Individual Educator Types

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Amy St. Aubin

Amy St. Aubin received her BFA from Maryland Institute, College of Art in Baltimore MD, majoring in Painting. She has been involved with Arts Education for 25 years, beginning with the Community School of Art in Charlotte NC. Over the past 25 years she has taught in various programs from School 33 in Baltimore, Sawtooth Center for Visual Arts in Winston Salem NC, Blumenthal Performing Arts Center Education Institute, the McColl Center for Visual Art, and the Bechtler Museum of Modern Art, all in Charlotte NC. Ms. St. Aubin has been trained in Arts Integration through numerous Kennedy Center workshops while teaching with the BPAC-EI. She enjoys working with diverse populations, and allowing each student’s individual creativity to enhance their learning experience. Her lessons include Paper Mache Animals and Paper Mache Bowls, Character Portraits and Self Portraits, and Murals.

Billy Jonas

For 25 years, Billy Jonas, performer, singer-songwriter, composer, multi-instrumentalist, and educator, has perfected the art of the neo-tribal hootenanny around the globe – original songs performed with a generous dose of audience participation. Jonas performs using voice, guitar, and industrial re-percussion – homemade creations of buckets and barrels, keys and cans, bells and body percussion. Each concert is a soul-spelunking, heart healing, joy-filled journey of spirited music that is accessible to anyone and everyone, regardless of age or cultural background. Billy developed his craft in the late 1980‘s as a founding member of the Oberlin College Big Bang Theory performance art collective. He refined things further in Chicago during monthly “Bangalong with Billy” shows at the No Exit Cafe, and subsequently in the 1990‘s as a co-founder (with Bill Melanson) of the funky folk* duo The Billys. He currently tours solo, and with the Billy Jonas Band, which was honored with an invitation to perform at the White House in 2010. Jonas has received numerous honors and awards, including an American Federation of Independent Musicians 1st place/Gold, multiple Parents Choice Golds, and a New York Times “Best” listing. Billy Jonas has shared stages with many renowned artists, including Alison Krauss, Peter Yarrow, Keb’ Mo’, Mary Chapin Carpenter, Kathy Mattea, Paul Winter, Michele Shocked, Justin Bieber, Ani DiFranco, David Wilcox, Richard Thompson, and Pete Seeger.

Blackbird Studio

Hello! Thank you for viewing our programs. Blackbird Studio is a mobile art education studio offering a variety of unique art education programs. We offer school murals, 5th grade legacy projects, digital photography, animation, installation art, shirt design, painting and more! Please make sure to check out our website and view our promo video for more program information. We are available for workshops and residencies Monday-Friday including after school and weekends, based on availability. We work with students of all ages. We also offer fun professional development experiences for teachers! We conduct programs in-person and virtually. Our programs usually connect to art, literacy, technology and science standards. Pricing is based on the number of instructional hours, number of students and the materials required for the program. Contact us to receive a quote. Our price per class visit ranges from $125-$200 based on the length of each class. We offer custom programs. If you have an idea that is not on the list, please contact us to discuss your needs. Connect with us today to receive a quote or get your program on our calendar! Email: jen@blackbirdstudioclt.com Call/Text: 704-575-0006 Website: www.blackbirdschool.org About Blackbird Studio: Based out of Charlotte, NC, Black Bird Studio offers unique art education experiences for students of all ages. Our teaching artists are professional creatives who are passionate about making an impact while sharing what they do best. We offer one-day workshops and multi-day residencies in a variety of mediums that connect to the k-12 core curriculum. We value high quality final products and we have that vibe that the students just love! We are a multifaceted mobile art studio. Grant funding from the Arts and Science Council enables us to offer free programs to students across Charlotte Mecklenburg Schools who would not otherwise have access. Our partnerships with private schools, libraries, cultural centers and community events allow us to reach hundreds of students annually.

Brien Engel -- Glass Harp Music

STEM/STEAM value! Inspiration for young Makers! A unique and beautiful art form! Brien Engel presents the Glass Harp — an instrument of 50 stemmed glasses, which he plays by rubbing his moistened fingers on their rims. This enchanting art form dates back to the 18th century, and Brien is one of very few practitioners. He taught himself to play his first set in 1993, built on a summer trip to Olympia, Wa. His current instrument features 50 glasses, and is one of the largest in the world. While the glasses are his main musical focus, Brien has studied guitar for most of his life, and in recent years has discovered a love of mbira music of Zimbabwe. He has also composed original musical scores for puppet shows, live theatre, and film documentaries. Whether played with simple melodies or complex and ethereal harmonies, glass music has an unmistakable sound. Brien’s extensive repertoire includes his own originals, popular kid songs, jazz standards, and classical music, featuring historical compositions written for the glass armonica. Key concepts: SOUND PHYSICS, VIBRATION, FREQUENCY, PITCH, FRICTION, IMPROVISED MUSIC, GLASSMAKING, CLASSICAL/POPULAR MUSIC, FREE EXPERIMENTATION, INDUSTRIAL AGE, HISTORY, SOCIAL STUDIES, DESIGN AND CONSTRUCTION, INVENTION, BEN FRANKLIN, MOZART

Charles Pettee - Hear the Sound

Charles Pettee, guitar and mandolin-wielding songwriter from Asheville, NC, loves sharing not only the catchy rhythms of NC Bluegrass and Folk music, but also the segregation-defying stories behind this culturally diverse tapestry of sounds. Transitioning from fronting Chapel Hill, NC’s world-traveling Bluegrass band The Shady Grove Band for over 25 years, Mr. Pettee has become an accomplished teaching artist and music educator whose programs and residencies are in high demand throughout North and South Carolina. In addition to in-person programs, he is excited about using digital platforms to carry his musical message to an even wider audience. Pettee offers several age-adjusted presentations that align with NC Essential Standards for both Music and Social Studies for grades preK-2, 3-5, 6-8, and 9-12, as well as adults. He performs at festivals and special events with some of NC’s finest acoustic musicians, including his son, guitar player Jackson Pettee, under the name Slippery Hill. Pettee’s group FolkPsalm performs beautifully arranged settings of Pettee’s original Psalm settings. That group now boasts four full length albums. Pettee has logged over 6,000 performances over the course of his career, and has recently begun work on his 14th CD/album.

Dawn Anthony (DNAMuzic)

Dawn Anthony has served in the Charlotte area for over twenty years as a teaching artist and even longer as a performer. She enjoys utilizing music and history to build bridges to promote unity. By partnering with other creative artists, learning and performing experiences are enhanced. Dawn has produced programming around the Charlotte area highlighting the Harlem Renaissance, Motown, jazz, music technology, and vocal technique for soloists, choral ensembles and public speakers. Dawn earned her degree in music from Queens University of Charlotte, but still pursues her love for learning and teaching through cultural exchanges beyond the classroom.

Doug Berky Theatre

Doug Berky has been creating and evolving his own brand of physical theater for over thirty years. His original performances are an intricately woven fabric of Commedia Del Arte, physical comedy, mime, mask theatre, clowning, circus arts, and storytelling. Doug is known internationally for his mask construction. He designs and constructs the masks for his own performances as well as creating all of the sets, choreography, scripts and many of the costumes. Doug has been a featured performer and arts educator throughout North America and Europe including the Eugene O’Neil Theater Symposium, the Commedia School in Denmark, Roanoke College, the University of Wisconsin and Ohio’s Playhouse in the Park.

Erin Badger-Coffey, The Dancing Badger

Erin Badger-Coffey discovered at a young age that, like many children who are sensorially driven, she learns best through movement. Since 2013, Erin has been supporting early childhood educators by providing arts-integration professional development in the classroom and virtually throughout North Carolina and Virginia as a Wolf Trap Dance/Movement Teaching Artist. Most recently, Erin joined the team of Fellows with A+ Schools of North Carolina. She enjoys the process of creating and facilitating Arts Integration Workshops for Educators and families. In 2019 she became a Lead Dance Instructor for the Inspire Inclusion Dance program in Charlotte, NC where she leads creative movement classes for all ages and all abilities. She is a certified Kids Yoga Teacher. Erin graduated from the University of North Carolina School of the Arts (UNCSA), where she earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Contemporary Dance.

Hobey Ford's Golden Rod Puppets

Hobey Ford is known for excellence in puppetry performance and craft. His intricate shadow puppetry work and creation of the original rod puppets, the “Foamies”, have earned him a place on stages across the world. Hobey is a two-time winner of puppetry’s highest honor, the UNIMA Citation of Excellence, and recipient of three Jim Henson Foundation grants. He utilizes his artistic study at The State University of New York at Purchase and the University of North Carolina at Asheville to design and construct all of his Golden Rod Puppets and the beautiful sets that surround them. Hobey also draws on his early experiences growing up in coastal Connecticut or living in a Nevada Native American community in writing the scripts for some of his performances. For nearly thirty years, Hobey has widely toured his Golden Rod Puppets. Last spring Hobey was in Manama, Bahrain at the Spring of Culture Festival. He has performed at the Puppeteers of America Festival in Atlanta, & the International Festival in NC as well as numerous international children’s festivals in North America. His educational programs have taken him into schools across the country. In the past 3 years, in addition to his school performances, he has performed in performing arts centers including the Kennedy Center and Wolf Trap in DC, Playhouse in the Park in OH, Irving Arts in TX, LA Music Center in CA. Hobey has also performed in numerous libraries and taught at teacher institutes in many states. Hobey’s performances incorporate a variety of puppetry styles-Bunraku, rod, marionettes, “Foamies” & shadow puppetry. Hobey adapts folk tales from various cultures for many of his shows & always adds a special “Golden Rod” twist. He uses his own voice to create characters & sound effects, tell stories & sing.

Kevin Brawley

Kevin Brawley is an educator, children’s choir director, and public speaker with over 20 years experience as a national recording and touring artist. In 2019, he was named one of 30 National Music Teachers of Excellence by the CMA Foundation. After 10 years as the music teacher at Torrence Creek Elementary in CMS, he created “Studio Time with Mr. B” as a way to share the exciting things happening in his classroom in order to inspire students and other teachers, alike. He prides himself on having an inclusive and positive learning environment for all of his students – especially those with disabilities. His energetic and unorthodox teaching style is focused on student engagement and a willingness to search for unexpected teaching moments. He has been recognized nationally for his teaching and continues to speak to teachers and administrators around the country about innovative ways to teach students with autism.

Lona Bartlett - Storyteller, Puppeteer, Educator & Speaker

Lona Bartlett is a performance artist, storyteller, puppeteer and educator at schools, libraries, conferences, churches, festivals, corporate and special events. Degrees in education and a small town upbringing in the Catskill Mountains open a gateway to a long list of presentations. No matter the genre, whether folktales, fairytales, puppets, or personal stories, she loves bringing excitement and insight to stage and classroom. ASSEMBLIES, IN-CLASSROOM LESSONS AND RESIDENCIES New lessons, programs and performances are always being developed. Each program and performance lasts about 45 mins. Lessons and residencies can be customized to fit your needs. All lessons are directly related to the common core and interactive, allowing students to experience the art of puppetry, storytelling, poetry and music while gaining knowledge in the core academic lesson. Teacher’s Guides, Lesson Plans with Common Core and Essential Standard connections are available upon request after a program has been booked. TESTIMONIALS “Wow…I was very impressed with Lona’s storytelling! Lona needs to be on Jimmy Fallon. The students were very engaged in her presentation. I really enjoyed it.” — Libby Winthrow, Charlotte Mecklenburg Arts & Science Council “I highly recommend Lona as a teaching artist in your school or organization. She has many strengths, including her student-centered approach, her willingness and ability to create new lessons as requested by teachers, and her positive go-get-‘em attitude, that will enable her to be an asset to any school or organization. In the words of one of the teachers she worked with last year: Lona never disappoints!” — Michelle Youngs, Assistant Director of Education | Blumenthal Performing Arts Center “Lona inspires our students to reach above and beyond their potential. We love when she comes to our school.” — Connie Foster, Talent Development Teacher | Idlewild Elementary School, Charlotte, NC “Lona has a natural gift to bring stories alive filled with great imagination and creativity. Her work is very interactive and filled with collaborative lessons that teach what our teachers are working on in their curriculum.” — Frank Casstevens | Benton Heights Elementary School of the Arts “It was wonderful to have Mrs. Bartlett visit our school. She engaged the entire audience throughout her storytelling performances. The themes and curriculum connections were perfect. Very professional and a master of her craft!” — Brian Kothe, Music Teacher | Piney Grove Elementary School, Charlotte, NC

Maria Geary

Maria Geary is a mixed media and fiber artist based in Durham who works to explore the relationships between lived experiences and current society issues. A ‘creative inspirationalist’, her creative practice and business Relaxing In Art, is a word play of her nickname, ‘Ria. It serves as a reminder that creating art is a form of relaxing. As a teaching artist, she stresses the three R’s: REFLECT, RELATE and RELEASE. ____________________________________________________________________________________ EXPERIENCE June 2014 – Present Creative Inspirationalist, Relaxing in Art Studio, Durham, NC • Design and create mixed media and fiber artwork for clients and retail locations • Teaching artist that offers beginner classes in visual art that includes fiber, mixed media, card making and art journaling. October 2018 – Present Teaching Artist Artist Innovation Mentorship Program, North Carolina Museum of Art Creative Arts in Public and Private Schools (CAPS), Durham Arts Council Visual Arts Instructor, Student U, Durham Arts Council • Explore creative problem solving and introduce students to mixed media supplies and techniques • Create and organize project lesson plans to comply with NC Essential Arts Standard and Connecting Common Core State Standard(s) • Design and implement mixed media lessons for middle and high school students to explore various mediums and techniques October 2018 – March 2020 Creative Class Instructor, Scrap Exchange Durham, NC • Instructed hands on creative workshop where participants created greeting or affirmation cards, and mixed media art journal pages. June 2014 – Present Volunteer, Various organizations • Stage Design, community art projects, art groups and meet-ups __________________________________________________________________________________ RESIDENCIES / WORKSHOPS 2022 • Mixed Media Journaling – Northern High School, Durham, NC (grades 9-12) • Mixed Media Salt Painting – Summer Camp, Durham Public Schools (grades K-5) • Mixed Media Journals – Ignite! Academy, Durham Public Schools, Durham, NC (grades 6-8) • Mixed Media Journaling – Wayne County Boys and Girls Club, NCMA, Raleigh, NC (grades 6-8) 2021 • Mixed Media Journals – Ignite! Academy, Durham Public Schools, Durham, NC (grades 6-8) • Let’s Mix It Up – Operation Summer Learning, Durham, Public Schools (grades 6-8) 2019 • Mixed Media Art Journaling – The Scrap Exchange, Durham, NC (adults) • Creating Affirmation Cards – Relaxing In Art Studio, Durham, NC (adults) • Mixed Media Art Journaling – Relaxing In Art Studio, Durham, NC (adults) • 2018 • Mixed Media Art Journaling – The Scrap Exchange, Durham, NC (adults) • Creating Affirmation Cards – Relaxing In Art Studio, Durham, NC (adults) • Mixed Media Art Journaling – Relaxing In Art Studio, Durham, NC (adults) • Introduction to Sewing – The Scrap Exchange, Durham, NC (adults)

Marina Alexandra

Marina Alexandra has established herself as a dynamic performer with a powerful stage presence. FingerStyle Guitar Magazine described her as an “amazing player that commands the guitar with world-class technique and musicianship that is uncommon.” Marina Alexandra is a name that resonates with the essence of musical virtuosity. Hailing from Ukraine, this exceptional classical guitarist has captured the hearts of audiences worldwide through her unparalleled talent, dedication, and artistry. Marina’s journey into the world of music began at a tender age, just six years old, when she first picked up a guitar. Her innate passion and relentless pursuit of perfection set the stage for a remarkable career. In 1996, Marina and her family made the life-altering decision to immigrate to the United States. Little did they know that this move would be the catalyst for her rise to musical stardom. In 1998, Marina’s dedication bore fruit when she was awarded a full scholarship to the University of South Carolina, where she embarked on her quest for a Master of Music degree. It was during her time at the university that the world began to take notice of her exceptional talent. Her performances were showered with accolades, and she received awards in multiple national guitar competitions. Classical Guitar Magazine (UK) praised her with the following words: “She is of the elite class of musicians where technical assuredness is just taken for granted, and the listener hears and listens to the music, not the technique required to produce it.” Marina’s artistry transcends borders and resonates with diverse audiences. Her performances have graced the airwaves of National Public Radio stations and have been featured at national and international music festivals throughout the USA. Her presence on the famous TEDTalk stage went viral, captivating nearly 3 million viewers and leaving an indelible mark on the world of music. Beyond her remarkable performances, Marina is also a prolific recording artist. She has released two solo albums, “Timeless Enchantment,” featuring a diverse range of music from Baroque to Latin-American, and “A Moment of Magic,” highlighting modern guitar compositions by Nikita Koshkin. In 2015, she joined forces with flutist Teri Forscher-Milter to release the captivating album “Americas from North to South.” Her albums have garnered high praise from prestigious music publications such as Soundboard, Classical Guitar (UK), FingerStyle Guitar Magazine, and the American Record Guide. Marina’s passion for sharing her knowledge and nurturing young talents has led her to teach at esteemed institutions, including the University of South Carolina, Furman University (SC), Wingate University (NC), and Columbia College (SC). Her influence extends well beyond the classroom, as she is regularly invited to conduct Artist in Residency programs for schools in states such as South Carolina, North Carolina, Georgia, and Texas. Her dedication to fostering the next generation of musicians is further exemplified through her role as the Founding Director of the Southern Guitar Festival and Competition. Under her leadership, this event has become a prestigious platform for aspiring guitarists to showcase their talents and connect with the world of classical guitar. Marina’s students have achieved remarkable success, being accepted into prestigious music schools such as the Peabody Conservatory, Eastman School of Music, and the University of Southern California, among others. Her impact on the future of classical guitar is immeasurable. In recognition of her outstanding contributions to music education and the arts, Marina Alexandra has received multiple educational awards from the South Carolina Arts Council and creative grants from the SC Arts Commission, SC Humanities, NC Humanities, and NC Arts and Science Council. These accolades reflect her unwavering commitment to the world of music and her dedication to nurturing the next generation of artists. Marina Alexandra’s life is a testament to the power of passion, talent, and unwavering commitment to the world of classical guitar. Her artistry has touched the hearts and minds of countless individuals, and her legacy continues to inspire both aspiring musicians and music lovers worldwide.

Number Drummer

Number Drummer creator, Troy Kryzalka, has worked in music and education for over 20 years. Along with being a musician and classroom teacher, Troy has worked in curriculum and instruction as a trainer, coach, and developer. Number Drummer was created because Troy struggled to learn and understand music the traditional way. Math became his approach for learning music, so it naturally created his method for teaching. Troy has delivered his Number Drummer program to thousands of students and educators across the U.S., and has been recognized and awarded by Yale University for his innovative teaching approach. Interested in learning about a Number Drummer Live or Virtual experience? Connect at info@numberdrummer.com or visit numberdrummer.com

Patricia Stegura

Patricia Stegura, science educator and “science enthusiast”, has taught science enrichment programs from Pre-K through middle level grades. Her current program, CSI: “Adventures in Forensics”, has been captivating students’ sleuthing skills since 2011.This program has been featured on WISTV news in Columbia, SC as well as in the Charlotte Observer, The State newspaper, Irmo News, Chronicle-Independent, and The Newberry Observer.

Paul Taylor, Australian Culture

Paul “Walking Stick” Taylor is an Australian storyteller, didjeridoo player, singer, and cultural ambassador. He is a 2012 Finalist for Australian of the Year. Now based in Laramie, Wyoming, Paul Taylor has performed and taught for over 300,000 American children. He has been honored for his work with Arts in Education by being appointed Adjunct Professor in the University of Wyoming, College of Education. Paul’s family CD, “Cooee,” won six national awards including Parent’s Choice Gold and the Storytelling World Award. Paul studied acting at the Royal Academy in London, touring for seven years before coming to the US over ten years ago. Paul began studying with the Aboriginal people of his homeland in the early 1980’s and returns each summer to study with his mentor Bill Harney, custodian of the Wardaman culture of the Northern Territory, including its 10,000 year old rock paintings. Paul presents a one hour multi-media performance of music, stories, and slides of these Aboriginal rock paintings in “Land of the Lightning Brothers.” Taylor’s family concert “Matilda and the Dreamtime” features music, poetry and stories offering a unique look at Australian culture.

Reggie Harris

Reggie Harris has been affiliated with the John F Kennedy Center’s Partners in Education program for over two decades, offering both multimedia performances for students and communities as well as and in-depth workshops for educators at all grade levels. His writing, research, field work and recordings have amassed an amazing repertoire of African American music, blending spirituals and freedom songs, the old with the new. Mentored early on by Dr. Charles Blockson and by using music and storytelling to create captivating performances for audiences of all ages, he has raised awareness of the Underground Railroad, in young school audiences, college symposiums and adult concerts.

Roger Day

From his first job as a camp counselor to his current jam-packed concert and recording schedule Roger Day has been writing and performing smart, interactive music that encourages kids to SING LOUD, JUMP HIGH and DREAM BIG. Roger’s music comes from his heart. It’s infused with wry and silly observations about the world around us, and fun word play that tickles kids’ funny bones and moves them to think. His original songs are currently available on four acclaimed CDs, “Why Does Gray Matter? …and other brainy songs for kids”, “DREAM BIG!”, “Rock ‘n’ Roll Rodeo” and “Ready to Fly”. Roger is the winner of the prestigious Parents’ Choice Award and the National Association of Parenting Publication’s Award for his CD collections filled with clever lyrics that stretch kids’ minds, and upbeat rhythms that stretch their muscles. Roger plays over 200 concerts every year from The Bay Street Theater in Sag Harbor, New York to The Halton Theater in Charlotte, North Carolina. He’s been a featured artist at The Target Children’s Book Festivals in Chicago, Detroit and Boston; the International Children’s Festival in Edmonton, Alberta; and The Savannah Music Festival in Georgia. His songs can be heard on XMKiDs satellite radio. And his family concert video has been aired on public television.Roger tours from California to Maine and Canada at theaters, schools, festivals, libraries and museums. Roger is a magma cum laude graduate of Washington & Lee University who has also been a summer student at Oxford University in England and the University of Bayreuth in Germany.

Scott Ainslie

Considered a master of America roots music, Scott Ainslie brings a wealth of personal and musical history to the stage. With expertise in Ragtime & Delta Blues – and the banjo and fiddle traditions of the Southern Appalachians – in Ainslie’s hands the African and American roots of the music come alive in an engaging mix of history, stories, and song. A musician all his life, Ainslie took up guitar at age 15 about five weeks after hearing Virginia Bluesman John Jackson play a couple of songs in the middle of one of Mike Seeger’s concerts in Alexandria, VA in 1967. A Phi Beta Kappa and honors graduate of Washington & Lee University, Ainslie also studied with elder musicians on both sides of the color line – in the Old-Time Southern Appalachian fiddle and banjo traditions, as well as with black Gospel and Blues musicians. He transcribed the original recordings and published a book on Delta Blues legend Robert Johnson, Robert Johnson/At The Crossroads (Hal Leonard, 1992), and has an instructional DVD on Johnson’s guitar work, Robert Johnson’s Guitar Techniques (Hal Leonard, 1997). Ainslie has six solo CDs to his name and maintains an active recording, performing and teaching schedule that carries him around the country, to Canada, and to Europe. He has received numerous awards and grants for his work documenting and presenting traditional music. These include grants from the National Endowment for the Arts (a federal agency in Washington DC) and from the Folklife Section of the North Carolina Arts Council. Ainslie was presented with the annual Independent Weekly Triangle Arts Award; the National Slide Guitar Festivals’ Living Heritage Award; and the 20th Annual Sam Ragan Fine Arts Award from St. Andrew’s Presbyterian College in Laurinburg, NC. As a traditional musician with expertise in both the Southern Appalachian fiddle and banjo tradition, and Piedmont and Delta Blues, Ainslie has specialized in performing and presenting programs on the African roots of American music and culture in community and educational settings. He joined the prestigious North Carolina Visiting Artist Program and took the first of his many Artist-in-Residence positions in a dramatically racially segregated community in eastern North Carolina in 1986. Peppered with humor and stories, Ainslie’s teaching concerts help students and teachers learn to listen for the musical building blocks that continue to influence the music they hear all around them today – contemporary Rock, Bluegrass, Country, Gospel, Metal, R & B, and Hip-Hop. Question and answer periods are welcome at the end of each performance.

Stuart Ranson

Stuart Ranson moved to Charlotte in 2021 to become the Director of Training and Development for Charlotte Comedy Theater. Prior to that, he lived and worked in the improv comedy scenes of New York and Chicago. He has performed, taught, and coached improv for over 25 years at institutions such as The Second City, Improv Olympic, Annoyance Theater, and New York’s Magnet and People’s Improv Theater. As a founding member of internationally renowned music improv troupe Baby Wants Candy, Stuart was a pioneer of the burgeoning art of music improv, and contributed to its development in over 1000 completely improvised musicals (with a four piece band!). In Charlotte, Stuart has grown the CCT training program and community of teams to over 100 participants. He has also taken his experience working with youth and teens and brought it to the Children’s Theater of Charlotte’s School of Theatrical Training, where he now teaches improv classes. His passion and excitement for improv are as strong today as when he began a quarter of a century ago. With care and patience, Stuart brings the sense of playful imagination and collaborative co-creation of improv to new audiences, training the next generation of improvisers to support each other, create ensembles full of trust, and use play and the “yes, and” spirit of improvisation to evoke laughter and joy.

The World in Our Backyard

The World in Our Backyard programs have been created by teachers, for teachers, in order to provide the following: A learning environment that has unique and interactive exhibits. A curriculum that equips you with the knowledge and understanding of different cultures. A personal experience that forever changes your perspective of the world.

Zak Morgan

Zak Morgan’s wit has been compared to Shel Silverstein and Dr. Seuss. Zak has performed more than 2,500 concerts for children since 1999. Zak’s unique brand of music delivers songs and poems with wit and charm that inspire and tickle the funny bones. His performance is filled with musical stories, laughter and warmth as he encourages children to learn through reading, imagination, and believing in themselves. Students will use their voices, creativity and body movements to join in the fun. After earning a B.A. in English from Kenyon College, Morgan worked as Director of Rights Acquisitions for Recorded Books, Inc. and was immersed in the rich offerings of children’s literature. His first CD, “Bloom”, was met with awards and many “Best of” listings and was followed by “When Bullfrogs Croak”. This CD was nominated for a GRAMMY, unusual for an independent release. In 2007 Zak released the DVD, “ZakLand”, with Hollywood director and producer Jay Silverman. 2011 brought “The Candy Machine”, an album about temptation and the golden rule. In February 2012, Morgan signed with myKaZoo Music/ Universal Music Enterprises and released “The Barber of the Beasts”. In 2014 Zak released “Christmas”, a collection of traditional pre-1900 Christmas songs.

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