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.
Justin Kolb
Middle/High School
Why Music Students Excel
Motivational Clinic for Band, Youth Orchestra and Chorus
(Also appropriate for Theatre Kids.)
Program Description
This morale and self-esteem building session begins with a ten minute solo performance by Justin. The performance is intentionally virtuosic, leaving no doubt in the student's mind that the artist is a seasoned professional who has experienced success on stage.
The objective of this learning experience for students is to reinforce what the music faculty has been stressing all along. That is: the student's musical experience and musical education goes well beyond 'blowing a horn'. This experience is about developing life survival skills. Skills that will help the students to become better adept at problem solving, decision making, enjoying a fulfilling life beginning now and into the future.
Justin asks the students to identify skills that they have learned from their musical experience (lessons, practice, or performance) that they have found useful when they are outside the world of music. Skills described by the students typically range from attention to detail and time management, to conflict resolution and ability to accept criticism. At the end of this segment of the session, a list sometimes comprising as many as 24 skills has been articulated by the students. Kolb looks at the students and asks them to seriously contemplate the "skills inventory". Kolb then exclaims, "Look at who you are and what you can do!" He quickly points out that large corporations and even governments invest great amounts of dollars to teach their employees how to acquire these same skills.These sessions are highly informational, uplifting, fun and enhance self esteem. Justin gets along easily with students, parents, staff, and faculty.Willing to tailor sessions to better meet the needs of the students.
90 minute cruise on the Erie Canal with a simplified childrens historical narration (based on group age). Cruise includes traveling thru Lock 18, the most historically correct Lock left on the NYS Canal system and still operating perfectly with 110 year old original equipment. The vessel is raised and lowered twenty feet thru the lock, a highlite of the cruise. Interaction with a Q&A period during the cruise if desired by the teacher(s). Our vessel (Lil' Diamond II) can accomodate up to 50 passengers. We are a USCG Certified passenger vessel with full safety equiptment.
I offer both Picture Book presentations and Creative Writing workshops.
My 5 picture books are centered on themes such as rejection/belonging, kindness/friendship, trying new things, etc. These stories are delightful for young ones, catering to their imagination, and are not preachy!
My Picture Book Presentation consists of pre-reading Q&A, picture book reading, digital presentation of writing-illustrating-publishing process, and post-presentation Q&A. This is suitable for one time sessions for grades K-2.
My Creative Writing workshops consists of helping young writers to create their individual story outlines which they then use to begin writing their story drafts. I read their drafts and give them personalized feedback for them to use in their new drafts. These workshops are suitable for multiple sessions and for grades 3-5.
For references, see my website. My credentials include having a Creative Writing degree from Columbia University and I was also a former ELA/ENL Teaching Fellow.
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.
I offer hands-on creative writing workshops in poetry and prose (3-5 days each---3 workshops per day---across a chosen grade level, where each class gets 3-5 visits each). I meet with teachers to discuss their curriculum needs and thematic requests, suggesting various workshop ideas tailored to their requests. Teachers then choose what works best for them---for example: Assistance with reluctant writers, adding details, word choice, adjective strength, voice---in whatever current learning theme is paramount, such as animals, environment, feelings, character development, social studies, etc.
I support teachers throughout the residency where they will be present and interact whenever their insight is needed as I teach. During and after the residency, I check in (over lunch, etc.) to ascertain how teachers are feeling about their students' progress, and also to offer many resources from both my books, stories, poems, and teacher oriented publications (nine books with Scholastic Professional Books for teachers) where they might copy any lessons they wish to use in the future.
I also offer follow-up ideas at the end of every residency for those who wish to continue using the writing "tools/ideas" I present to their students. And there are always numerous options! I love to work with the core levels to help develop a stronger writing momentum with students (for example, 2nd grades in fall, same students in 3rd grade with different themes/format the following year, 4th grade added on or begun simultaneously--always building on previous workshop skills, etc.
Districts have booked me in various schools for 25 plus years, often having me conduct workshops from year to year in multiple levels, as teachers love the support and boost my energy brings to their classrooms and students from which they springboard after I leave. The sky's the limit! I am here to serve educationally and creatively.
Clearwater offers a variety of Hudson River-based environmental education programs. Our signature program is the "Sailing Classroom" aboard the Sloop Clearwater which has become a model for onboard education programs across the country. Clearwater also offers a variety of onshore programming along the Hudson River in our "Tideline" program as well as in-class programming during which we bring a bit of the Hudson River to you. Clearwater's interactive education programs provide hands-on learning to engage students and promote "learning by doing." These programs can be catered to various ages and specialized to meet the needs of the students and teachers.
Interactive Pre-K music programs for ages 2 - 5, and school aged programs for small groups K - 2. Hands-on musical activities with rhythm instruments and creative movement & dance. Book well in advance.
Richard Celestin Consulting Group LLC offers skill development, social-emotional and law-based programming and services to K-12 school communities, including students, parents and teachers. This includes workshops, assemblies, trainings and consulting. The founder, Richard Celestin, Esq., is an experienced attorney, educator and author with extensive experience working with youth and adults within schools, CBO's and not-for-profits. Topics include college and career readiness, debate and advocacy, healthy relationships, social media use, critical and consequential thinking and much more.
Darren Sardelli is an empowering poet and author who makes poetry exciting for young people. His assemblies are interactive, engaging, and very funny. Younger students act out poems with Darren, figure out poetry riddles, and learn how to express themselves in positive ways. Older students discover easy ways to put ideas in motion, make their writing stand out, and learn how to empower themselves with words. They’ll be motivated to read and write poetry, start an idea book, and think in a creative direction.
LAUGH-A-LOT POETRY (K-5th grade assemblies and writing workshops)
THE POWER OF WORDS! (Empowering assemblies for middle school and high school students)
ADVENTURES IN RHYME (Pre-K, K, 1st - Introduction to Poetry)
THE FUNNY POETRY SHOW (Family Night)
Hello,
As an author, illustrator, designer, and publisher, I have a lot of jobs. But beyond all of those, the best part of my career is getting the opportunity to share what I know and inspire students of all ages to create books of their own. From kindergarteners to high schoolers, I love visiting schools to help get children excited about reading, writing and drawing. Plus, I also bring a giant wooden crate with a monster in it. :)
I offer an entertaining and educational group presentation, Mind, Body and Spirit, focused on how I develop the Mind, the Body and the Spirit for success. I perform poetry from my books and show each attribute's role in my life and work. There is no audience size limit.
I also offer poetry and photography workshops and a popular new addition, Becoming a Ninja: The Secret to My Success, which focuses on goal setting and achievement. Due to the participatory nature of the workshops, participant size is limited to 30 students.
I can also do virtual visits, which can be customized to your needs.
Jumpin' Jamie performs "Kindie Rock" for all ages, puppets, and magic. Programs can include "Music and Puppets", "Music, Magic, and Puppets", "Magic show", "Puppet Show", and educational shows such as "Indiana Jamie Reading Show", "Jump Into Dinosaurs", and more. Jumpin' Jamie has performed thousands of shows for crowds from 12 to 12,000 including venues like Citi Field, Wolf Trap National Park for the Performing Arts, and American Dream.