Jordan Taylor Hill & Ensemble: Celebrating Rhythms from the Diaspora Join Jordan Taylor Hill & Ensemble for a vibrant journey through the rich tapestry of African Diasporic music and dance. As a seasoned educator and performer, Jordan Taylor Hill brings to your school an interactive exploration of traditional drumming, dance, and song that illuminates the cultural heritage and historical significance of these art forms. Jordan's workshops and performances are designed to engage students of all ages, providing them with a hands-on learning experience that enhances their understanding of world cultures, rhythm, and movement. Our offerings are tailored to complement educational curricula in arts and humanities, aiming to foster an appreciation for cultural diversity and inspire creativity among students. We are available for bookings across multiple regions, ready to bring our dynamic and educational presentations directly to your school. Whether it's a one-time assembly, a detailed workshop, or a short-term residency, Jordan Taylor Hill & Ensemble are prepared to create a memorable and enriching experience for both students and faculty. For bookings or more information on how we can tailor our programs to meet your educational goals, please reach out to us. Let's make learning unforgettable through the power of live performance and active participation!

My Daughters and Me MDAM My Sons and Me MSAM is an innovative program designed to inspire self-expression and mental wellness in youth through various forms of art, mindfulness practices, and social-emotional learning. The MDAM MSAM INC offers a diverse range of Programs and creative activities including Ready-Set-Go, The Princess in Me, Master My Mind, Mingle and Munch, visual art, clothing design, dance/stepping, STEM, pad drumming, health and wellness, creative writing workshops, drama and empowerment workshops, all while fostering a positive and safe environment for self-expression and character building. Elevate Your Students with Master My Mind (Grades 6-12) Our progressive curriculum features flexible 1-hour lessons that integrate breathwork, mindfulness, movement, and expressive creative art activities with high-quality literature to establish a supportive learning environment, empowering mentorship that helps students cultivate resilience, self-regulation, and communication skills, ultimately leading to increased self-esteem, character development, workforce readiness skills, and confidence in students, resulting in happier, more engaged learners. Art Expressions Project (grades PK-12): Our Art Expressions project program allows us to work with students across various grade levels, schools, and districts, fostering self-confidence, social cohesion, and effective communication. This program also enhances classroom, school, and community projects by incorporating creative arts, musical performances, and clothes design with simple stitching and art-filled spaces that showcase students' creativity. We offer a unique opportunity to create beautiful, elegant, and colorful spaces that students can be proud of. The Princess in Me (Grades 3-5) Unleash the Power of Princess Potential! Our program for girls focuses on building self-esteem, character development, anti bullying and vital life skills through expert guidance and engaging activities. We help young girls transform into confident, capable, and respectable individuals. Mingle and Munch Lunch Buddy Program (Grades 4-8) Introducing 'Mingle and Munch', your ultimate Lunch Buddy Program for girls that enhances the ordinary lunch break into an extraordinary experience. We understand that the lunch hour is more than just a break from classes. It's a chance for students to develop crucial life skills. Our program facilitates meaningful discussions, games, and self-expression among students, helping them grow and connect with their peers. Make the most of your midday reset with 'Mingle and Munch'!

The World’s Best Classroom Reset Button is BrainBreak Academy! An online resource bundle full of videos that helps teachers take back control of the classroom and re-engage students. These 3-5 minute videos help students: FOCUS over puzzling BrainTeasers, INSPIRE students during virtual field trips RELAX with simple breathing & stretching exercises ENERGIZE while engaging with interactive classroom games Positive classroom environments are conducive to students’ growth, and teachers should expect their students to be ready to learn. Give educators the tools they need from BrainBreak Academy so they can take back control of the classroom right away!

This Visiting Author Presentation focuses on disability acceptance & inclusion while connecting to the presenter's various children's books. By attending this program, students learn about different disabilities and the process of writing realistic fiction while becoming inspired to make a positive difference in their schools and communities. Great presentation for Autism Awareness Month (April) and Disability Awareness Month (October). Contact Author directly through her website for free Reading Guide. Amy also offers parent workshops related to raising a child with disabilities and understanding the unique needs of siblings.

The Arch Stanton Quartet offers two presentations that bring together music and literature. Both are inspired by classic American novels. “Shadow & Act: Music Inspired by Ralph Ellison’s Invisible Man” presents a program of original jazz compositions and readings based on Ralph Ellison's “Invisible Man,” a classic American novel published in 1952, offering a first-person fictional account of an unnamed narrator’s attempts to navigate complex racial and social relations in the first quarter of the twentieth century. ASQ’s program includes three original jazz compositions inspired by scenes or motifs from “Invisible Man,” along with a rendition of Fats Waller's “Black and Blue” – a tune which figures prominently as a literary device in the novel. The performance also includes readings from Ellison’s book. "Exploring the Sheltering Sky: The Music and Words of Paul Bowles" is a presentation of music, readings, and reflections inspired by Paul Bowles’ celebrated 1949 novel “The Sheltering Sky.” Through original compositions of their own – as well as readings from the novel and adaptations of Bowles’ own musical compositions – the Arch Stanton Quartet weaves together a performance experience as mysterious and captivating as the novel itself. The programs are suitable for school assemblies or more intimate classroom presentations, and the band can also work with students and ensembles in a tailored workshop setting, if desired, exploring topics such as composition, improvisation, ensemble playing, and how music intersects with other art forms. Longtime fixtures of the Capital Region jazz scene, ASQ performs original jazz that is experimental, yet rooted in bop and post-bop traditions. The band’s debut album, Along For The Ride, was released in November 2012 on WEPA Records. In March 2013, ASQ embarked on an exploration of its own in North Africa. The band’s jazz-diplomacy tour of Egypt included performances and workshops sponsored by the educational organization AMIDEAST, the U.S. Embassy Cairo, and the Center for American Studies at the American University in Cairo. That experience inspired a second album of original compositions, Blues For Soli, and its “Lady Egypt” suite, also released on WEPA Records.

Social studies and non-fiction ELA topics brought to life through music. Themes include Colonial America, Native Americans of NY State, Westward Expansion and the Gold Rush, World Cultures and Communities, The Erie Canal, Immigration to America and more. Programs are presented in-person as well as virtually.

Explore Frederic Church’s masterwork, Olana, through a field trip, virtual tour, or professional development! During each program, participants learn more about the art, culture, and history of Olana and the Hudson River Valley through place-based learning activities and lessons. Each offering can be modified to suit classroom and curriculum needs. FIELD TRIPS include a historic house tour and Landscape Walk and cost $10 per student. Add-on art workshops cost an additional $5 per student and include all artmaking materials. Students will leave with a completed work of art. All themes can be tailored to meet specific curriculum goals and student needs. Themes include: 1. "Place as Inspiration" where students learn how Church and his contemporaries were inspired by the Hudson Valley before exploring how they can connect to and advocate for important places in their own lives and communities. 2. "Land as Canvas" where students consider nature as a source of creativity and invention in Olana's designed landscape, collecting natural materials to observe patterns in local flora and fauna. 3. "Sketching as Seeing" where students dive into Frederic Church’s artistic process and experiment with his outdoor sketching (plein air) techniques. 4. "Adventures in Architecture" where students learn more about how global architectural traditions influenced Frederic Church’s design of Olana’s historic house and explore his handling of scale, engineering, and design. VIRTUAL TOURS can be tailored to meet specific curriculum goals and classroom needs and conducted via Zoom or Google Meet, and other platforms by request. All virtual sessions are designed to be 1 hour in length and can be scaled for various age ranges, groups, and audiences. All field trips and virtual tours are for grades PreK-12 and other education groups. $5-$15 per student. FREE for schools in Columbia and Greene Counties. PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT days for teachers and administrators can be booked upon request and include a tour of the historic house and landscape, a workshop session, and use of the Wagon House Education Center. Please contact education@olana.org to learn more.

Fort Field Trip Bring history to life for your students with an unforgettable field trip to Fort William Henry Museum in Lake George, NY. Your students will step back in time as they explore a real 18th-century military fort and learn about the pivotal role it played during the French and Indian War. Our expert fort interpreters, dressed in period uniforms, will engage students with captivating stories and interactive demonstrations, making history both exciting and accessible. Through immersive storytelling, they’ll highlight how the events at Fort William Henry contributed to the eventual defeat of the French in North America, and how this conflict set the stage for the American Revolution. What to expect during your visit: Interactive Learning: Fort interpreters will link the events of the French and Indian War to the larger context of American history, showing students how the outcomes of this conflict directly influenced the colonies’ path toward independence. Live Demonstrations: Students will witness the dramatic loading and firing of a musket and cannon, giving them a powerful glimpse into 18th-century warfare and the skills soldiers needed to survive. Explore the Museum and Exhibits: After the demonstrations, students can wander through the fort’s museum buildings, where they’ll encounter exhibits filled with fascinating artifacts that tell the story of life at this remote outpost. From soldiers’ daily routines to the strategies that shaped battles, these displays offer a comprehensive look at military life on the frontier. Learn About Native American History: In addition to military history, students will explore the rich cultural heritage of the Native American peoples who lived in the region long before European settlement. Exhibits featuring artifacts, tools, and artwork provide a deeper understanding of their way of life and their role in the conflict between European powers. Scavenger Hunt: To enhance their experience, students will receive a scavenger hunt sheet that encourages them to find key information and artifacts throughout the fort. This fun and educational activity ensures that they stay engaged and curious as they explore. This field trip to Fort William Henry provides a unique opportunity for students to experience history firsthand, fostering a deeper understanding of the events that shaped the early American colonies. Combining live demonstrations, immersive storytelling, and hands-on learning, this trip is designed to inspire curiosity and a love of history in students of all ages. Reserve Your Trip Now!

I offer four topics for my School Assembly Programs. Below are details about my Reading, Dental Hygiene, Ocean Sciences and Social Awareness Programs. 1. Sugar Bug Showdown: Elementary schools that engage my services for the ‘Sugar Bug Showdown‘ performance consistently request my return every third year to do it again. They want to be sure each child in kindergarten through 3rd grade gets the benefit of this unforgettable lesson in good dental hygiene. Your students will learn the right way to brush their teeth (even adults get it wrong!), why dental hygiene is so important, and much more. Dental Hygienists can give the facts, but nobody will motivate or help them remember those facts like Pipsqueak! To ramp up the fun, we demonstrate flossing using kids dressed as teeth. Another segment features caped cavity-defenders in an epic battle against sugar bugs. Here are some additional highlights: How much toothpaste to use How often to brush and proper techniques How cavities & plaque form How “sugar bugs” hurt your teeth Why a healthy diet matters 2. Reading is an Adventure: This program is perfect for PARP (Pick A Reading Partner) or Read Across America incentives. Specific children’s books are referenced & highlighted. My job with this show is to get your students excited about reading. I periodically change the lineup, but the main messages are: Curiosity fuels invention Reading is an adventure Readers are leaders 3. Kindness Quest: This program fits Respect Week and Character Education incentives like a glove! The following key themes are woven throughout: Friendship Kindness Respect Appreciating differences Sharing 4. Waves of Fun: Oceans of Possibilities is a STEM school assembly that sparks an interest in learning about ocean sciences. Students in kindergarten through fifth grade will be motivated to learn about the amazing things that can be found in the ocean. The program is curated to add more advancing educational content at upper grade levels with marine biology, geology, and ecology professions showcased for the 5th grade. We’ll even use your own school library books in the magic performance! Laugh your way through the “silliest, goofiest, wackiest treasure hunt in the world!” Meet a very intelligent seal who does tricks. Of course, Vern (the bird) will make an appearance. This program is unique and so much fun! It is designed for students K-5th grade.

Lisa David offers a fun, engaging experience teaching oil painting or pottery to high school students. Lisa is an award winning artist from Saratoga County, NY. After a long career as a production potter, Lisa became an art teacher and earned National Board Certification. Lisa taught at Schenectady School District and at Shenendehowa in Clifton Park, NY where she instructed hundreds of students in advanced drawing & painting and craft classes. She took up painting still life, landscape and narrative paintings. Her simple approach to still life painting has advanced her hundreds of high school students into acceptance into the best art schools. Her emphasis on observational drawing, seeing color, using value and composition to engage the viewer are taught during instruction. Lisa’s vintage-inspired still life is sold online and through her gallery representation at Spa Fine Art, Saratoga. She often plein air paints (paint outside from life) and has taught numerous workshops and classes at Saratoga Arts Center. Her numerous high school students have recalled their plein air painting as their “best art experience." Her pottery skills are also exemplary. Lisa once owned Picket Pottery, a production pottery business, selling her functional wares across the country. Once represented with over 18 salespeople, her pottery was sold in hundreds of stores nationwide. Lisa still throws pots, although does so for enjoyment rather rather than for profit. If you are interested in having Lisa demonstrate painting or pottery and talk about the art of business, please reach out! She is a natural with students of all ages.

Magic of 5-A-Day is an interactive, 45-minute elementary school assembly, designed to promote good nutrition and exercise. Brian Richards brings the importance of nutrition together with a little magic that will captivate your students and leave them laughing and smiling throughout his whole performance. This nutrition and health assembly is unlike any you have seen before! With the aid of magic, comedy, audience participation, and powerful visual aids, your students and staff will learn… Why we need to eat at least 5 servings of fruits and veggies every day How the colors of fruits and veggies are good for different parts of our bodies Why balance and moderation is so important How to know the difference between a “sometimes food” and an “all-the-time food.” And much more…Plus, your students will take the 5-A-Day Challenge and pledge to eat their 5-A-Day every day.

Discover the fascinating world of Native American folklore, respect for nature and a sense of family, community and caring for the land. Marty Hight shares her stories about beliefs held deeply sacred and get an inside look at how the Native Americans world changed as their land was taken and they were forced to march to a new and strange land. Or, learn how to craft corn husk dolls and hear the story about her creation. Marty invites your students to help illustrate her stories, demonstrate dances and celebrates their special gifts. In this school assembly, history comes alive as stories told for centuries are shared in an engaging way to impart character lessons and tribal history. It’s ideal for Grades K-6. TOPICS INCLUDE: HISTORY • CULTURE • STORYTELLING • SINGING • NATURE • TRADITIONS • DIVERSITY • LANGUAGE • CRAFTS • AND MORE! Marty Hight (Ma-ha-gum-se / Shawnee) is a Native American who has a Cherokee and Shawnee heritage. She is a proud member of the Cherokee Nation of Oklahoma who draws from family history and storytelling to share her people’s history, language, songs, customs, rituals and legends through vivid narratives. Reach out today to learn how you can join in the excitement when you host Marty Hight!