Mandy McGee

Move & Speak: Practicing Language Through Movement (Pk-5th)

by Mandy McGee | Creative Movement/Dance, Elementary School, Lafayette Parish, Literary Arts, Paula Calderon, Single Session

Learning English as a second language and body movement come together in this session where participants go beyond everyday language acquisition. Students will increase vocabulary, strengthen English speaking and listening skills, and practice following directions through rhythm exercises, musical activities, games, and more. Bilingual reinforcement will be provided as needed, but movement and creative interactions will power the learning in a welcoming, supportive environment. Available in English & Spanish.

Integrating Phonics Instruction and Movement (Pk-3rd)

by Mandy McGee | Creative Movement/Dance, Elementary School, Lafayette Parish, Literary Arts, Paula Calderon, Single Session

Need to support phonics-based classroom goals? Want to engage students through movement, music, storytelling, and interactive arts?

In this session specially tailored for grades PK-3, students will practice early CKLA sounds, letter names, and phonemic recognition through creative movement. Rhythm activities, collaboration games, and storytelling exercises are all a part of this immersive and interactive experience for young language learners. Available in English & Spanish.

Stage the Lesson! Because Some Lessons Deserve a Standing Ovation (PK-12)

by Mandy McGee | Creative Movement/Dance, Elementary School, High School, Lafayette Parish, Middle School, Music, Paula Calderon, Single Session, Theatre

What if a lesson ended with a standing ovation? This Broadway musicals-inspired session blends choreography, interpretation, and drama with academic content. Students step into the spotlight by adapting lessons, concepts, songs, or movies into powerful scenes full of character, movement, and imagination. It’s a perfect entry point into physical expression, storytelling, design, and the joy of performing arts. If you need a new way of getting the point – or the facts – across, this session can do it for you. Available in English & Spanish.

Mermaid Music Showcase (PreK-3)

by Mandy McGee | Adaptable for Special Education, Creative Movement/Dance, Elementary School, Iberia Parish, Lafayette Parish, Mini-Presentation, Music, Single Session, Social Emotional Learning, St. Landry Parish, St. Martin Parish, Susan Buller Grain, Vermilion Parish

The Mermaid Music Showcase is an interactive music and movement experience that introduces students to rhythm, singing, creative expression, listening skills, and musical storytelling through an imaginative under-the-sea adventure. Students actively participate by singing, echoing rhythms, moving with the music, and creating sound together using age-appropriate activities that encourage confidence, cooperation, creativity, and self-expression. Each presentation is designed for Pre-K through elementary students and aligns with arts education goals by strengthening musical awareness, focus, imagination, and group participation. No advance preparation is required, but teachers are encouraged to enjoy the experience alongside their students.

Science Investigations and Creative Movement (2-12)

by Mandy McGee | Creative Movement/Dance, Elementary School, High School, Lafayette Parish, Middle School, Mini-Presentation, Music, Paula Calderon, Science, Single Session, Theatre

If your classroom scientists need a new way to approach a project or review content, consider adding the magic of music and movement. Scientific investigations take on new form in this imaginative and interactive session. Storytelling, rhythm games, and dance meet the scientific method in an experience that makes the lesson stick. Available in English & Spanish.

Ocean Calm: A Mermaid Music Sound Bath (4-12)

by Mandy McGee | Adaptable for Special Education, Elementary School, High School, Iberia Parish, Lafayette Parish, Middle School, Music, Single Session, Social Emotional Learning, St. Landry Parish, St. Martin Parish, Susan Buller Grain, Vermilion Parish

The Ocean Calm introduces students to the calming sounds of instruments from around the world, including crystal and Tibetan singing bowls, harp, gong, chimes, and other peaceful percussion. Students begin with a brief demonstration of each instrument, learning how sound and vibration can encourage relaxation, focused listening, and emotional regulation. They are then invited to sit comfortably or lie quietly while experiencing a guided sound bath designed to promote calm, imagination, and mindful awareness. No prior experience or preparation is required, and teachers are welcome to relax and enjoy the experience alongside their students while providing normal classroom supervision. Students need to wear comfortable clothing and have enough space to sit or lie down comfortably.

Global Louisiana: Cultures Without Borders (K-12)

by Mandy McGee | Adaptable for Special Education, Chris Lemelle & ShaRhonda Joseph, Creative Movement/Dance, Elementary School, High School, Louisiana, Middle School, Mini-Presentation, Music, St. Landry Parish, St. Martin Parish, Vermilion Parish

Louisiana culture doesn’t stop at state lines – it travels the world! Through Zydeco dance and stories of international festivals, students will see how Creole traditions are shared across borders, building connections with cultures around the globe while keeping Louisiana’s spirit front and center.

Inside the Recording Studio (1-12)

by Mandy McGee | Art History, Elementary School, High School, Iberia Parish, Jeremy Benoit "JB Saax", Lafayette Parish, Middle School, Mini-Presentation, Music, St. Landry Parish, St. Martin Parish, Vermilion Parish

Jeremy Benoit, aka “JB Saax,” takes students through a journey of the professional recording artist/studio engineer. Students will be exposed to basic, intermediate, and advanced recording techniques and will even be granted the opportunity to record their own personal soundtrack. This course gives exposure to music industry standard operations and provides insight on how professional entertainers integrated these systems into their everyday lives.

Festivals in Motion: Celebrating Louisiana Traditions (K-12)

by Mandy McGee | Adaptable for Special Education, Chris Lemelle & ShaRhonda Joseph, Creative Movement/Dance, Elementary School, High School, Louisiana, Middle School, Mini-Presentation, Music, St. Landry Parish, St. Martin Parish, Vermilion Parish

Bring the excitement of a Louisiana festival straight into the classroom! Students will experience the sights and sounds of celebrations like Festival International and Festivals Acadiens et Créoles, where dance, music, and tradition fill the streets. They’ll join the fun through Zydeco dance while discovering how festivals keep culture alive.

World Rhythms & Culture: Travel the Map Through Traditional Music & Dance (K-12)

by Mandy McGee | Creative Movement/Dance, Elementary School, Heritage Months/Celebrations, Lafayette Parish, Middle School, Paula Calderon, Single Session, Social Studies

Step off the map and into motion! In this high-energy, immersive arts session, students take a kinetic journey around the globe—exploring diverse cultures, languages, and traditions through the universal power of dance, music, rhythm, and storytelling. Rather than just studying a map or memorizing vocabulary, in this session students embody the concepts. They will move through global dance forms, practice world language phrases through rhythmic call-and-response, analyze how geography shapes cultural expression, and collaborate on original movement pieces that honor global traditions. With a dash of folklore, history, and prop work added to the mix, this session is rich in options and opportunities. Prepare for a lesson with cross-curricular connections between Social Studies, World Languages, Geography, and Global Studies standards that also fosters empathy, cultural awareness, and creative collaboration. This session can be tailored to align with specific world regions, language immersion units, or school-wide multicultural celebrations, so please check in with the artist if you would like to customize.

ADDITIONAL ARTS IN EDUCATION RESOURCES