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Performance Videography by Merelis Productions
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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.
Path To Rhythm - Group Drumming & Dance
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*TOP RATED INTERACTIVE CULTURAL ARTS PROGRAM* We are Path To Rhythm, and we provide a highly interactive and professionally directed Group Drumming and Dance Program for your students. We consistently get 100% engagement with all participants throughout the duration of our program. Our unique program, "A Day of Drum & Dance" has become very popular with the schools we have worked with for several years. We take pride in offering "Grade specific assemblies". It is common that if it is our first time working with a school, after our session a teacher will express to us that it is the best assembly that they have ever had at their school. Our program is unique in that we consistently get 100% engagement with each of the grades that we work with. Because we work with only one grade at a time, all students are hands-on active throughout their session with us and participate in both drumming and dancing. My co-facilitator, Yahya Kamate, has an incredible positive and infectious energy that the students love. Not only does he share about the culture that he originates from in West Africa, but the two of us working together is a model for cultural diversity. As the Founder of Path To Rhythm, I bring my many years of teaching and performing experience to help ensure a highly managed and accountable environment that sets a tone of respect, fun and learning during our programs. DAY OF DRUM & DANCE - (Available for single days or multiple days and residency) Path To Rhythm provides educational and interactive group drumming programs for schools. We bring authentic African hand drums called Djembes to your location and lead interactive, 45 -minute sessions of drumming for groups of 25-90 participants. Each session is led by two teaching artist facilitators. Half of the group of students drum while the other half learns a short dance, after the dance is performed the groups switch parts. Each student learns the benefit of drumming and being of service to the dancers. The group works together and has high energy fun in the process! Path To Rhythm is suited for all age groups and grade levels of children and young adults. This program will create a buzz and excitement that will be the talk of the school for days following our visit. Students will be inspired and feel a new sense of community and school spirit, all while learning Cultural Rhythms. We are educators and professional performers, we commit to provide excellent management to ensure that each group reaches its fullest potential. Path To Rhythm will provide full size Djembe (hand) drums for all participants. Each student will have their own drum to play, all of the drums are alike. Benefits: -Aligns with NYS Learning Standards -Exposes children to music making and dance of other cultures -Promotes self regulation -Creates a sense of community & connection. -Honors and celebrates students, teachers and admin. -Encourages creative expression. -Impact! Creates excitement that can be felt throughout the day. -Releases energy. -Interactive hands-on FUN. Requirements: Use of the full gymnasium or large indoor space for the day. Chairs for participants to sit in while they drum. Access to the space to set up at least one hour before start time. PLEASE SEE OUR VIDEO: https://youtu.be/vwTX9wP7Fc Please contact Adam (adam@pathtorhythm.com) with any questions. We look forward to collaborating with you! Recent testimonials: "We feel incredibly fortunate to have Path to Rhythm visit and do a full week residency at Dows Lane School. Their visit was not only a deeply enriching experience, but also a testament to the power of music and movement to bring out the best in every child. From the moment Adam Issadore and Yahya Kamate arrived, they created an atmosphere where every student felt valued, supported, and capable of achieving something remarkable. In a short amount of time, our young learners were able to master rhythms on the djembe; participate in lively, storytelling dance movements; and connect with each other in ways that we never imagined. Even the youngest students in kindergarten were able to grasp complex rhythms and movements, feeling a deep sense of pride in what they had learned. What made this experience even more impactful was how Adam and Yahya adapted their teaching to meet the varied needs and interests of our students. Whether it was a student who needed more time to practice a rhythm or one who was eager to challenge themself further, Adam and Yahya knew just how to offer personalized guidance. It was evident that their instruction went deeper than just teaching—they were truly connecting with the individual needs and learning styles of our students, making every lesson feel accessible, fun and new. We are so grateful to Adam and Yahya for bringing Path to Rhythm to Dows Lane. This experience has made a lasting impact on our students, and we know they will carry the lessons they learned—about rhythm, movement, culture, and most importantly, the joy of learning—into the future. -William Rich, Dows Lane Elementary, Irvington, NY "Path To Rhythm was an incredible experience for every student, teacher, staff member, and administrator. With authentic African hand drums called Djembes in our hands and the power of music in our souls, we engaged in a unique program that reached every child. The students were divided into two groups: one half drummed while the other half learned a short dance. After performing the dance, they switched roles. The energy was buzzing, smiles were endless, and our school community connected in a profound way. As we learned about African culture and experienced the dances of traditional stories, it became clear that this program is a must-have every year!" -Dan Salerno, Asst. Principal, Searingtown Elementary, NY
Super Stories
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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!
Beginner Origami w/John Collins
NYS Arts In Education Nework
Introducing Beginner Origami w/John Collins – A 45 minute STEAM enrichment program to get your students folding and learning a new art form: Origami. Beginner Origami includes a brief history, some amazing examples, a little math, a little science and a whole lot of folding (three models). Origami is great for memorization skills, small motor coordination, eye-hand coordination, direction following, 3D visualization, and creative engagement. Created by The Paper Airplane Guy, a world famous author, presenter and STEAM educator with more than 30 years of school and corporate presentations; Beginner Origami will get your students folding right away. The wide range of models shown will wow them, as well as motivate them to get busy folding.
Stitch Buffalo
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Stitch Buffalo is excited to share our love of textile arts and provide instruction to learners of all ages and skill levels. When you book a class, a Stitch Buffalo instructor will come to your location and provide comprehensive instruction to your group. All supplies for the project are included. Participants will learn fundamental techniques while developing design and collaborative skills in a relaxed environment that encourages exploration and personal expression. Our rextile art projects/skills reflect traditional techniques used in many cultures from around the world. These include: 1. Hand Embroidery 2. Block Printing 3. Pom-Pom Making 4. Jump Rope Making 5. Stencil and Appliqué 6. Macrame 7. Weaving For each of the seven core disciplines, we offer three related projects that correspond to different ages and ability levels: beginner (elementary school); intermediate (middle school); and advanced (high school through adult). We also provide information on the cultural context of each project, including how people from various cultures are practicing these traditional techniques today—right here in New York.
Paul Jackman
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A magic show with comedy, juggling, audience interaction and featuring Roger Rabbit!
The Children's Museum at Saratoga
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The Children's Museum at Saratoga is dedicated to creating an interactive community that inspires curiosity, sparks imagination, and nurtures discovery. We are committed to serving as a resource for Capital Region school districts and to ensuring that programs and services are accessible to all children. The Museum offers outreach and field trip programs for students from preschool to 6th grade. Each program is designed to meet the needs of each classroom with plenty of opportunities for unique hands-on experiences. Programs correlate to Common Core and Next Generation Science Standards. They are wonderful additions to classroom curriculum as either an introduction to a lesson or to enhance current classroom units. The Museum's priority is to make educational programs accessible to all students. We ask that you please share any special needs your students may have ahead of time so that we can accommodate their needs. For more information about the Museum's program catalog and prices, please check out https://cmssny.org/education/.
Proform Airborne Jump Rope Team
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We provide an exciting, motivating assembly that includes a group jump rope showcase, gymnastics and dancing with a jump rope, audience participation, and discussion on healthy lifestyle choices. Students and staff alike will leave with the desire to pick up a jump rope.
Mark Vinci
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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.
The Buffalo Zoo
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The Buffalo Zoo's Education team is here to provide your students with a WILD educational experience! Whether you're looking for a virtual program that will take you inside some of our animal exhibits, a presentation to enhance your Zoo field trip, or the Zoomobile to bring the Zoo to You, we can meet your group's learning needs. There are so many topics to choose from, including unique habitats, amazing adaptations, conservation, and so much more!
Kayla Jolin
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I teach fun, hands-on painting workshops with a specialty in watercolor, gouache, and murals!
Thacher State Park
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Situated along the Helderberg Escarpment, discover one of the richest fossil-bearing formations in the world. While protecting six miles of limestone cliff-face, rock-strewn slopes, woodland and open fields, the park provides a marvelous panorama of the Hudson-Mohawk Valleys and the Adirondack and Green Mountains. We offer a variety of field trip and outreach programs. Link to Field Trip Brochure: https://parks.ny.gov/documents/parks/ThacherFieldTripBrochure.pdf