Zak Morgan

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.

EDUCATOR CONTACT INFO

susan@loydartists.com

http://zakmorgan.com

  16 Santo Lane, Au Sable Forks, NY 12912

Essex

518-647-5916

Welcome to Zakland! (Adventures in Language Arts & Music)

Program description

Zak Morgan’s assembly programs are focused on students PreK-5th grade, offering two study guides with activities for both music education and arts integration with other subjects.  Teachers can access thirteen interactive lessons for classroom use at a variety of grade levels. Students use their voices, creativity and body movements to join in the fun. Concerts for Pre-K through 2nd grade focus on confidence building, reading, listening and imagination. Concerts for 3rd to 5th grades teach life science facts through music including life cycles and environments.  Older elementary students will explore literary devices and elements of a good story. All concerts teach basic music lessons including simple rhythmic, melodic and chordal patterns.

Creative writing workshops and story/song residencies are offered for grades K-5th. They involve students in examining the elements of a good story, delving into rhyme schemes and literary devices and exploring the power of the imagination using music and storytelling.

The creative writing residency uses music and storytelling to exercise the imagination and encourage reading with the students. Over the course of the sessions, students learn the basic elements of a good story, create their own story and turn their story into a joint classroom song. The residency week usually concludes with an all-school Zak Morgan performance and an evening performance for families, where the each class performs their own song onstage.

Booking / scheduling contact

Susan Lounsbury, Loyd Artists

   518-647-5916

 susan@loydartists.com

Program detail
Artistic discipline: Literary Arts, Multi-discipline, Music, Storytelling
Cultural Origin: American
Program type: Assembly/Performance, Residency, Workshop
Population served: Grade 1, Grade 2, Grade 3, Grade 4, Grade 5, Kindergarten, Pre-K
Subject: Language Arts, Literacy, Music
Bilingual: No
Available dates:

Available year round

Available times:

Flexible

Space / technical requirements:

Clean performance area, approximately 15′ x 15′ x 12′ (stage not required); Access to electrical outlet, parking space and bottled water. Artist will provide sound.

Location(s):

Schools, libraries, performing arts centers, theaters, community venues

Fees / Ticketing:

$750 per performance; $700 each for two performances, same day/same site

Please call for workshop/residency fees

EDUCATION STANDARDS

NC Standard Course of Study:

Integrate and evaluate information presented in diverse media and formats, including visually, quantitatively, and orally.

Present information, findings, and supporting evidence such that listeners can follow the line of reasoning and the organization, development, and style are appropriate to task, purpose, and audience.

Integrate and evaluate content presented in diverse formats and media, including visually and quantitatively, as well as in words.

NC Essential Standards:

Describe how words and phrases (e.g. regular beats, alliteration, rhymes, repeated lines) supply rhythm and meaning in a story, poem or song.

Use singing, playing and/or moving to respond to a variety of musical ideas.

Recognize the relationships between music and concepts from other areas.

 

Qualifications

Conducts educational programming for 2 or more years: Yes
Performs criminal background checks on staff with youth contact: Yes
Maintains general liability insurance (Individuals and organizations listed in this Directory can provide proof of insurance upon request. ASC does not hold copies of current documentation for providers): Yes
Three letters of recommendation / references available: Yes
Provides study guides for teachers and or students: Yes
Connects to State and or Common Core Curriculum Standards: Yes
Provides tools to assess student learning (workshops and residencies): Yes
Provides scholarship and reduced fees: Yes
Conducts ongoing assessments of program quality: Yes
Cancellation Policy

When the Artist has incurred travel expense to honor a contract and the contract or a portion of the contract is canceled due to weather, the artist will be paid in full and every attempt will be made to reschedule the services within the following 12 months at no additional charge to the Artist or the Presenter. It is understood that make-up dates will be rescheduled when the artist is traveling through an area and the Artist is under no obligation to pay additional travel expenses to make-up services canceled due to weather.
If the school cancels the Engagement in whole or in Part for reasons other than weather or any other legitimate condition beyond the control of the school, the school is responsible for full payment of the Engagement fee.