Targets Arts-Holiday Residency Teaching Artist Check– In 12/13/10-12/17/10

Targets Arts- Holiday Residency

Teaching Artist Check – In

Name and School: Ellison Parks Week of 12/13-12/17/10

Goals for the week: Make sure choreography is memorized; rehearse the students in the flamenco choreography; Junkanoo art project; prepare the students for visit to Boston for Radio City Music Spectacular; prepare students for residency culmination next Tuesday including performance by guest artist and informational letter to be sent home

Achievements/Accomplishments What worked well this week? The students loved the art project creating a Junkanoo costume piece which we will use at the beginning of our presentation; students have fully memorized the flamenco choreography and are adding style to their movements.

Challenges and Solutions

Identify some challenges you faced this week and what you did to meet them.

After asking for more teachers to be present during our class, we had more help focusing the children and the more teachers who participated; the more the children did too. There are a large number of students who are so very focused on the dance and participate fully, but there is also a contingency of kids who just desire to run around and I cannot say they do not want to participate, because they have told me they like it, they just cannot seem to stay focused for long stretches of time. Sometimes, I have to realize that I am more distracted by them than are their peers.

Peer to Peer/Buddy System Notes

Let us know what relationships are forming and how things are going with your assistant: Carol strongly led the art project and with a very simple model, gave each child the ability to create and then be able to wear proudly their creation.

Attendance and participant behavior issues: There still continues to be a number of students who cannot keep their hands off of each other and the school really does nothing to hinder this; whether the contact is a friendly one or a threatening one. There does not seem to be a “bullying” policy in place and at times each child in that room does something that could be perceived as threatening and or caring.

Other comments/concerns/questions: I am honored to be a part of this residency program. It has given me great insight into the artistic needs of communities in the Boston area. I will continue to strive to add my love of art to these communities, because I see how interested the students, faculty and parents are. Citi Performing Arts Center has created a wonderful program not only of bringing arts into schools but also bringing the schools to the art. I loved every minute of this program and I hope to continue my partnership with the Citi Performing Arts Center in the future!

Targets Arts-Holiday Residency Teaching Artist Check– In 11/29/-12/3/2010

Targets Arts- Holiday Residency

Teaching Artist Check–In

School: Ellison-Parks; Week of 11/29/2010-12/3/2010

My goals for this week:  

  Continue flamenco choreography, student memorization of choreography, increase student involvement, continue yoga poses and message of goodwill to all, non-possessiveness, self acceptance, peace, respect for self and others. 

Achievements/Accomplishments What worked well this week?  

  The increase of choreographic memorization has more and more students involved. I came at the class with a new tactic on Monday. I used a predetermined play list which includes:  warm up songs, the flamenco choreography's song and Junkanoo music. I just get the kids moving at the onset of class. They follow me through the warm ups and Carol joins in and also helps to quiet down the more unruly students and she tries to keep some order. I challenge the kids to reach for high levels of learning and memorization and I just keep the music going. I have incorporated yoga, Junkanoo and flamenco into the warm up. 

  The style of flamenco I am using for the choreography is Rumba Flamenco:

Flamenco Rumba (also called Rumba Flamenca, Rumba Gitana, Gypsy Rumba or Spanish Rumba) is a style of Flamenco music which derives its style from the influence of Afro-Cuban Rumba brought back from Cuba to Spain in the 19th century. It is usually accompanied by guitars and hand clapping (Palmas). However, modern performers (guitarists and dance groups) such as Paco de Lucia and Tomatito have incorporated congas and cajon to the percussion section as well as hand clapping.

Challenges/ Solution Identify some challenges you faced this week and what you did to meet them.

  I had previously determined the need to reduce the "free time" during the class and I accomplished this with my new play list, choreography and then using the yoga as a way to calm the kids down at the end. They continue to love "Yogini Went To Sea" which is a yoga song I use and I make sure that is something we do before the end of class. I end each class with savasana, which is for total relaxation and self focus.

Peer to Peer/Buddy System Notes Let us know what relationships are forming and how things are going with your assistant:

  Many students are interested in continuing to dance with me, which I know will be difficult since I do not live in their area. I appreciate their connection to my art and myself and feel honored at their desire to learn more from me.

Attendance and participant behavior issues:

  There are some kids who just do not listen to directions and I have learned to "ignore" a large part of it. I have every child continue to be a part of the learning process and encourage each child to rise above the noise and commotion and have self focus. I have noticed a number of students who really are participating 100% and are learning and memorizing the material and are becoming role models for the students around them.

 

Residency Wrap Up: One Day Before Thanksgiving Break

This week (11/21-11/23) in the Target In-School Artists Residency Program, I introduced flamenco rhythms and technique; Began work on the flamenco choreography; Introduced Epiphany; Reinforced the Junkanoo steps and music; and Continued our yoga practice.

The students really enjoyed and focused on the flamenco technique; they continue to enjoy the yoga with some kids remarking they want to become yoga teachers when they grow up; they love the free spirited moves and music of Junkanoo.

I note that the children do not deal well with the transitions between the three class elements and it often takes us much time to get them settled back into the rhythm of the class. I have decide to approach the class differently when we return on Monday. I will start immediately with a predetermined warm-up (using flamenco, Junaknoo and yoga movements) for the first 20 minutes which we will return to at the beginning of each class. I will then go right into the flamenco choreography which I will run repeatedly with them and then add more steps as they are ready. If time allows, we will return to a more meditative yoga session at the end of class as a way of closure.

I am enjoying working with my assistant, Carol GS. She is an eager learner and is becoming connected to the class dynamics and has good insights to share n the creative process and on dealing with 33 third graders (ha ha). She is still finding her own way into the class and tries many ways to be involved and effective.

What can I say...one day before Thanksgiving break? The kids were way out there today (smile). But as we noted they come in with smiles and they leave with smiles.

Today, I taught a special lesson on Aparigraha, non-possessiveness, and I explained that each child is born with special gifts....some run fast, some dance well, some are artists, some are good in math, some have straight hair...and that we should each be thankful for the gifts that we were born with. I gave each student a slip of paper  and anonymously they wrote down something that makes them special. They came up with many things such as I stated above but one girl noted that everyone hates her and she has no gifts and she ended by saying "help me". This is a cry for help from her and I have noted previously the ups and down of her moods and the valleys are deep there. We will pay special attention to her and try to keep her involved with the program, to find her place within it. I am trying to decide how to share these thoughts with the students and with the school.

Saturday Morning Private lessons...and Radio City Christmas Spectacular

Saturday mornings have turned into a time when I teach private lessons. I love this time so much. I am at home, in my own space, working one-on-one with students who are seeking to discover more about dance in their own bodies. We deal with technique, choreography and self-expression. I especially enjoy the connect I get to have with these students. It is awakening to my soul and allows me to tap into my source and share.

I will add a special shout out to Nick Bazo, Manager of School Programs, Citi Performing Arts Center

who has taken me into the fold and will be including me in a 6 week residency in the Boston Public Schools in conjunction with Target. 

THE TARGET ARTS IN-SCHOOL THEATRE RESIDENCY PROGRAM 2010-2011: RADIO  CITY CHRISTMAS SPECTACULAR.
"The Target Arts program, now in its second year, is a unique city-wide collaboration among Boston’s fine arts, cultural, and municipal organizations. The program aims to improve school success, engage families, and strengthen community by giving access to Boston’s rich offerings of music, dance, visual arts, theater and cultural events to students and families who typically have no opportunity to engage in the professional performing arts. Arts and cultural enrichment celebrations will develop diverse audiences by bringing information to the community through school-based development, community outreach, and citywide collaboration. The BPS Arts Office in partnership with Citi Performing Arts Center coordinates Target Arts programming.This programming includes in-school residencies and special guest artist visits and an invitation to view professional performances at Citi Performing Arts Center and other Boston Theatre District venues."

These city schools are nearly devoid of art classes, so I want to give three cheers for Target and thank them for their generosity. Thank you also to Ms. Adrienne Hawkins for the great reference!

Ole Namaste!