Arts in the Schools
Arts in the Schools
Ross Sutter Dulcimer Residency
Cheryl Avenel-Navara: education, Worthington Public Arts Commission chair, SW MN Opportunity council; Judy Beckman: vocal music, Big Stone Arts Council, Big Stone County Historical Society, Big Stone Lake Area Chamber of Commerce CEO; Cheri Buzzeo: theater, music, The Barn Theatre administration, Willmar Main St participant; Jessica Welu: writing, music, SW Regional Development Commission; Anna Johannsen: fiber artist, art teacher, Remick Gallery board, president of Windom Women's Investment group, treasurer of Cottonwood County Animal Rescue, officer of Cotton Quilters; Georgette Jones: literature teacher, theatre actor/director/teacher; David KelseyBassett: visual artist, musician, Hinterland Art Crawl board; Shawn Kinsinger: theater director, actor, musician, Palace Theatre executive director, Green Earth Players vice president, Luverne Street Music board member, Luverne High School Theater artistic director; Darlene Kotelnicki: theater, city council, library board. Cheryl Avenel Navara: education, Worthington Public Arts Commission chair, SW MN Opportunity Council volunteer; Alison Nelson: art, music, and dance teacher, KMS Community Ed director, Kerkhoven Fire Department Auxiliary fundraiser; Anne O'Keefe-Jackson: human resources director, bead and quill work; Michele Huggins: Granite Area Arts Council treasurer and volunteer, member of the Artisan Grain Collaborative, founding member of ACHALA; Betsy Pardick: musician, actor, Dept. of Public Transformation committees; Kristine Shelstad: visual arts, Madison Mercantile art gallery, Madison Arts Council, Lac qui Parle Players; VFW; Michele Knife Sterner: theater (actor), SMSU Associate director for Access Opportunity Success program; Erica Volkir: performing arts, Pipestone Performing Arts Center board, Pipestone Area Chamber of Commerce and CVB director; Mark Wilmes: Lake Benton Opera House board president, actor/director, musician, reporter;
Justin Condelli, music, theater, education; Reggie Gorter, music, education; Georgette Jones, theater, education, SMAC board; Maureen Keimig, theater, Joyce Meyer, visual art, education; Dana Miller, visual art, writing, education; Mark Wilmes, theater, S
ACHF Arts Education
As a result of this residency, students will learn about a new instrument, the dulcimer, build a one-string version of a dulcimer and learn to play it. For many students, this will be a first exposure to instrumental music. Project Goals include: Students will build their own one stringed dulcimer by following step-by-step directions; students will be able to play a variety of songs solo and with a group in a performance on their dulcimer; students will be able to explain how pitch changes with the length of the dulcimer string; students will be able to identify the measurements of the distance between frets, etc. on a dulcimer; students will create a video journal to document their dulcimer building. Students will each complete Dulcimer Measurements worksheet. Students will perform as a group and in small groups at the end of the week to demonstrate their mastery of the dulcimer. Students will work in small groups to create a video journal about the constructing of the dulcimer and about sharing their new skills at the end of the residency. These video journals can be shared with students, parents; and the teachers can share the video journals with administration and school board members.
The kids that participated had such a great time and worked so hard to put on a wonderful production and get their feet wet in the world of acting. We went from about 18 kids last year to 25 this year which shows growth in this program. But our goal is for it to positively impact the theatre program at our school. I know students who participated last year now take part in the theater program at our school, and we had a great turn out in the Middle School drama play last spring as well. I keep track of the students in PFCT and see the cross over into our own drama department. Students have stated that they really enjoy being in theatre and on stage and are so happy they got to do that through PFCT to start their love for it and are more likely to choose it over other activities now.