China Patterns Spectacular athleticism one moment, pure grace and precision the next. This program features a new interactive movement theater portion that will bring the Chinese classical poem of the folktale of Mulan to life, as well as a diverse selection of Chinese dances performed in full, traditional costumes. Students will get to learn Mandarin phrases, traditions, and dance movements through interactive segments included in the program. Program Length: 45 min

Yoga promotes inner and outer strength, confidence and self-esteem. Students learn how to move their bodies using yoga poses, connect with their breath using breathing techniques and still their minds using visualization. Mindfulness is the ability to stay present in the moment as it is, to pay attention on purpose. Students learn focusing and calming techniques allowing them to stay present. These practices of self care will certainly serve them throughout their entire lives. Students work at their own pace in a fun, supportive environment. Donna has certifications ERYT 500, RCYT, RPYT, YACEP through Yoga Alliance, teaching for over 25 years and has extensive experience teaching students in schools and camps for over 15 years.

Enormously inspiring assemblies based on author David Greenberg's books in two areas, 1/ Poetry Picture Books, and 2/ Human Rights (based on his novel from Dutton, A Tugging String).

Theatre for Young Audiences at the Historic Cohoes Music Hall Celebrate the 150th anniversary of the Cohoes Music Hall, the 4th oldest operating music hall in the U.S., with our annual Theatre for Young Audiences productions! Hosted at this iconic venue, these lively, educational musicals bring beloved characters to life, blending classroom lessons, catchy tunes, and plenty of laughs for audiences of all ages. Introducing students to theatre arts fosters creativity, collaboration, and problem-solving while connecting classroom learning to the stage. Our shows offer students the opportunity to experience the thrill of live theatre, learn proper theatre etiquette, and engage in post-show discussions that enhance camaraderie and conversation in the classroom. Educators will also receive a curriculum-based activity packet before the performance, designed to explore the creative process and core themes of the production.

Ithaca Children’s Garden (ICG) offers hands-on, play- and nature-based learning opportunities that support curiosity, creativity, and environmental understanding. Programs include Pop-Up Play Days — playworker-led experiences using open-ended “loose parts” that spark imagination and child-directed exploration — hosted at schools or at ICG, as well as educator-guided field trips to our 3-acre Garden where students explore plants, habitats, and the rhythms of the seasons. ICG also brings learning directly into classrooms through interactive lessons on insects, gardening, food systems, and more that complement classroom curriculum through personalized, sensory-rich experiences.

We offer professional quality live musical theater productions featuring local talent and full live orchestras as well as straight plays, with a focus on works that are typically on required reading lists for area high school students.

The ELLEN SINOPOLI DANCE COMPANY offers a range of workshops and performances for schools using dance narrative and technique to bring new meaning to literature, science, math and social studies. These are designed to offer young people the opportunity to experience the bravery of creativity and invention; to step into the realm of how one might learn differently and to see themselves in the most positive way possible. All programs can be customized to meet the unique needs of each school. ESDC’s participatory performances bring that same use of creativity and imagination for young people to enjoy. Story Hours allow children to see books through movement rather than just words, enhancing the learning adventure. CREATIVE MOVEMENT WORKSHOPS: (Grades: K-12) $225 Held on their own or in conjunction with an ESDC performance, workshops are designed to nurture the creative potential of each student and to encourage kinesthetic learning experiences while deepening their understanding of classroom curriculum. Led by 2 dancers and a musician, these workshops introduce children to the basic elements of dance: movement skills, body shapes/parts, space, time, force and form. Students explore theme-based ideas transforming themselves through movement choices to become bats, monkeys and jaguars from the rainforest; mimicking earthquakes exploding from the center to ripple out; experiencing the dynamics of reflection and refraction while moving through space. Students present a sampling of their activities for fellow classmates and families. PARTICIPATORY AND REPERTORY PERFORMANCES SCIENCE IN MOTION: BRINGING SCIENCE TO LIFE (Grades: K-5) $2000 An interactive program that brings the study of clouds, water, birds and their habitats to life. ESDC performs selections from its repertory as well as inviting students to join the dancers on stage to join in the exploration. ESDC’s CHOREOPHYSICS (Grades 9-12) $2500 Lecture/Demonstration, designed for High Schools students, is based on the laws of Physics. IF BOOKS COULD DANCE! CHILDREN’S LITERATURE THROUGH DANCE (Grades: K-5) $2000 Exploring literature, poetry, creativity, and visual art with movement, ESDC brings books to life. These captivatingly creative dances incorporate the stories of Kobi Yamada’s What Do You Do With an Idea?, poetry from Jack Prelutsky’s Behold the Bold Umbrellaphant, and Maurice Sendak’s Where the Wild Things Are. UNDERCOVER PLAYGROUND: A SITE-SPECIFIC OUTDOOR PERFORMANCE (Grades: K-5) $2000 This performance is created exclusively for your school playground with dancers utilizing the equipment in unexpected and fun-filled ways. This playful performance is outside and outside-of-the-box! The space offers each audience member a unique perspective and an opportunity to get up close and personal with the dance and the dancers. Live musical accompaniment! DANCE BY CHANCE: A FUN, INTERACTIVE SHOW INTEGRATING MATHEMATICS (Grades: 3-6) $2000 Mixing math with movement and matching learning to fun, we ask the audience math questions in an engaging way, leaving pencil and paper behind. The show teases their brain power, enhancing classroom learning in fun and unique ways. SEE THE DANCE! HOW MOVEMENT CAN BE USED TO COMMUNICATE (Grades: K-12) $2000 Favorite works from ESDC's repertory will be selected based on your school’s needs and interests, areas of study, or curriculum. This performance demonstrates how creativity and movement capture thoughts, ideas, actions, emotions, images, and concepts. FROM THE MIND OF A SINGLE, LONG VINE ONE HUNDRED OPENING LIVES (Grades:3-12) $2500 ESDC unites dance and visual arts through timeless stories inspired by African influenced wood sculptures created by craftsman Jim Lewis. The dance follows a community of people through the universal aspects of childhood, leadership, conflict, death, and healing from within. Students are encouraged to think about their role in the global community, working together to create a better place. MOVEMENT STORY HOUR: LITERACY THROUGH MOVEMENT (Grades: PreK-3) $125 Reading from the company’s library of children’s books, ESDC incorporates creative movement to enhance the reading experience. Children become a part of the story and find a love of reading!

Caravan to Cairo transports you to the exotic realms of the Arabian Nights, bringing you authentic unique folkloric dances from North Africa to the Middle East. This delightful dance journey through the Near East, choreographed by Samara, one of today’s finest international performers of Middle Eastern dance, offers a diversity of engaging styles and rhythms, lavish, colorful costumes, and a charming story theater adaptation of a timeless Arabic folktale. A brief, participatory dancing instruction and a Q&A session round off the entertainment. This program can also provide artist workshops and residencies in addition to classroom teaching.

Growth Mindset Through Real Failure. New York Times bestselling author Mark Cheverton visits schools with an interactive presentation that shows students how persistence, reflection, and learning from setbacks lead to improvement. Using humor, audience participation, and real examples from his own journey, Mark shares the many years of rejection and false starts he had to endure before ever finding any success as an author. A Story Students Connect With. Students laugh, participate, and follow along as Mark tells the true story behind becoming an internationally published author. He is the author of 32 novels, including his bestselling series of Minecraft books, many of which are already in your school’s library and have been read by your students. The visit concludes by encouraging students to write their own stories and share them on a kids-safe fan fiction website, motivating continued writing beyond the presentation. Mark can do multiple presentations throughout the day, keeping the groups small to encourage interaction. In addition, he’ll have lunch with select students and autograph books at the end of the day. You can learn more about his presentation at https://markcheverton.com/author-visits/ Schools interested in scheduling a visit are encouraged to contact Mark Cheverton for availability and details.

Alisa Sikelianos-Carter offers dynamic, multi-day art workshops, artist talks, studio visits, and assemblies designed to engage students in creative exploration and critical thinking. Her programs invite participants to connect personal stories, cultural memory, and material experimentation through hands-on projects in drawing, painting, printmaking, collage and mixed media. Each session encourages curiosity, reflection, and collaboration, while introducing students to contemporary art practices and the role of art as a tool for self-expression and community building.

The author/illustrator of over 30 children’s books, Eric Velasquez is also the recipient of the NAACP Image Award for outstanding literature of children. His pre-K - 12 programs are admired by students and teachers alike-- Eric is as good a storyteller in person as he is on the page. During his 45-60 minute presentations, Eric generally relates his personal dual-heritage experience growing up in Spanish Harlem, accompanied by the autobiographical illustrations and music featured in his books. He also explains his writing and artistic process from brainstorming through revision, culminating in a live portrait session (projected on screen so every student can see), which is accompanied by a Q&A.

Your school will be amazed at the magic. They will laugh at the hysterical comedy. But most importantly, they will get excited about being Fit! The bFit Show is a 45-minute elementary fitness and nutrition program designed to get your kids interested in getting Fit. The show uses magic, comedy, juggling, music, and tons of audience participation to deliver a powerful and motivational message that kids in America need to hear! The bFit Show uses magic, comedy, juggling, and audience participation to get your elementary school excited about eating healthy, fitness, nutrition, and exercise! Students, teachers, parents, and administrators will love and talk about The bFit Show for days, weeks, and months to come. And this program may help your school fight child obesity, diabetes, and heart disease! The bFit Show with Brian Richards is an elementary health and fitness assembly that will get your students up and moving!