We kicked off our 2024-2025 live arts experience season with a puppet show for 2nd graders at Court Square Theater in late October. Hailing from Richmond, Virginia, Barefoot Puppet Theater presented their original work "New Squid on the Block" to nearly 1,500 2nd grade students from Harrisonburg City and Rockingham County during their week-long residency.  This experience was partially funded by a grant from The Community Foundation of Harrisonburg and Rockingham County.

Beautifully handcrafted puppets of penguins, orcas, and jellyfish coupled with an original score took students on a journey to Antarctica where a curious squid sought friendship in the most unlikely of places. The comedic, wordless performance celebrated our ability to create connections, despite our differences, in this heartwarming tale of friendship. 

Thanks to our partners and friends, Tall and Small Photography, for capturing the fun!

For the 16th year, Harrisonburg High School Bands performed for over 3,500 K-2 students from Harrisonburg City and Rockingham County! The annual Tiny Tots concerts feature our oldest students performing for our youngest. This fun, interactive experience introduces students to various band instruments, aspects of conducting, and music techniques. Song selection included favorites from Disney movies and popular children's TV shows, complete with a sing-along! 

Check out these joyful images from Tall and Small Photography!

Jack London’s classic tale came to life with engaging storytelling, projected illustrations, and original music for over 250 middle school students from Rockingham County Public Schools. In this multi-media adventure, students followed Buck, the magnificent offspring of a St. Bernard and Scottish Collie, who was kidnapped from his lavish life on a California estate and sent to work as a sled dog during the great Klondike Gold Rush. This thrilling tale of courage and survival featured acclaimed actor Noel Gaulin and a stunning array of illustrations from the book’s first edition and period photographs. Following the performance, students engaged in peer to peer reflection and a thoughtful question and answer session with the artist.

Any Given Child Shenandoah Valley is grateful to our Premiere Performance Partner, the Forbes Center for the Performing Arts at James Madison University, who made this collaboration possible.

Thanks to our partners and friends Tall + Small Photography for capturing the energy of this one-man show.

Last week, 4th graders from Harrisonburg City Public Schools and Rockingham County Public Schools experienced the dynamic duo, Collision of Rhythm, in Wilson Hall at James Madison University. Comprised of tap-dancing classical virtuoso, Aaron Williams, and beatbox-juggling keynote speaker, Bronkar Lee, Collision of Rhythm is a high energy duo that fills the stage as a 12-person ensemble would. With audience interaction woven throughout the hour long performance, students experienced everything from drumming, beatboxing, tap dancing, juggling, marimba, piano, and flute through storytelling, humor, and personal stories.

Any Given Child Shenandoah Valley is grateful to our Premiere Performance Partner, the Forbes Center for the Performing Arts at James Madison University, who made this collaboration possible.

Enjoy the photos and video below from our partners and friends Tall + Small Photography 

In partnership with our Premiere Performance Partner, The Forbes Center for the Performing Arts at JMU, 2nd grade students from Harrisonburg City Public Schools were taken back in time to pre-historic Australia for a breathtaking tour of 19 life-like dinosaurs! Hailing from Australia, Erth Visual and Physical Inc, a team of skilled puppeteers and professional paleontologists, brought the past to life at Wilson Hall for the 400 students in attendance. The company is recognized internationally as a innovator of physical and visual theatre and creator of brave and exciting work for children. Throughout the educational and highly interactive performance, brave student volunteers got on stage to pat, feed, and interact with the dinosaurs and puppeteers.

Enjoy the photos below from Tall and Small Photography.

In partnership with our Premiere Performance Partner, The Forbes Center for the Performing Arts at JMU, 3rd grade students from Rockingham County came to campus for a dance workshop, hosted by JMU Dance. Students experienced portions of a dance program from the Virginia Repertory Dance Company, a group of select JMU Dance majors. 

Hosted by JMU Dance Program faculty, company dancers performed two modern choreographic works from their upcoming show and talked with the 3rd grade audience about elements of dance and movement to watch for during the performance. The interactive program also had 3rd graders participating with elements of movement and rhythm, culminating with a short choreographed dance in their seat. ​

Enjoy the photos below from Tall and Small Photography.

A few weeks ago, 1,425 Harrisonburg City and Rockingham County middle schoolers experienced a live performance from world-renowned jazz musician Makinto. The Liberian-German composer, musician, singer, and storyteller played jazz flute, piano, and percussion for students during his two-day residency. The interactive and engaging program highlighted music from around the world.  

We were thrilled to partner with the EMU Music Department to bring Makinto to our students. He was in Harrisonburg for the EMU Gala, where he premiered a new composition. 

In partnership with our Premiere Artist Partner, Furious Flower Poetry Center, Harrisonburg City Public School students at Skyline and Thomas Harrison Middle Schools participated in a poetry workshop with Sudanese-American poet, Safia Elhillo. After reading her poetry, Safia led the students in a generative writing session where they created a poem based on prompts, questions, and descriptions about things, places, people, and moments that feel like home. At the end of the workshop, students were encouraged to share their work with the group. Supported by peers, a few brave students found their creative voice. Read more about this workshop in this Daily News Record article. 

Photo credit: Tall and Small Photography

We were thrilled to again provide 3rd graders in Harrisonburg City Public Schools and Rockingham County Public Schools with an opportunity to participate with the Virginia Children's Theatre during a two-week long residency about the water cycle. Together with our local Teaching Artist, students learned about the water cycle and states of matter through movement, storytelling, choreography, and music. We received excellent feedback from students and teachers, including these quotes:

• The class was super engaged and the whole brain teaching strategy connected with ALL the students. Great lesson and SOL preparation!
• One of my English Language Learners (ELL) was so entertained! She was laughing, participating, and learning new vocabulary in a very meaningful way.
• Loved seeing one of my autistic kiddos really getting into the states of matter song!
• It was great to see two of my more apprehensive special education (SPED) students engaged and participating in the activities.
• I saw students who normally sit unengaged moving, participating, and smiling.

Blending the arts with Virginia SOL concepts expand and extend learning in meaningful and new ways; this is arts integration for the benefit of our students! We're grateful to the Arts Council of the Valley for Advancing the Arts Grant monies that helped make this residency possible.

Special thanks to our friends and partner, Tall and Small Photography, for capturing a few sessions. Look at how engaged these students are in learning!