Cartooning, character design, storytelling for comic books, comic strips and graphic design. Interactive group projects and an overall positive environment for children to be creative with no judgement.

David Gonzalez, PhD. has had a long life of creating content and performing for young audiences. He has a YouTube channel on which you can explore featuring his many offerings for kids K-12 and covering a number of topics. He has a show titled " Finding North" about the underground railroad, and the present day migrant issues. Aesop Bops! is for the youngest, Cuentos: Tales from the LatinX World is for grades 2-5 in which he offers some bi-lingual interactions with the students, Maddog and Me: Bullying and the Power of Kindness is for middle schoolers. David also creates performances for general audiences. Please contact manager Sandra Peevers for more information, video links, etc. and to discuss availability and fee. David tours countrywide, so identifying your dates early is recommended. David also offers Teacher Development courses as well as workshops for kids. DAVID GONZALEZ - BIOGRAPHY Storyteller/musician/poet/playwright David Gonzalez, Ph.D received the Lifetime Achievement Award from International Performing Arts for Youth, and was nominated for a Drama Desk Award for his original production of “The Frog Bride” at Broadway’s New Victory Theater. Mr. Gonzalez was named a Fellow of the Joseph Campbell Foundation and was the host of New York Kids on WNYC for eight seasons. He wrote Rise for Freedom!, an opera libretto commissioned and produced by the Cincinnati Opera, and Mariel, an Afro-Cuban musical which won the Macy’s “New Play Prize for Young Audiences”. Mr. Gonzalez' poetry has been featured at Lincoln Center's Out-of-Doors Festival, Bill Moyers' documentary Fooling with Words on PBS, and NPR's All Things Considered. His performance poem, Oh Hudson, was commissioned by the Empire State Plaza Performing Arts Center to commemorate the Quadri-centennial of Henry Hudson’s exploration. He is the author of numerous plays and one-man shows including: The Boy Who Could Sing Pictures, Aesop Bops!, Double Crossed: The Saga of the St. Louis, As If The Past Were Listening, MytholoJazz, Maddog and Me, Wounded Splendor, Finding North, City of Dreams, Sofrito!, The Carnival of the Animals, The Man of the House, and Sleeping Beauty which have been presented at many of the best performing arts centers, theaters, and festivals in the US and abroad. David was a featured performer at the National Storytelling Festival and received his doctorate from New York University's School of Education. Mr. Gonzalez is bi-lingual and is the Artistic Director for the Crisalida Communications, a company that consults on arts outreach to theaters and community organizations. For schools, David's main shows are: Aesop Bops!, Cuentos: Tales from the LatinX World, Maddog and Me: Bullying and the Power of Kindness, and Finding North.

After retiring from teaching at the elementary level for 25 years, I decided I still wanted to teach. So, my love for nature and children led me in the direction of writing fictional animal based stories based on facts. I offer school wide readings, as well as class presentations. Depending on the program requested, I also offer activities (crafts and games) as well as some science based videos to aid in the presentation. Book signings are always provided for books purchased before or during the special book talk day. Books are: The Flamingo With Two Left Feet Amari’s BIG Surprise…It’s NOT Monkey Bread! We Can...and We Do!

Explore Books on a Reading Safari. Finally – an elementary reading school assembly show that’s really about reading and language arts – and a lot of fun, too! Adventures in Reading is not another thinly disguised magic or puppet show that briefly mentions books. Instead, it’s a highly energetic, motivational program that’s received rave reviews from countless teachers and librarians. During the zany 40-minute reading safari, our hero, Ed Venture, helps students discover that reading leads to many rewards. The Adventure Includes: Sentence Structure | Punctuation | Story Parts | Spelling | The Alphabet | Word Games | Book Genres | Benefits of Reading.

Kelly de la Rocha is a poet, journalist and founder of poem RENOVATION, a fun, web-based word challenge that promotes literacy, creativity and social-emotional learning. The software was a prize-winner at the 2024 Yale Innovation Summit. Every day, poem RENOVATION presents users with a scrambled snippet of literature. They select words that resonate with them, then move them around on a digital canvas. The rules? There are none. The objective? To create. During her lively, interactive workshops, Kelly details how poem RENOVATION came to be and how it works. Students have an opportunity to create a poem, phrase and/or word art on the site, share their creations, and receive positive feedback. Along the way, constructs including perspective, voice and figurative language are discussed. Poem RENOVATION has been used by hundreds of students from New York to California and has become a favorite, ongoing activity in a number of classrooms. Workshops: *Are appropriate for middle and high school classes *Can be personalized to include literature of the teacher’s choice *Are offered in-person or via video call WHAT EDUCATORS ARE SAYING: “The level of confidence that I saw grow in my students was amazing, from not being willing to share to being willing to share, from sitting quietly and not saying much, to offering a compliment or asking a question to better understand one of their peers.” ~Teacher Valerie Wadsworth, O’Rourke Middle School, Burnt Hills, NY They’re loving it! ~Teacher Renee Duran, Stone Valley Middle School, Alamo, CA It empowered them and it brought them to a place where they wanted to share what they made and they love that their creation was never wrong. I think that was what really made the students feel so special and so willing.” ~Teacher Dena Marie de la Rocha, Gowana Middle School, Clifton Park, NY “I immediately understood the impact it could have on public school children’s literacy and social-emotional development. ~Lauren B. Carpenter, Ed.M, Director of Education Programs, Albertus Magnus College, New Haven, CT

Anita Sanchez is an award-winning author of books on science and nature for young readers. She offers school programs on the challenges and adventures of researching and writing about the natural world.

Traveling shop class is a unique program that makes wood working accessible and safe for students grades PreK-8. Students learn about a trade that is both a career and an art form. Students get to make wood sculptures with specialized tools in a safe environment; all materials and supplies provided. With guidance and one-on-one attention, students will design and create their own unique wood sculpture to make and keep. Traveling shop class easily aligns with any visual arts curriculum addressing goals for sculpture, critical thinking and problem solving, culture and careers. Traveling shop class addresses the NYS standards for the visual arts for creating and connecting. Students will generate and conceptualize artistic ideas and work. They will organize and develop their ideas and work experimenting with forms, materials and artmaking approaches, balancing experimentation with safety and responsibility, while interacting in ways that enhance and empower their lives. Through artmaking students develop awareness, knowledge and experiences, and solve artistic problems. Part of the traveling shop class presentation is about environmental conservation which has cross curricular connections to science goals for habitats. 21st Century Skills such as critical thinking, creativity, social skills, communication, flexibility, problem solving, productivity, adaptability, curiosity and imagination, self-direction and perseverance are embedded as students plan and build, share, take turns, make corrections, and practice safety. Traveling shop class programming is easily adaptable for unique school-wide or individual class experiences including a modified format to be inclusive of all abilities.

Fun and learning go hand-in-hand when you book a fall field trip to Ellms Family Farm. Pick pumpkins, explore a maze, attend the educational “chicken show”, and so much more. Students from pre-k and elementary school, all the way through sixth grade, enjoy the mix of agricultural learning experiences and old-fashioned barnyard fun.

Student or Teacher Raku Pottery Workshops Are you interested in doing raku firing with student artwork? Interested in a teacher raku firing day? I bring the firing to you! Contact me for information about how to set up a day-long visit.

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!

Picture this: laughter echoing through the trees during spirited team building games, the pride of a child as they climb to the top of a rock wall, and the serenity of hiking along winding trails to discover cascading waterfalls and enchanting forests. At Frost Valley, we weave magic into every moment, crafting a truly unforgettable experience for every guest. Within our program, we celebrate every milestone and cherish every shared smile. Our dedicated Outdoor Instructors are more than just educators—they are role models, companions, and guides. Their mission is to spark meaningful connections within your group and inspire a profound bond with the natural world. We passionately believe in the power of outdoor education, now more than ever. Our science curriculum is designed to kindle student’s curiosity, empower their critical thinking, and deepen their understanding of the environment and their place within it. As you explore the wonders of nature, you are invited to awaken your inner adventurer. Conquer our exhilarating high ropes courses, glide across Lake Cole in a canoe, and build a fire from scratch—each activity a gateway to self-discovery and empowerment. Beyond the thrill, it’s about uncovering the extraordinary found within every individual. Frost Valley is more than a field trip; it is a safe space where friendships blossom, memories are etched in time, and hearts are forever touched. We invite you to delve into the enclosed materials for a glimpse into the magic that awaits you through Frost Valley YMCA’s Outdoor School Programs.

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.