ARTISTS DIRECTORY
Arts for Learning Connecticut’s on-line directory allows you to search for our artists and their programs in a variety of ways and to display their web pages or download and print descriptions of those programs that interest you. We offer educational classroom workshops, school cultural programs, school arts programs, assembly programs, arts integration programs, artist in residence programs – bringing theater, music, drama, puppetry, visual arts, storytelling, drawing, painting, history and cultural arts to the classroom.
: Adam Battelstein is an actor, dancer, choreographer extraordinaire noted by the New York Times for his “comic genius” and called “a master clown disguised as a dancer.” He has toured nationally and internationally with companies such as Pilobolus and Momix. He is a Master Teaching Artist for the state of Connecticut and has been involved in educational outreach around the United States for many
Continue reading Adam Battelstein & Friends
: Anne Pasquale, presently a member of the Actor’s Studio, has appeared in numerous Off-Broadway productions. Her Young Audiences’ programs give students a new perspective on the roles and contributions of women to America’s history and
Continue reading Anne Pasquale’s Living History
: Antonio Rocha, storyteller, mime and now author of a children's book, began his career in the performing arts in 1985. In 1988 he received a Partner’s of theAmericasgrant to come to theUSAfromBrazilto perform and deepen his mime skills with Master Tony Montanaro.
Continue reading Antonio Rocha American-Brazilian Storyteller and Author
: Arti Dixson is a highly accomplished international percussionist who has worked with Ahmad Jamal, Michael Bolton, Harry Connick Jr., the Nelson Riddle Orchestra, Randy Klein and Freddie Ravel. Arti’s educational program has been enthusiastically received by all. His programs provide a truly exceptional jazz experience. He brings with him very gifted professional musicians who“jam” their way through the entire history of jazz, America’s “classical
Continue reading Arti Dixson
: Blue Jupiter is an edgy pop-funk band that has everything to offer, but instruments. The Recent winners of Oreo’s “Milk’s Favorite Jingle Contest” hosted by American Idol’s Randy Jackson, can be heard on the radio nationwide performing their funky-pop version of the classic Oreo
Continue reading Blue Jupiter A Capella
: Through the use of a spoken language-based conducting method, Bob Bloom leads interactive drumming programs at which entire schools, pre-kindergarten to grade 12, can participate hands-on with a diversity of percussion instruments. His interdisciplinary assemblies, classroom sessions, residencies, student-featured concerts for families, and extended-day activities energize the students’ curiosity, imagination, creativity, initiative, and
Continue reading Bob Bloom
: Boogie Chillun’ is a six-piece, diverse, multi-cultural and multi-talented musical group that is well versed in all styles of music. The band was formed in 1991 by band leaders Vaughn Collins and Derek Graham in New Haven, Connecticut. The band has performed in many venues and schools throughout Connecticut, Massachusetts and the tri-state area.
Continue reading Boogie Chillun’
: Create the opportunity for participants of all abilities to freely move through time and space! Shared ability dance is dance that is inclusive of dancers with
Continue reading Brad Roth Inclusive Dance
: Gillie, accomplished poet, percussionist, singer, dancer, pianist, and historian is a CCT master teaching artist, VSA artist; and a Young Audiences of CT artist educator since
Continue reading Brian Gillie American Song and Dance
: Candace Wolf is a Master Storyteller and teacher who has worked in collaboration with the Kennedy Center, and the Library of Congress. Candace has learned the oral histories, traditional humor and wisdom of cultures worldwide.
Continue reading Candace Wolf – Stories from Around the World
: David Gaskin from Trinidad leads this talented trio as they sing and play island songs on their steel drums. The Trio has studied Trinidadian culture and weaves this throughout their exciting program.
Continue reading Carnival Trio Caribbean Music
: Meet the heroes, gods and monsters of Greek mythology! Using a combination of poetry, masks, mime, and skillful audience participation, Chariot of the Sun brings these classic tales to
Continue reading Chariot of the Sun
: Li began performing in schools in 2005, at first collaborating with other circus artists, and eventually developing her own solo show. The performance includes hand balancing, plate spinning, trick cycling, foot juggling, ribbon dancing and Chinese water bowl
Continue reading Chinese Acrobat
: Christine Wilkinson is a Fiber Artist with a focus on weaving. Her work includes tapestries, experimental wall pieces, and tradition items to wear and for home. Her background as a teacher and school administrator has guided her wowrk in teaching workshops and classes in weaving. She teaches at both the Brookfield Craft Center and Creative Arts Workshop in New Haven, CT. Her outreach goal is to expand the understanding of weaving and to encourage more people to take up weaving. For workshops, Cristine uses a portable loom called a rigid heddle loom that is accessible for many different
Continue reading Christine Wilkinson
: An artist and educator, Claudia Mathison has brought her unique blend of traditional crafts and culture to the Wadsworth, the Mattatuck Museum, the New Britain Museum of American Art and numerous schools and libraries throughout New England. She holds a masters degree in art education and is a faculty member at the Guilford Art Center in Guilford,
Continue reading Claudia Mathison – Historic and Multi Cultural Crafts
: Dexter J. Singleton began his professional theatre career as a company member with the world-renowned Mosaic Youth Theatre of Detroit. He is the former artistic director of the critically acclaimed Kalamazoo Youth Theatre and has worked with many schools and colleges. Dexter is the Executive Director of Collective Consciousness, a non-profit theatre company, dedicated to producing pieces that have social
Continue reading Collective Consciousness Theatre
: The Cool Cats bring age-appropriate educational content, humor, audience participation, and enthusiastic fun to 3 wonderful shows. Roots of Jazz: From Spirituals to Swing (K-6) explores this quintessential American art form; BioJazz: American Musical Heroes is tailored for Middle and High School; and Roots of Rock and Roll: All Together Nowtells the story of a new American music that changed the
Continue reading Cool Cats
: “The Power of Positive Filmmaking” residencies provides students with a creative outlet that allows them to connect to school subjects in a positive, high tech, team oriented project. Because of the many potential story-lines, there are countless outcomes for schools to choose from.
Continue reading Craig Norton
: “Through The Lens” workshops and residencies provide students with a creative outlet that inspires them to connect with the subjects they are studying from a new perspective. Photography gives students a chance to be creative with high tech tools as well as heightening awareness of their community and environment. Because of the universal applications for photography there are many potential outcomes for schools to choose
Continue reading Craig Norton – Photo / Video Teaching Artist
: Cyd Slotoroff is a professional singer-songwriter, guitarist, and recording artist with over 20 years experience. As a performer, educator, certified music therapist and as a diversity trainer with the Anti-Defamation League, Cyd addresses the issues important to youth with a unique blend of sensitivity, creativity, and
Continue reading Cyd Slotoroff – Addressing Diversity Through Music
: Dance China NY is the resident company of the New York Chinese Cultural Center. Company members include master award-winning dancers and musicians from China and the United
Continue reading Dance China NY Asian Dance
: A professional mime, actor, director and member of Actor’s Equity and the Screen Actor’s Guild, David Zucker has performed in theatre, film and television. He holds an MFA from Brandeis University, teaches the Chinese art of Tai Chi Chuan, and is the author of the children’s book, Uncle Carmeio.
Continue reading David Zucker Poetry in Motion-Shakespeare Guyz-Maths Amazing
: Deirdre Murtha is a multi-instrumentalist and singer who brings her passion of folk music tradition to preK-K students in a fun, engaging way so that all may participate and learn. She has years of experience conducting early childhood music sessions in schools throughout Connecticut and New York and has worked as preschool teacher as well. She is a member of The Johnson Girls, a maritime themed vocal quartet and performs with them at major folk festivals around the country. Deirdre's mission is to engage preschool and Kindergarten students of all abilities in enriching musical activities and experiences that allow for artistic, personal, and creative expression, and learning across the
Continue reading Deirdra Murtha
: Dennis Waring, ethnomusicologist, music educator, performer, instrument maker, and author of six books, is proprietor of Waring Music, providing music resources for a wide variety of
Continue reading Dennis Waring – World Music and Culture
: Ernie Sites of Wendell, Idaho, is an honest-to-goodness, ranch-raised, former rodeo cowboy who has traveled around the nation with his songs, poems, stories, trickroping and yodeling. Cowboy Ernie has recorded a slew of albums covering the gamut of Western
Continue reading Ernie Sites – Music and the Western Frontier
: Master storyteller Eshu Bumpus has performed in schools and festivals throughout New England, California and in collaboration with the Smithsonian. As an artist and teacher, Eshu’s primary mission is to help raise students’ and teachers’ confidence in creating, writing and telling
Continue reading Eshu Bumpus – African and African American Stories
: Faustwork Mask Theatre presents theatre for all ages. Under the direction of Robert Faust, Faustwork Mask Theatre seeks to transform the moment in a shared learning experience through the use of hand-crafted masks and the power of mime. Faustwork has performed for student and adult audiences internationally since
Continue reading Faustwork
: Rebeca began her formal dance training in Granada, Spain at Maite Galán’s Escuela de Danza Española. She later moved to Madrid, where she studied at the internationally renowned Flamenco Academy Amor de Dios under such figures as Maria Magdalena, La China, Manuel Liñán, and Rafaela
Continue reading Flamenco! Dance – Rebeca Thomas
: Flock Theater, under the leadership of Director Derron Wood, offers unique educational programming for a range of ages and venues extending from work with incarcerated youth to residencies with the Eugene O’ Neil Memorial Theatre to work with schools throughout Connecticut. Programs delve into social behavior and
Continue reading Flock Theater – High Impact Puppets
: This New York-based improvisational troupe of classically trained actors uses teamwork, ideas from the audience and audience volunteers to create unbelievably imaginative on-the-spot
Continue reading Freestyle Repertory Theatre – Improvisational Theatre
: The Game is an interactive, conceptual sculpture created by Bridgeport Gallery 1212?s Gerald Moore. Students “play” with The Game, and then are able to express interactively what they perceive they have created, how their creation inspires thoughts of diversity and unity, as well as
Continue reading Gerald Moore – The Game
: Gideon gives students a closer look at the masterful match of music and science. They explore concepts in Math (beats per measure and measures per phrase); Science (sound waves, tones, overtones, harmonics); and, Technology (electronic sound
Continue reading Gideon Freudmann – CelloBop
: Efraim Silva, President and Artistic Director of Ginga Brasileira, was born in Guaruja, Sao Paulo, Brazil. He was awarded state and federal certification as a professional musician and rhythmist, and he opened his own Capoeira academy in Braganca Paulista, Sao Paulo, in
Continue reading Ginga Brasileira – Dances of Brazil
: Gwendolyn is an Artist-in-Residence at the Connecticut Historical Society Museum. She is an International Award Winning Toastmaster and the recipient of the Director’s Award for Excellence, from the Institute of Texan Cultures. She is also the 2006 recipient of the Boston Fund Artist Fellowship through the Greater Hartford Arts Council. In 2009 Gwendolyn was selected for the CCT Presentation
Continue reading Gwendolyn Quezaire-Presutti
: The Haven String Quartet, in addition to teaching in the Empowerment Zone neighborhoods of New Haven, enjoys performing in concert halls, schools, youth centers, prisons, theaters, community centers, and churches across New England.
Continue reading Haven String Quartet
: This is a diverse collection of dancers with raw talent in Hip Hop and Break Dancing. While electrifying audiences, they inspire youth to think of dancing as a positive outlet for artistic expression. Audiences are educated on the history, culture, foundation, and the dance styles of
Continue reading Hip Hop Dimensions – Dance & History
: HISTORY ALIVE! is a Theater Company Dedicated to Bringing American History Alive for Students. HISTORY ALIVE! presents in each 45 minute performance one or more unforgettable character from the American past. Its biographical performances are written with historical accuracy and dramatic flair by playwright and young adult author Steven Otfinoski, and are staged by Tony-nominated Broadway performer and director Steven
Continue reading History Alive!
: Judith holds a BA in Math and Education from Elms College and is a certified Expressive Arts Facilitator through Salve Regina University. Judith is a Master Teaching Artist with the Connecticut Commission on Culture and
Continue reading Judith Mortensen Dance and Visual Art
: Tiare Kahana began learning the art of hula at the age of 8, studying under the tutelage of Tani Marsh, who had won the title of “Miss Hula” in the 1940’s and was recruited to perform in many Hollywood films such as “Blue Hawaii,” “Hawaiian Nights” and “Song of the Islands.”
Continue reading Kahana Hula
: KARIM NAGI is a native Egyptian who specializes in traditional Arabic music. He uses his traditional foundation to re-imagine the culture, discovering progressive deliveries and new
Continue reading Karim Nagi Mohammed
: Described by Dance Magazine as “clean and sharp, geometric and postmodern… a thrill to watch,” KDNY, is an all-female modern dance company based in New York City, which takes inspiration from the compelling experiences of women. Since 1997, KDNY has delighted audiences both around the US and abroad with its repertory of dynamic high-energy dance works that combine live original music with a movement vocabulary that is charged with athleticism and
Continue reading KDNY Dance – Modern Dance
: With its entertaining and educational children’s program, the Kelet Ensemble aims to integrate classical music into the lives of children and motivate them to play a musical instrument. Peter and the Wolf (by Sergei Prokofiev) and Carnival of the Animals (by Camille Saint-Saens) are time-honored master works originally composed for symphony
Continue reading Kelet Ensemble (formerly known as Arensky Piano Trio)
: The Rapoet does performances, lectures, and workshops at venues ranging from schools and colleges, receiving praise from poets like Alice Walker and MCs like Talib
Continue reading Khaiim the RapOet
: Larry Engler is co-author of the book Making Puppets Come Alive (Dover Publications), which has won national awards from both The American Library Association and The Puppeteers of America. He is currently on the roster of teaching artists for the CT Commission on Culture and Tourism (funding
Continue reading Larry Engler: Poko Puppets
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Motion Speaks
Using mime, theatre, circus illusion, martial arts and sign language techniques students explore literacy and integrating a physical vocuabulary with a focus on communication. Looking at elements of language ie imagery, personification etc. students will acquire a facility of connecting ideas(mind) and movement(body). Also elements of the human body , isolation , focus of
Continue reading Linda Peck
: Abraham Lincoln: “From Rail-Splitter to President”
In this 45 minute dramatic program, actor-storyteller Lou Del Bianco portrays Lincoln as Civil War President, frontiersman and storyteller. Lincoln’s values…..honesty, love of family, thirst for education, sense of justice and perseverance shine through this dynamic presentation. Authentic historical quotations are used throughout; handout available for teachers. Age appropriate programs are
Continue reading Lou Del Bianco
: Felicity Jones is an actress, writer, and educator who lives in Connecticut. She has appeared on stages throughout the United States; from Broadway to San Francisco and New Haven to Seattle. Her work runs the gamut from Shakespeare to Ibsen to Pinter to collaboratively created ensemble pieces with the likes of Mary Zimmerman and Theatre
Continue reading Me Pluribus Unum
: Mikata’s vibrant participatory performance leaves students with an understanding of Africa’s strong links to the cultures of the U.S., the Caribbean and South America. Led by Master Teaching Artist, Richard Hill, Mikata invites you to join in the dancing, singing and chanting of other
Continue reading MIKATA African Dance and Drumming