Empowered Educator provides professional development that supports the social and emotional well-being of the adults in schools. As arts teachers, you know that SEL is inherent in the work you do. However, the well-being of your program is dependent on the well-being of its educators. Empowered Educator programs give teachers practical strategies for stress relief, time management, energy efficiency, advocacy and emotional intelligence so you can make the massive impact you want to make for your students and your school communities. As a former music teacher, Jen Rafferty tailors Empowered Educator programming to be relevant, accessible, and meaningful for fine arts teachers.

Youth motivational speaker David Flood has been speaking with and helping teens and young adults for over 20 years. He teaches teens through the telling of his own very personal stories about his family in the past and present. At David’s student assembly programs he uses simple examples that students can relate to in order to show them how to improve their lives and how to have a profound impact on those around them. David will reinforce any social and emotional learning (SEL) that your school is already providing. He believes in proactive emotional literacy to encourage dignity and respect throughout the building. It is for this reason that he has spoken in over 600 middle schools and high schools as well as leadership conferences, parent workshops, and professional development days for teachers. He’s been a featured speaker at middle school assemblies, high school assemblies, colleges, and teacher/counselor conferences throughout the United States and Canada and established himself as a national youth motivational speaker that students connect with on an emotional level. David is one of the best youth motivational speakers in the country today.

Crudo Creates is a multidisciplinary art practice and creative studio led by artist Domingo Cruz. The work spans live art activations, installations, theatrical-style interactive experiences, and community workshops rooted in culture, storytelling, and shared humanity. Crudo Creates has produced programming for libraries, festivals, exhibitions, and public events, transforming everyday spaces into places for reflection, creativity, and collective participation. The work invites audiences of all ages to slow down, engage, and reconnect with themselves and with one another.

Music enrichment geared to your curriculum. This can include a songwriting component and a wide variety of topics.

Bardavon 1869 Opera House, Inc. (known familiarly as “the Bardavon'') is a New York State nonprofit corporation that owns and operates two historic theaters. The 928-seat Bardavon 1869 Opera House in Poughkeepsie is the oldest continuously operating theater in the state, among the oldest in the country, and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The 1500-seat Ulster Performing Arts Center/Broadway Theater (UPAC) is a National Register property built in Kingston in 1927. UPAC was merged into Bardavon's corporate structure in 2007. The Bardavon consistently presents the highest quality music, dance, theater, and classic films in both its venues. The Bardavon has brought together artists, businesses, and government to produce outdoor events that draw thousands of residents and visitors to the region annually, providing free access to superb art as a source of community pride, urban revitalization, and cultural tourism. The Bardavon Education Program partners with regional schools in offering unique arts-based learning experiences for students and innovative tools for teachers. The continued restoration and preservation of the Bardavon 1869 Opera House and the Ulster Performing Arts Center/Broadway Theater is also a vital aspect of our mission.

Our virtual school author talk program brings the magic of stories to inspire, educate, and connect with students in the classroom. Whether it's the laughter from a funny tale, the curiosity kindled by a mystery, or the wonder of discovering new worlds, each BookBreak virtual author talk is designed to spark a love of reading and enhance literacy. Our innovative platform connects students with renowned authors virtually, allowing schools to participate who would not normally be able to afford the speaking fees of bestselling authors. With BookBreak, you can offer your students the excitement and inspiration of a live author event, empowering them to thrive as readers and writers. With over 2,000 subscribing schools and counting, our goal is to embed author talks as an integrated component of student learning. By seamlessly integrating these virtual author sessions into your curriculum, you’ll ignite a fire for reading, kindle a passion for writing, and captivate even the most reluctant readers. These interactive experiences are more than just talks—they’re a catalyst for transforming student motivation and cultivating a vibrant school-wide culture of reading. Use our curriculum aligned virtual author talks and included pre- and post- activities and watch as your students’ enthusiasm soars and their love for literature flourishes!

We deliver programs directly to schools and communities that empower young people to become courageous changemakers by fostering empathy, understanding and action against intolerance. Through the powerful lens of Anne Frank’s diary, we inspire the next generation to learn from the past, challenge prejudice and build a more compassionate and just future. Our interactive theatre performances are a transformative tool, engaging students on a deeply emotional and intellectual level. They bring history to life, spark critical conversations, and inspire young people to act with courage, empathy, and understanding. "Conversations with Anne" is our signature one-act solo show that immerses students in the powerful words of Anne Frank, bringing excerpts from her diary to life in an engaging and emotionally-charged performance. Students connect with Anne on a personal level through this intimate portrayal – hearing her thoughts, fears, and dreams. The performance culminates in a Q&A session, where students can ask questions and engage directly with the character to deepen their understanding of Anne’s experience and the historical events surrounding the Holocaust. It gives a human face to history, inspiring young people to reflect on the impact of intolerance and the importance of standing up for what is right. Through Anne’s words, students are reminded of the power of their own voices in shaping the future. For grades 4th and up. "Letters from Anne and Martin" draws profound parallels between the words of Anne Frank and Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. The performance combines excerpts from Anne’s diary with key moments from Dr. King’s 'Letter from Birmingham Jail', highlighting their shared themes of hope, resistance, and the fight for justice. Through the dialogue of these two remarkable figures, students are offered a unique lens on the struggles for human rights, both during World War II and the Civil Rights Movement. The show serves as a bridge between history and the present, highlighting how lessons of the past are deeply connected to the challenges we face today. By weaving Anne’s reflections on the horrors of war with Dr. King’s calls for nonviolent action, the show is a powerful teaching tool for understanding both the Holocaust and the Civil Rights Movement. Students are empowered to see the relevance of these movements in today’s world, encouraging them to take a stand against prejudice, bigotry, antisemitism, racism and discrimination, to promote equality, and work towards a more just and inclusive future. For grades 6th and up. Our newest one act solo show, "Plenty of Courage", takes the audience on Anne's journey of discovering herself, her ambitions and her drive to live fully and bravely. Delving into some of her lesser known entries, this performance reveals the more vulnerable side of the young diarist. While in hiding from the Nazis with her family, the Van Pels Family and Fritz Pfeffer during World War II, writing to her dear diary, Kitty, brings Anne enormous comfort. But through it all there is another war silently raging, and it is the one Anne is fighting with herself. It's a transformative experience that invites audiences to step into the shoes of one of the most important voices of the 20th century and grapple with the harder questions of what it means to be human. For 7th/8th grade, high school and up.

Author/Illustrator Timothy Young has 16 published children's books, from board books to chapter books. His presentations include book readings, an interactive drawing demonstration and discussions with students about creativity and the writing and drawing process. He has also worked in the fields of animation and toy design, having worked on Pee-Wee's Playhouse, designing and building Muppets and he was the first person to sculpt the Simpsons characters for toys. He brings and shows samples of some of that work. Timothy is also available for interactive workshops and residencies.

“In my almost three decades of teaching, I have heard a wide variety of internationally known authors, many of them award recipients. Marc was easily the most engaging and inspiring presenter I have ever heard. He held the rapt attention of the entire auditorium—students and staff alike. He is such a gift!” —Adrienne DeMichele, Taipei American School, Taiwan Marc’s multidisciplinary presentation (adjustable for any age) is a jaw-dropping epic revealing secrets uncovered and mysteries solved while researching nonfiction books on the creators of Superman and Batman—riveting even for those who couldn’t care less about superheroes. The interactive story emphasizes persistence, challenging injustice, and sticking up for oneself and others. His approach motivates even the most reluctant students to read and embrace the adventure of research. The presentation culminates in not one but three big twists that show how, despite the odds, children’s literature—and any one person—can change the world. “Educational value? 5 out of 5 stars. Entertainment value? 5 out of 5 stars. Marc’s amazing story kept an entire room of students and teachers enthralled for an hour with no special effects or tricks. My principal and almost every teacher said this was the best assembly they have ever attended.” —Jamie Harris, librarian, Smalley Elementary, Las Vegas, NV

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)

LOOKING FOR FIELD TRIP IDEAS FOR YOUR CLASS? Visit the Albany Pine Bush Preserve and experience a globally rare habitat minutes from downtown Albany and Schenectady! LET YOUR SENSE OF WONDER GROW IN THE ALBANY PINE BUSH PRESERVE At the Albany Pine Bush Preserve, students explore real-world phenomena and learn through inquiry-based investigations. • We offer programs for grades pre-k through high school, homeschool groups, colleges, Scouting groups and other special interest groups. • Visit the Discovery Center, a one-of-a-kind interpretive center with interactive exhibits, demonstration gardens, accessible outdoor Discovery Trail and more. • For information on program logistics, fees and resources visit AlbanyPineBush.org • Bus funding available through the Friends of the Pine Bush Community Ticket to Ride grant. Details at PineBushFriends.org • In-classroom teacher kits are available for loan at no cost. School Group Volunteer Opportunities We also offer community service opportunities for classes to complete in the preserve including: invasive species removal, seed collection and trash pick-up. For more info visit www.albanypinebush.org/schools or call 518-456-0655

Collaborative Pianist/Accompanist