TEACHING ARTIST SESSION CATEGORIES
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.
Join Crawfish and friends for a toe-tappin’, hand-clappin’ Zydeco adventure straight from the heart of Louisiana! In this interactive session, kids sing, dance, and laugh their way through fun YouTube hits like “Zydeco 123,” “Crawfish Shuffle,” “Don’t Eat My Fruit Loops,” and more. Each song brings a mix of rhythm, storytelling, and movement, while teaching children about Louisiana culture, Creole roots, and the joy of Zydeco music.
Ready to make your own music? Music Production 101: Recording & Producing a Song is a fun, hands-on course where kids learn how to create songs from start to finish! Students will explore recording voices and instruments, making beats, adding cool sounds, and putting it all together to make a real song. At the end of the session, students will create a full composition using everyday school items—like pencils, desks, and chairs—and will turn your classroom into a musical playground!
Ready for a needle drop? This session takes a deep dive into the beginnings of DJing and its contribution to culture. Musicality and music theory are discussed from a DJ’s point of view. Various Turntablism techniques that include mixing, scratching, beat juggling, and body tricks will be demonstrated live for the audience! This unique program can be scaled up or down to fit the space provided, so please communicate with the artist about tailoring your presentation to your needs.
This program breaks down the four elements of Hip-Hop culture which are: DJing, Graffiti, MCing and Breakdancing. If booked during February (Black History Month), an additional discussion of Hip-Hop’s importance to Black History is added. The goal of this program is to explain how Hip-Hop is more than just a genre of music and provide some history on the culture. Everything discussed will be demonstrated LIVE!
It’s Breakdancing 101! Take a deep dive into the history of Breakdancing and discuss some musical history relative to the dance. Then, it’s time to get active! Various dance moves and styles will be demonstrated live for the audience. A dance workshop makes up the majority of this session so a gym, cafeteria or similar space is required.
In this innovative session, the elements of Hip-Hop culture are used to address the different types of bullying present in the lives of today’s youth. The overall theme is “Bullying Ends After Talking,” which allows students to express their personal experiences, concerns, and maybe even share some advice for their fellow peers while they are guided and entertained along the way. The entertainment elements of DJing, MCing, and Breakdancing are performed live for the audience throughout the show. This is a social and emotional journey, and a musical one as well!
Ready, Clave, Go! Discover the rhythmic heartbeat of Latin and Afro-Cuban music in this high-energy, interactive session. Students will learn the foundational clave rhythm (traditionally counted as 1-2-3-12) using authentic wooden percussion sticks. This session bridges the gap between live percussion and modern street dance, demonstrating how this ancestral pulse heavily influences house dance and hip-hop foundations.
It’s a musical storytime! Author Theresa Singleton will read her book Zydeco Zoom to students and discuss Zydeco music, musicians and important Zydeco instruments. Students will be taught the “Zoom dance” too!
Louisiana life will come to life in this session with author Theresa Singleton! Theresa will share two of her books in interactive fashion with unique accompanying songs and movement. Through Grandfather Lee and the Bees and Pierre’s Empty Pouch, children will learn facts about Louisiana, their lovely and culturally rich home state!