Welcome to the Statewide Art and Enrichment Roster, Hosted by CiTi BOCES
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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.
Mat Heagerty
I'm a kids' graphic novel author who over the last two years has presented at over 350 elementary and middle schools across America. My interactive, fast-paced presentations focus on the power of collaboration and the strengths of neurodiversity. As a dyslexic, one of my favorite things to present on is the strengths of neurodiversity.
My books like Lumberjackula, Martian Ghost Centaur, and Indoor Kid have received starred reviews from most major trade journals, named to several state lists, and made the ALA best graphic novels list. I also used to work in higher ed at Boise State University where I taught classes on publishing and creative writing.
I'd love to come speak with your students about creativity and persevering through learning differences!
Ten80 offers high-energy programs that use dynamic technology and hands-on experiences to inspire students about careers, STEM pathways, the trades, and leadership skills.
The most popular program engages a large audience in team-based challenges and culminates in a race using scale-model electric vehicles. Other options include classroom workshops, afterschool explorations, and professional development. All Ten80 programs include the "Ten80 T-Square" pillars of Tech (such as drones, autonomous vehicles, and renewable energies), Tools (from measuring tapes to spreadsheets to digital calipers!), Teamwork, and Tenacity.
Ten80 has delivered programs all over the U.S and in China, and specializes in creating the “aha” moments that break down barriers so that every student can imagine a wider range of future opportunities.
What is Opera Saratoga’s Education Program? Each year, Opera Saratoga tours an Opera production to more than fifty public and private schools throughout the greater Capital and lower Adirondack regions of NY. The performances feature charismatic professional artists who love to share their joy of music and theater through the opera, as well as through question and answer sessions where students have the opportunity to meet the artists and learn about the music and what it takes to put on a performance.
In a world where the default forms of entertainment for children are primarily television, video games, and the Internet, Opera Saratoga’s In-School Opera program provides youth with an all-too-rare opportunity to experience the visceral thrill of the live performing arts, up close and personal! Opera Saratoga's touring program includes a lesson plan that arrives a month before the performance, a professionally staged opera performance in your school, along with a post-performance discussion between the artists and your students. Schools will also receive an invitation to the dress rehearsal of the performances in Opera Saratoga's summer festival.
Contact us now to book your opera performance for March 2025!
My name is Leah, and I’m the founder of Brave Lion. I’m a certified mindfulness and yoga practitioner, and a true child at heart! Thank you for checking out my profile.
My program offers are listed below, but first, I thought I’d share some nice things educators and administrators have said about working with me:
“Leah brings this work to life, it’s not just another SEL lesson or worksheet. The way she is able to connect with students and help them embody this work is a gift.”
- District Director of Curriculum (North Country)
“Leah's love and enthusiasm for neuroscience mindfulness education truly engaged all the students. She had such a special way of making each child feel heard. Her style allowed for students to connect the learning to their own lives, which made it very meaningful. The entire lesson execution was extraordinary!”
- 3rd Grade Educator (Capital District)
“She was absolutely wonderful. Taught in a way that felt very inclusive and open. I was not very comfortable with the practice in my own implementation and she really helped me feel comfortable with trying a multitude of ways and that they were all effective.”
- Educator, Participating in Mindfulness for Educators (Capital District)
Here is who we are and some of the ways we can work together to cultivate a more mindful way of being in your school community:
Brave Lion offers students and educators with personalized and accessible
(neuroscience-based) mindful tools to bolster emotional, mental and physical well-being. These self-study tools result in reduced stress, improved emotional regulation, enhanced personal + professional relationships and holistic-minded resilience.
We bravely offer partnerships with schools and organizations including; in-class lessons (series or single topic), assemblies, educator professional development, parents education and consultation.
Programming:
Assemblies (Elementary K-2, 3-5)
School-based Mindfulness and Movement Programming
Physical Education Yoga (MIndful Movement) Take Over
Professional Development and Keynote Speaking
Digital Wellness + Taming Tech: Education and Coaching
1:1 and Group Mindful Mapping
Nurtured in Nature: A Guide to Connecting Students to the Natural World
If you’d like, you can learn more about the Brave Lion approach by viewing this brief presentation:
https://www.canva.com/design/DAGXxHcOjpk/FTp4xpFYDo4nE9N6WgWyjQ/view?utm_content=DAGXxHcOjpk&utm_campaign=designshare&utm_medium=link2&utm_source=uniquelinks&utlId=h6a09711bb3
Thank you!!
Be well and take care of yourself and others :)
Love Yourself More is a high-energy program filled with strategies K-5 kids can use to show themselves care and compassion, such as speaking up for themselves, honoring their own moods, and giving themselves grace for mistakes. It’s all disguised as a very silly show that engages students with opportunities to make sounds, move around, answer questions, get on stage, and even join a sing along!
At TWUSA, we're firm believers in the vital role of theater in our youth's development. Our multi-session arts programs cater to all ages and abilities, aligning with educational and arts standards.
We provide curriculum, all supplies, and passionate Teaching Artists who create safe spaces for structured youth development, active learning, and SEL skill practice. You'll also gain access to free shows and unwavering support from our education team. We provide a sliding scale for pricing and offer customize residencies for K-12 sites and beyond.
AutismFriendlyShows.com and Turtle Dance Music helps kids come out of their shells! We offer the most amazing autism-friendly and elementary school assemblies in the country.
Founded by Mr. Matt "The Turtle Man" Mazur, MA, Matt got his graduate degree in Developmental Models of Autism Intervention and Early Childhood Development at Montclair State University. He also studied musical theater for undergrad at New York Universities' Tisch School of the Arts where he started creating his music performances for students with developmental disabilities at District 75 Autism Schools and Centers in New York City.
Matt is known for sharing *multiple* (in a day - sometimes 4-8) 45 minute to hour long inclusive music concerts where he plays over 60 different instruments including didgeridoo, banjo, guitar, beatboxing, loop stations and many more! Teachers and students usually leave assemblies and classroom performances asking "Can he be here every day?!?"
Matt's signature performance is the Bubble, Comedy and Music Show: Reading Rocks which features an original story about what it's like living with autism written and illustrated by Mr. Matt and Tim Shaw who is on the autism spectrum. Students are moving the ENTIRE performance and it is highly planned down to the minute with variable activities for students who are more verbal as well as less verbal. The show is also tailored for students who have profound and multiple learning disabilities who might not be as mobile as their peers. Matt has been sharing my work for the last 12 years both in-person in classrooms, gyms, cafeterias and auditoriums as well as virtually on our Innovative Big Screen Smartboard Shows over Zoom.
Matt also offers shows tailored with songs for every season, holiday and I have A Counting Show, A Space: Revolution and Rotation Show, An Ecosystems Rock Show, Earth Day Rocks! and a Water Cycle Show.
For more information e-mail info@turtledancemusic.com or call 973-493-2326 or visit our website https://www.TurtleDanceMusic.com or our YouTube channel at https://www.youtube,com/TurtleDanceMusic
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.
Chris Herren is a former professional basketball player, a voice on the topic of substance use prevention and a wellness advocate. Since 2009, Chris has spoken to over two million students, athletes and community members, sparking honest discussions on the topics of substance use disorder and wellness. A person in long-term recovery, Chris continues to share his story in school communities nationally with a renewed focus on prevention education and challenging audiences to rethink how we look at the disease of addiction – changing the focus from the last day to the first.
David Wong has been called a “Rock Star” in the violin world. With over 6.7 million YouTube views and 33k subscribers, he’s attracted the attention of people around the world with mentions in Time Magazine, Huffington Post, MSN, Good Morning America and features on YouTube’s Home Page.
He has performed in venues ranging from Carnegie Hall to Hotel Café and collaborated with artists such as The War and Treaty, Cory Wong, and Air Traffic Controller. David is an avid string clinician specializing in live looping, non-traditional techniques, and content creation. He has presented at the Ohio State University String Teachers Workshop, Suzuki Music Columbus, and over 50 public school systems throughout the United States.
As a live looping specialist with his violin, David has taught and performed in many schools across the US to great acclaim. He weaves original arrangements as a "one-man-band," playing the music that students know and love from streaming, movies, and other pop cultural phenomenons.
David's performances and presentations often include:
-introductions to improvising
-live looping explanations and demonstrations
-extended techniques such as chopping (from beginner to advanced), acoustic distortion, and other non-traditional and non-classical sounds
-group layering to build "acoustic backing tracks/loops"
-incorporating technology into music
David graduated from Amherst College in 2008 with a double major in Music and Asian Studies. He currently resides northwest of Albany, NY
We offer workshops with middle and high school bands to help promote instrumental music in our schools. We can present a concert of the best in wind band literature. We can have CVWE members sit in rehearsals with middle school/high school bands, and we can combine our group with the school band for a piece or two for a concert presentation. We have found this especially effective with some of the smaller schools who may not have enough students in band to play in a "full band" situation.
Our participation also highlights the lifelong love of instrumental music as our group spans the ages of 16 to 80+. While many of our group are current or retired music teachers, many are not, which shows that you can have a career besides music, but still have opportunities to play as an advocation.