PROFESSIONAL OUTREACH OPPORTUNITIES: SCHOOL ASSEMBLIES

This year we are proud to offer a wide range of local and regional performers who will entertain, engage, and educate your students. Professional artists will perform in your school’s MPR or auditorium for class groups consisting of 60 to 300 students. For detailed information about the following performers and programs, as well as fees, availability and individual requirements, please download the Arts Education Season Brochure. All assemblies are based on availability.

Skip Cunningham: Tap Dancer Extraordinaire!
Appropriate for grades K-12
Entertainer Skip Cunningham is one of America’s great song and dance men. Skip is a tap dancer and master entertainer who has worked in virtually every aspect of the show business industry. He has performed on Broadway and in such movies as “The Cotton Club,” “Tap” and “The Detective.” This 45-minute assembly will offer an exhibition of his legendary dance moves and will include student involvement while weaving a historical component of the golden age of jazz and the art form of American dance. Skip’s assemblies emphasize presentation, not just footwork, and the importance of becoming a complete dancer. Your students will love his performance. Skip’s assembly is a great way to celebrate Black History Month.

Harp and Flute: Musical Presentation
Appropriate for grades K-12.
Arpa y Aulos is an ensemble inspired by two of the most ancient, historical instruments: the lyre and the aulos. Designed as musical journeys through time, the programs of Arpa y Aulos encompass music from the Renaissance to the present day. Just as it is important to understand the music of the past, it is vital to play the music of our time. To that end, the duo has commissioned new music written especially for the ensemble. The duo specializes in concert-lectures in both English and Spanish and has been very active in community concerts and educational programs throughout Los Angeles and Southern California.

L.A. Opera Assembly Programs
Appropriate for grades K-12.
The PAC is proud to present two fun, interactive 45-minute recital programs designed for K-12 students and featuring artists from the L.A. Opera performing “Sing Out Loud!” and “Don't Be Afraid; It's Just Opera!” Speakers from the L.A. Opera Speakers Bureau and teacher materials are available to further enhance and enrich these programs for your students.

Mary Pickford Mobile Film Classroom
Appropriate for grades 3-12
The Mobile Film Classrooms (MFC1 & MFC2) represent a revolutionary way of teaching in the digital age. Today’s youth speak a digital language. They are engaged and excited to learn through digital media. Digital media as a teaching tool is immediate, relevant and current. The MFC project was conceptualized, designed and implemented by the Mary Pickford Institute for Film Education as a unique educational opportunity on wheels. Each vehicle is a complete mobile digital production unit equipped with iMac workstations, cameras, microphones, video and audio editing software, sound recording booth and DVD production equipment. Instructors guide students through the digital media creation process, as they create their own, unique video projects. Since its inception in early 2006, the Mobile Film Classroom has served more than 5,000 Los Angeles area elementary, middle and high school students.

Santa Clarita Symphony: Children’s Instrument Petting Zoo
Appropriate for grades K- 6
Established in 2005, the “Zoo,” part of the symphony's initiative to promote early childhood music education, has brought the excitement of playing orchestral instruments to hundreds of Santa Clarita Valley children. This hands-on musical experience is now available for your school. Each instrument petting zoo showcases a particular instrument demonstrated by one of the symphony’s talented professional musicians. Each child will have the opportunity to hold, receive instruction and, in some cases, play their very first notes on an instrument.

COLLEGE ENSEMBLES

Want a lower priced option? Why not consider one of our student ensembles from the Performing Arts Departments at College of the Canyons? Classroom and MPR assemblies that range from choral singing to improv are available.

• COC MUSIC
Appropriate for grades K-12

Les Chanteuses
Your students will have an opportunity to become part of a choir when COC’s own women's choir performs selected choral pieces and leads students in sing-a-longs. Songs will be age-appropriate and easy for students to learn quickly.

Electronic Music Guided Tour
Appropriate for grades 9-12
Groups of 15 to 20 students will have an opportunity to tour the electronic music lab at COC. Students will be able to create their own music as a group.

• COC THEATRE
Appropriate for grades 7-12

Improv: Comedians of the Canyons
Student actors from COC’s Improvisation class perform scenes based on audience suggestions.

FREE PERFORMANCES

The PAC is proud to host three educational bus-in performance opportunities for your students to engage with professional artists at no charge to your school. Seating is available on a first-come, first-served basis. Schools must arrange transportation, and cost of buses is not included.

The Crayon Court
Friday, October 2, 2009, 9:30am
Appropriate for grades K-2
This interactive, multi-media musical and puppet extravaganza allows the audience to explore the worlds of art, color and music through the presentation of a whimsical kingdom where crayons come to life. The audience will experience “colornometry” (the mixing of colors) while enjoying the three dimensional story of “The Colorful, Wonderful Rainbow Ball,” presented by The Crayon Court.

Spirit of Uganda
Monday, February 8, 2010, 10:30am
Appropriate for grades 6-8
Embodying the warmth and light of their nation, Spirit of Uganda is a group of 22 children between the ages of 8 and 18, cultural ambassadors for Uganda’s 2.5 million orphans. Resonant with melodic tones of standing drums, dramatic choreography, bright layered rhythms and gorgeous vocals, Spirit of Uganda brings the transformational power of their native song and dance to America in this spirit and hope-filled performance for audiences of all ages.

Lula Washington Dance Theatre
Friday, April 30, 2010; 10:30am
Appropriate for grades 4-5
The Lula Washington Dance Theatre is a 10-member modern dance company that has risen to become one of the largest and most admired African-American dance companies in the West. The company is known for exploring theatrical, entertaining, and energetic works that are accessible to all audiences. Choreography is set to a range of music from experimental to blues. Lula Washington Dance Theatre’s repertory unveils honesty, integrity, and directness of unparalleled power

ALMOST FREE FAMILY SERIES

The Almost Free Family Series is a series of outstanding family-focused performances priced for the family to enjoy! Although our Almost Free Family Series performances are not available during the school week, teachers may enjoy putting together a group of students to see these performances. VAPA Standard Teacher Study Guides are available. Take advantage of our group discounts: 15 to 49 people receive a 10 percent discount off the regular ticket price and one free ticket to the group leader/coordinator. Fifty or more people receive a 15 percent discount off the regular ticket price and one free ticket to the group leader/coordinator.)

The Crayon Court
Saturday, October 3, 2009, 2pm
Appropriate for grades K-2
At this interactive, multi-media musical and puppet extravaganza, the audience will explore the worlds of art, color and music through the presentation of a whimsical kingdom where crayons come to life. The audience will experience “colornometry” (the mixing of colors) while enjoying the three-dimensional story of “The Colorful, Wonderful Rainbow Ball,” presented by The Crayon Court. Teacher study guides are available.

A Year With Frog and Toad
Saturday, January 30, 2010, 2pm
Appropriate for grades K-3
The classic tale of the friendship between Frog and Toad comes to life on stage. Presented by iTheatrics, this production entertains and educates students as they watch Frog and Toad’s experiences in gardening, cooking, animal behaviors and dance. Pre- and post-show classroom discussion study guides are available to enhance National Standards Guidelines presented in “A Year With Frog and Toad.” Teacher study guides are available.

Max and Ruby
Saturday, May 1, 2010, 2pm
Appropriate for grades K-3
Big sisters have big responsibilities, especially when the little brother is a big troublemaker! Follow the escapades of bunny siblings Max and Ruby in this new musical inspired by Rosemary Wells' books and based on the popular television program on Nick Jr. and Noggin. Teacher study guides are available.