This directory of artists, presenters and vendors is for contact information only. Please note that all approvals are determined by individual BOCES and/or District criteria and do not guarantee acceptance of proposed contracts.
The UP Guys
Nurture fun, character, wellness, reading, STEAM, and more with The UP Guys! Nels Ross and Richie Derwald uplift and empower through elementary, middle, and high school assemblies as well as staff development.
They have shared 2500+ solo or duo programs to rave reviews from schools, arts centers, libraries, recreation, museums, and others. Applying their diverse training in theater, variety arts, music, and education, they promote laughter and learning!
See www.theupguys.com/teaching-artists for more.
THE WESTERN NEW YORK BOOK ARTS CENTER promotes greater understanding of printing and book-related arts through education, creation, and exhibition for a broad and diverse community. Located in the heart of downtown Buffalo, just a block away from the downtown library, our Center is a vibrant place of creativity! We boast a rotating gallery showcasing the work of local artists working in book & printmaking, an artisan shop representing 75+ regional artists, stocked with handmade wares like handprinted cards, posters, apparel and handmade books of all kinds. The gem of our center is ouR studio, where we host hands-on origami & hand stitched bookmaking workshops, and classes in screen print and letterpress printing by hand on our antique presses - for students of all ages. create a letterpress printed poster with your own custom saying, hand-print a t-shirt or tote bag with your custom design, or bind a handmade journal to use back in the school classroom! in classes students will learn about the history of the craft they're engaging with, and work with specialty artists' tools to create a work of art by hand from start to finish.
We offer a one of a kind school mural program where the students are centered in the work and entire process from brainstorming to final painting. Our mural process involves a brainstorming session where we have the students drawing and coming up with ideas that touch on the theme that is chosen by their school. We then take those drawings and create a digital sketch using the actual drawings from the students. We involve every student from the school in the painting process so that they are able to have ownership and a hand in the creative process. Our unique approach creates a sense of joy and excitement for all participating students and staff as we are able to transform these hallways into large colorful pieces of public art that have an authentic student look and feel to them. We make sure that the final outcome looks professional and clean while still elevating student work from the paper to the wall. We have painted with over 7000 students in the past 2 years creating about 25 murals!
We also offer a variety of arts based hands on workshops crafted for all age groups like mask making, printmaking, paper pulp sculptures, paper mache and much more!
Wendy and DB Duo and Band - Get your Sunny Side UP with Grammy nominated and award-winning kindie duo from Chicago, with two vocals, guitar and a ukulele, Wendy and DB blend their powerful voices, write and perform songs about science, nature, diversity, animals, safety, and the arts. Their unique style is reflected in the music and catchy lyrics along with their vocal harmonies. They examine the world with curiosity and what you experience is just plain fun! Wendy and DB Pioneers of Blues for kids and families concerts are high energy and get everyone moving, singing, and dancing.
Grammy Nominated in 2023 in the Best Children’s category for their album “Into the Little Blue House” a blues album for children and families.
“Get your Sunny Side Side UP” is the bands 8th album filled with positive pop songs that will light up the whole neighbor with sunshine.
Unlike any of the other magic shows! The Laugh Factory is the best comical magic show for schools and camps that you’ll ever see! It’s hysterical for your students, and also funny, engaging, and entertaining for your teachers and school staff. Stinky Sneakers, a Giant Pair of Underpants, exploding pop cans, and a short round of basketball (with toilet paper!), are just a little bit of the crazy insanity that is to come during The Laugh Factory Comical Magic Show. Don’t worry, there are no gimmicky magic stunts or something too embarrassing in this school assembly magic show! It’s just 45 minutes of pure silliness, nonstop jokes, and wild funniness, where your students are the stars of the show!
Sculpture/ Written Word Residency
In this residency, students will work with multi-media artist Erin Eckler to construct poetry or a creative writing piece that will be transcribed onto a sculpture that visually illustrates their writing. The sculptural element will be constructed using recycled materials ranging from fiber to paper.
The first half of sessions will guide the student to begin creating their written work while learning techniques for breaking down and reforming the recycled materials. The second half of sessions will be supporting the constructing of their sculptural pieces while fine tuning their poetry and prose.
The students will be taught hand sewing, weaving, 3D construction, collage, and how to deconstruct recycled materials for use. Resident artist will provide technical support and problem solving as needed while the students construct their pieces.
Richard Hight is a nationally recognized artist/speaker who uses the fine arts to help his audiences create strategies for change by turning good ideas into great results. He is on a mission to help students see the possibility of their potential and create new opportunities.
Addressing thousands every year, Richard’s Art of Inspiration influences his audiences to use their imagination to discover their originality and celebrate their differences. As a masterful storyteller with a down to earth, Oklahoma warmth, and humorous style, he always connects with his audiences.
Richard’s presentation begins with the dramatic and exciting creation of a stunning illustration on a six-foot canvas (each school can suggest what image will best serve their students – historical figures, patriotic images, school mascots and others, etc.). Students and teachers are WOW’ed by the combination of powerful illustration, spoken word, and music that transpires in a matter of moments. The artwork Richard creates then provides the foundation for his keynote presentation and discussion.. He can customize a portion of your event to include Anti-Bullying, Character Building or reinforce the theme of your school.
Effective self-assessment is crucial for learning in the performing arts, and a high-quality recording of a stage production provides an invaluable reference once the performance is complete. Merelis Productions specializes in filling this need.
For over 25 years, our videographers have partnered with independent, charter, and public schools, as well as professional performing arts and regional theater organizations throughout the NYC tri-state area. We offer 2-camera videography and video editing for a variety of on-stage events, including musicals, plays, concerts, dances, graduations, and other presentations.
For each performance, we provide two expert videographers with cameras on tripods and strategically placed microphones. When available, we can also integrate a direct feed from your house sound reinforcement system to ensure the best possible audio mix for the final video. We deliver a 1080p digital video file that participants can use for self-assessment, and as demo footage for future auditions, artistic portfolios, and college applications.
With 25 years of experience recording events in school settings and over 275 productions annually, we are dedicated to providing recordings that reflect the effort invested in your productions. We would be delighted to collaborate with you to enhance your performers' self-assessment opportunities.
David Hagerman has been performing his math science assemblies for over 20 years. Though we are based in Branson, MO, David performs all over the country. Extreme Science 2.0 is a forty-five minute program that can be performed for grades K-12. Math-A-Magic and Sound of Science are also 45 minutes long and the same price as Extreme Science 2.0. Since Extreme Science is our most popular, I will put the description of it here. The show is catered to the age of the student audience. Most schools request multiple back-to-back shows, splitting the students into like-grades. The older students get a more advanced show with the science explained in more detail. For younger audiences, the visual nature of the show keeps their attention without talking over their heads.
This show is a large production including two performers, music and amazingly visual demonstrations:
700,000 Volt Van de Graaff generator (VDG): (one of the largest you can find), it creates 10-15 inch lightening bolts and more than enough static to raise hair
Vortex Cannons: creates flying rings of fog
Floating beach balls: thanks to the Bernoulli effect, we have flight
Video of the live in person performances:
VDG (2.5 minutes): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KhST0NcqmEc
Vortex Cannons (7 minutes): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WwXDdWSe_uE
For regular IN PERSON performances, the prices are as follows:
For one daytime performance per school site, it is $1475.
For two back-to-back daytime performances at the same school site, it is $1975 total.
For one morning and one afternoon (AM/PM) split performances at the same school site, it is $2275.00
For one evening performance per school site, it is $1575.
As a package deal; two afternoon performances and an evening family show at the same school site is $2700 ($800 savings).
If you have 2 or more schools that book, you EACH get 10% off. If 3 or more schools book, you EACH get 15% off.
David was invited to be on America's Got Talent for the 2021 season. His edited America's Got Talent performance: https://youtu.be/86FYGTmE1CU
Additional info:
Extreme Science: https://www.schoolscienceassemblies.com/extreme-science-school-assembly
Short promo video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FnPrOCJnNcM
Archived testimonials date back to 1997: https://www.schoolscienceassemblies.com/references
The Boston Globe published this article on David Hagerman in their business section.
https://www.bostonglobe.com/business/2018/08/31/like-say-that-everything-percent-fake/os7VhPzfujVQrgmXpy99JK/story.html?event=event12
Performing over six hundred shows a year gives David a solid reputation that spans over 20 years of performing science assemblies nationally. We guarantee our show is one of the best you can find. If you disagree, no payment is due.
I am a multi-brass-woodwind-instrumentalist, with a lifetime of road experience traveling the world teaching/playing. I love to share any and all of my knowledge with any one who wants to learn and have fun.
Teaching Artists ROC places teaching artists in area schools, after-school programs, senior centers, civic/cultural spaces and local events. These performers and artists enrich existing curricula and support programming by introducing participants to new ideas, concepts and cultures. Outlets of expression are provided for people of all ages, abilities, and walks of life.
Who We Are
We are independent teaching artists and ensembles sharing a common interest in providing meaningful arts learning experiences for students of all ages. As teaching artists, we share the skills and perspectives we have developed through years of dedication to our disciplines. We don’t just teach our art. We teach a variety of subject areas using our art.
Each artist on our roster is different. Each has something special to offer.
The Syracuse Orchestra offers educational performances and services designed to support educators and students at all levels, from Pre-K through high school and beyond. In many cases, educational performances can be tailored to the specific needs of teachers, and all performances include activity guides. Options include full-orchestra and ensemble concerts at your school, full-orchestra concerts as field trip destinations, and coaching and masterclasses for your music students. Ask how your students can perform at Crouse-Hinds Theater. And remember, kids 18 and under are FREE for all regular-season performances!