, and much more. Dental Hygienists can give the facts, but nobody will motivate or help them remember those facts like Pipsqueak! To ramp up the fun, we demonstrate flossing using kids dressed as teeth. Another segment features caped cavity-defenders in an epic battle against sugar bugs. Here are some additional highlights:
How much toothpaste to use
How often to brush and proper techniques
How cavities & plaque form
How “sugar bugs” hurt your teeth
Why a healthy diet matters
2. Reading is an Adventure: This program is perfect for PARP (Pick A Reading Partner) or Read Across America incentives. Specific children’s books are referenced & highlighted. My job with this show is to get your students excited about reading. I periodically change the lineup, but the main messages are:
Curiosity fuels invention
Reading is an adventure
Readers are leaders
3. Kindness Quest: This program fits Respect Week and Character Education incentives like a glove! The following key themes are woven throughout:
Friendship
Kindness
Respect
Appreciating differences
Sharing
4. Waves of Fun: Oceans of Possibilities is a STEM school assembly that sparks an interest in learning about ocean sciences. Students in kindergarten through fifth grade will be motivated to learn about the amazing things that can be found in the ocean. The program is curated to add more advancing educational content at upper grade levels with marine biology, geology, and ecology professions showcased for the 5th grade. We’ll even use your own school library books in the magic performance! Laugh your way through the “silliest, goofiest, wackiest treasure hunt in the world!” Meet a very intelligent seal who does tricks. Of course, Vern (the bird) will make an appearance. This program is unique and so much fun! It is designed for students K-5th grade.