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!

A few weeks ago, eighth grade students from Harrisonburg City Public Schools experienced the dynamic duo, Collision of Rhythm, at the Forbes Center for the Performing Arts 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. The students experienced everything from drumming, beatboxing, tap dancing, juggling, marimba, piano, flute, and saxophone, with storytelling, humor, personal stories, and audience interaction woven throughout the performance. 

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 below from our partners and friends Tall + Small Photography 

Science. Comedy. KABOOM!

In partnership with our Premiere Performance Partner, the Forbes Center for the Performing Arts at James Madison University, 2nd grade students from Rockingham County Public Schools attended an interactive science and comedy show by Doktor Kaboom. Actor and comedian, David Epley, uses his alter ego to introduce concepts in physics, optics, and chemistry while promoting science safety and self-esteem, blending his love of performing arts with his love of science. Students experienced an explosive lineup of science experiments in this wonderful show filled with laughter and curiosity.

For a glimpse into Doktor Kaboom's approach and performance, check out this two minute video. 

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

Aura CuriAtlas from Willamsburg, Virginia performed for over 1,000 6th grade students from Rockingham County Public Schools at Lehman Auditorium on the campus of Eastern Mennonite University. 

Aura CuriAtlas develops performances with innovative collaborators using dance, theatre, acrobatics, circus performance, sound, and text. For the RCPS students, performers presented Dream Logic - a selection of short stories including audience participation. Students and teachers both took center stage in a fun performance where they were encouraged to take pride in their own artistic imagination.

Any Given Child Shenandoah Valley is proud to have partial support from the National Endowment for the Arts and the Virginia Commission for the Arts to ensure equitable access of the arts for the students of Rockingham County Public Schools. We're grateful to our premiere artist partner, Eastern Mennonite University Music Department, for use of Lehman Auditorium. Enjoy the photos below from our partners and friends of Tall + Small Photography.

For the 15th year, Harrisonburg High School Bands performed for over 3,800 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!

Wisconsin Poet Laureate, Milwaukee’s 2021 Artist of the Year, writer, performance artist, and creative change agent, Dasha Kelly Hamilton visited Skyline Middle School to share an abbreviated version of her program, Makin' Cake. Part history lesson, part social science revelation, the show served up a conversation about equity in America using storytelling, digital media, and audience participation. SKMS 7th grade students dug into into American history, exploring race, culture and class in a refreshing and fun way. 

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.