Bring a burst of energy into your school with one of our dynamic performance assemblies. Professional artists bring their expertise to the stage in ways that are engaging and interactive, leaving students motivated, empowered and inspired. Open your doors to a professional storyteller, circus artist, live-looping violinist, hip-hop artist, dance troupe or one of our many other performing artists available for one-time or two back-to-back performances. Performance Assemblies are 35-45 minutes in length and often include an interactive discussion period.
Explore our Directory of Teaching Artists to read more or request an artist here. To schedule a performance assembly, contact Ben Minnis, Arts Education Program Coordinator at artsed@lanearts.org or 541-485-2278.
Fiddle Music & Louisiana Culture
Kelly Thibodeaux plays original fiddle-based Louisiana dance music and swamp rock, accompanied by guitar, highlighted by snapping stories from bayou country. Kelly also gives a demonstration of the violin and the many magical sounds that it can produce.
About Kelly Thibodeaux: As a teaching artist, Kelly has over 15 years of experience conducting fiddle workshops, after school programs, and artist in residence programs and specializes in teaching large groups (25 to 30+ students, K-12) in short order how to play one of the world’s oldest and most powerful instruments, the violin.
West African Drum and Dance
Alseny Yansane & Andrea DiPalma Yansane perform West African drum and dance with lively audience participation and hands-on music-making.
About Alseny & Andrea Yansane: West African Cultural Arts Institute’s co-founders are a high powered team with over 24 collective years of teaching and performing. Alseny has dazzled global audiences as a performing artist with world renowned Ballets Africains for many years. He is internationally recognized as a cultural ambassador for his understanding of the dances, rhythms and traditions from Guinea, West Africa. Andrea lived seven years in Guinea immersing herself in the culture and way of life, has trained with many artists and performed in a variety of prestigious venues.
Songwriting and Dance
Alex Mauney plays music every kiddo can move to. Whether using his guitars, banjo, mandolin, saxophones, or harmonicas, Alex’s mix of inspired originals and group favorites will delight everyone in earshot. Groups will also help Alex write and perform a brand new song at the end of each assembly.
About Alex Mauney: Alex Mauney is a performing and devising artist specializing in music, theatre, and storytelling. His work with children and young adults has spanned two decades, four states (not including tours), and includes credits with Chicago Children’s Theatre and Chicago Symphony Orchestra. Alex has a particular knack and affinity for working with people with disabilities, making access and inclusion cornerstones in his engagements.
Puppetry & Storytelling
Noah McLain Philpot brings high energy, laughs, and magic as he uses the art of puppetry to tell stories with his trusty companion, Fooble the Dragon. This program is especially suited for K-5 classrooms.
About Noah McLain Philpot: 3rd generation puppet maker and lifetime performer, Noah McLain Philpot has delighted audiences across the the USA with his magical, musical, performances. With a focus on audience participation and improvisation, Noah creates an immersive experience which is always fresh.
Magic & Balloon Sculpting
Award-winning magician Jay Frasier combines sleight-of-hand, physical comedy, balloon sculpting, and audience participation to create uniquely magical and entertaining performances. Students and staff will experience the impossible made possible, reinforcing their senses of wonder and engaging their imaginations.
About Jay Frasier: As a professional magician, balloon sculptor, and educator Jay is the recipient of a Dom Deluise Comedy Magic Award and winner of the 2014 Portland Magic Jam Stage Magic Contest. His original magic has been featured in such publications as Genii Magazine. Jay holds an MA in Speech Communication from the University of Louisiana at Monroe, and is an instructor of Speech & Communication Studies at LCC.