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Advancing a Step Curriculum

In this professional learning workshop Soul Steps company member and founder Maxine Lyle will guide dance educators to experience the stomps, claps, and dynamic rhythms of the rich African American cultural tradition known as step. Educators will  use their bodies to create hip-hop infused rhythms through foundational step choreography. They will also examine step’s early […]

Folk Music, Ear Training & Musical Games

Musiquita is a bilingual (English/Spanish) interactive educational music experience made of the wife/husband duo features Blanca Cecilia González (violin/voice/uke/percussion) and Jesse Elder (piano/vocals/percussion/melodica). In this professional learning multilingual Spanish/English speaking musicians  Blanca Cecila Gonzalez (violin, uke, percussion) & Jesse Elder (piano, vocals, percussion & melodica) will guide teachers in a variety of general music methodologies […]

The Fundamentals of Puerto Rican Folkloric Music: la Bomba y la Plena

This workshop, taught in both Spanish and English, provides educators with a fundamental understanding of Afro-Puerto Rican dance and drum culture through the rich musical heritage of Bomba y Plena. Educators will engage with Bomba y Plena’s history and culture and gain insight into how it is used to nourish resistance, healing, and community celebrations. […]

Rhythm: The Lost Language Professional Learning

In this program educators will learn to collaborate with acclaimed tap dancer and choreographer Maurice Chestnut to develop an understanding of the complex history of tap dance as a distinctly African American art form rooted in diasporic traditions. Educators will gain a clear understanding of the influences of tap including, African djembe rhythms, as well […]

The Stories of Quilts – Professional Learning

This workshop will introduce participants to the world of quilting. Participants will see and feel Steven’s quilts, and learn about the history of quilting and a variety of ways quilts are used (wall hangings, lap quilts, beds, clothing. etc.) Participants will be introduced to a small quilting project emphasizing the personalization of their quilt square. […]

Let’s Get Animated: Professional Learning

Do you love Pixar, Disney, or anything animated? Then this is the class for you! In this beginner’s animation course, students learn the basics of 2D animation using some of the 9 principles established by classic Disney animators. Through a series of projects, students learn how to bring their drawings – and their imaginations – […]

The Art of Playing Together

In this professional learning workshop educators will enhance their abilities, skills, and repertoire to create culturally inclusive learning environments through the exploration of “percussion of the world”. World percussion is a fundamental guiding principle that teaching artist Hector Morales calls “The Art Of Playing Together.”  Because the percussion ensemble offers multiple opportunities for students to […]

Songs in the Key of Love+Unity

Historically general and instrumental music education in the United States has been influenced most by Western and European cultural traditions and art. This in-person two-part workshop will be a dynamic experience designed to help teachers, administrators, and music and instrumental instructors enhance music instruction from a student-centered, diverse, and culturally responsive lens. Educators will: Experience […]