Young Audiences Arts for Learning New Jersey and Eastern PA Announces New Workshops

Young Audiences Arts for Learning (YA) is excited to welcome a new group of talented teaching artists to its roster and to announce new programs from existing roster artists.

As part of YA’s mission to inspire young people and expand their learning through the arts, these accomplished teaching artists will lead interactive assemblies and workshops in schools. The artists represent a wide range of talents and art forms.

Andrés Cisneros

Andrés Cisneros – Music

Latin Rhythms | Latin Rhythms is an engaging, hands-on percussion residency where students explore the foundational rhythms of Latin America while building creativity, collaboration, and cultural awareness through ensemble music-making. For grades K-12.

Hyun Jin Cha – Music

Hyun Jin Cha

Tta-Kung! Rhythm of Korea | Students experience traditional Korean percussion arts and culture. Participants have the opportunity to learn about and play Korean percussion instruments. They explore unique rhythms, musical compositions, and other various elements of performance such as costume colors, body gestures and Korean language. For grades K-12.

Existing roster artists who are offering new workshops include:

Molly Gaston Johnson – Visual Arts

Vessel as Metaphor

Pressing Pause: Observational Drawing | Develop drawing as an expressive, mental health, and community-building practice, unplugged from electronic input. Students engage with the real world around them as they seek out important places and things, record them in sketch form, and share their work. For grades 8-12.

Vessel as Metaphor | Boxes and bags transform through papier-mache into precious containers symbolizing the self. The perfect challenge for older students, this workshop invites them to consider the inner and outer self and to explore the possibility of change. Methods and materials focus on three-dimensional and symbolic thinking. For grades 6-12.

Rebecca Kelly – Visual Arts

Stitch a Symbol

Stitch a Symbol: Expression Identity Through Fabric | Students work with burlap fabric stretched on embroidery hoops to stitch a simple symbol. This symbol is chosen to represent each student’s identity, culture, or favorite activity, allowing for personal expression through textile art. For all grades

Ramya Ramnarayan – Dance

The Art of Bharatanatyam Dance

The Art of Bharatanatyam Dance | Students experience a combination of history, storytelling, movement, vocabulary, cultural history, and legacy. Through the traditions of Bharatanatyam dance, students engage with classical Indian music, rhythm, footwork, hand gestures (mudras), and eye movements to express story and emotions in powerful ways. For grades K-5.

YA’s artist roster is carefully vetted to ensure that our teaching artists are highly skilled professionals who both educate and excel in their art forms. Each artist undergoes a rigorous audition and review process, guaranteeing that schools receive the highest quality arts education experience. In addition, each artist collaborates with Young Audiences staff and school partners to ensure that schools receive programming that aligns with school priorities and needs.