In-School Performance/Assembly Archives

Assembly #1: Japanese Drumming with Sacramento Taiko Dan

Any Given Child ; In-School Performance/Assembly

This assembly introduces students to Taiko. Students interact through call-outs (in Japanese), clapping rhythm patterns, and playing the drums on stage.

Assembly #1: Japanese Drumming, Folk Music, & Dance

Any Given Child ; In-School Performance/Assembly

Japanese folk songs will be played on traditional instruments and performers will demonstrate how the movements in the folk dances tell stories of what life was like for the Japanese people at the time. Students will learn simple hand movements of a dance that they will do along with the performers. These Japanese traditional movements will be made relevant to the students’ current lives when we create a new folk dance with movements that reflect their own lives culminating in an exciting performance of a traditional and modern fusion piece with students drumming and dancing together onstage.

Assembly #2: Japanese Drumming & Folktale Fun!

Any Given Child ; In-School Performance/Assembly

This exciting new assembly offering combines Japanese taiko drumming with classic Japanese drum-related folktales. Students will see performances using different kinds of taiko and other traditional instruments seamlessly interwoven between fun interactive folktales. Everyone learns how to play the taiko and some are chosen to join us onstage for the final drumming finale.

Assembly #2: Persistence Pays Off: Teaching the Value of Persistence Through Japanese Drumming

Any Given Child ; In-School Performance/Assembly

This assembly emphasizes that practice and persistence are the keys to becoming great at whatever you do. Only offered to schools that have previously had a Taiko Dan assembly.

Assembly 1: Mind- Boggling Mysteries of the World

Any Given Child ; In-School Performance/Assembly

From the Pyramids to the Great Wall of China and the Lost City of Atlantis, join us on a thrilling adventure as we explore the ancient wonders of the world.

Assembly 2: Fantasy Festival 34

Any Given Child ; In-School Performance/Assembly

Inspired by topics toed directly to curriculum—History! Science! Math! Literature!—OR the hysterical whimsy of the imagination, this buffet of student- written plays is a surefire hit with all ages!

Blues In The Schools

Any Given Child ; In-School Performance/Assembly

Sacramento Blues Society's Blues in the Schools (BITS) program provides special opportunities to educate and mentor students in the historical significance of the Blues and its impact on American and World culture and music. In an interactive lecture format interspersed with live performance, local Sacramento professional musicians inform students about Blues music history, song structure, how to put feelings into lyrics and song, and how instruments play together to effectively communicate the Blues. Students sing along, play egg shakers, and ask questions of the band. If the school has a music program, students may get on stage to "jam". Our program can layer knowledge to emphasize middle school educational goals as well as elementary school arts development. BITS Assemblies are an excellent opportunity for schools with or without music instrument instruction. Two same day performances are also available.

Calidanza Performance

Any Given Child ; In-School Performance/Assembly

Calidanza is a dynamic Mexican folk dance company that fuses contemporary technique with traditional folk dance to tell compelling stories of the rich cultural traditions in Mexico. In this lively and energetic performance, students will be introduced to traditional Mexican folk and contemporary dance accompanied by valuable information regarding the dances and the reasons behind the traditions. Students will also learn about the distinctive cultural regions of Mexico through dance, music, and lavish, colorful costumes. There is also an interactive component to the performance where some lucky children will learn a dance step while the rest of the students create rhythmic sound. Full of energy, tradition, colors, and fun, this show is a must-have for schools!

Fenix Drum and Dance Performance

Any Given Child ; In-School Performance/Assembly

Fenix Drum and Dance multi-faceted programs of music, dance and storytelling are interactive and promote ideas of the importance of education and respect toward others. The company specializes in traditional arts of West Africa and the African Diaspora. With an abundance of musical instruments and costumes, up to 50 students and teachers get an opportunity to join the presenters on stage while others participate from the audience. Fenix hones its presentations to serve the needs of diverse school populations.

Homemade Music (math and measurement)

Any Given Child ; In-School Performance/Assembly

In Homemade Music, Phil demonstrates all of his wacky homemade instruments, and shows the students how to transform common household items into musical marvels using math and measurement! Phil features straw oboes, sprinkler pipe panflutes, and water bottle xylophones, along with his online follow up activities. Before the presentation, please have on hand: an empty soda can, or an empty water bottle. This will be used to make a homemade shaker to play rhythm games together during the program!

Journey through the Mind (mindfulness, brain science, social/emotional skills & music)

Any Given Child ; In-School Performance/Assembly

In Journey through the Mind, Phil begins with an entertaining musical exploration of the brain, focusing on vision, hearing, emotions, memory, and movement. Then he leads the kids through a series of fun activities on imagination, patterns, and memory games. Throughout the program, Phil shows the students his mindfulness breathing exercises for emotional balance, focused listening, and successful learning.

Kristy Oshiro

Any Given Child ; In-School Performance/Assembly ; In-School Residency

Kristy Oshiro has over 25 years of experience in the art of Japanese taiko drumming and performs and teaches all over the world. She started playing taiko at age 9 in Kona, Hawai’i with Kona Daifukuji Taiko and was an instructor and touring ensemble member of Portland Taiko from 2001-2007 while getting her bachelor’s degree in Music Performance in Percussion at Portland State University. She was also an instructor and youth programs director at Sacramento Taiko Dan from 2007-2014. Having learned taiko from a young age, Kristy values the impact the art form can have on youth and her teaching style reinforces three key principles of respect, spirit, and perseverance. Lessons also include the history of taiko drumming, Japanese language and culture, basic hitting technique, and traditional rhythms mixed with games and songs.

Math and Mariachi (pie fractions, equivalency, syllables & music)

Any Given Child ; In-School Performance/Assembly

In Math and Mariachi, your families participate in an Aztec percussion group and perform musical phrases written in Nahuatl (pronounced naw-wa-tul), the language of the Aztecs. But first, they learn how musical rhythms are based on equivalent fractions—from traditional Mariachi folk songs from Mexico, to popular selections by Los Lobos and Carlos Santana. After that, the kids make their own homemade shakers and join together for an exciting concert of Aztec rhythms and indigenous melodies from ancient Mexico!

Math and Music (geometric shapes, fractions, and patterns)

Any Given Child ; In-School Performance/Assembly

At the Math and Music presentation, you'll learn how to play popular hand drum rhythms from West Africa, and how to create your own drum patterns using Phil's on-line drum machine. In addition, you'll hear Phil's five favorite fractions with a musical journey around the globe. Along the way, you'll hear instruments and songs from Indonesia, China, Ghana, Mexico, and the Caribbean. Phil will also show you some of his geometric-shaped instruments, and teach you how to fold those shapes into an origami popper for a music making activity!

Pan United Youth Movement Performance

Any Given Child ; In-School Performance/Assembly

In 2004, Shawn Thwaites founded Pan United Youth Movement (PUYM), a 501©3 non-profit organization, to empower under-served youth with essential life skills through music education and performance. With the support of PUYM, Thwaites founded three youth steel orchestras: Virginia All Steel Orchestra (VASO), Washington National Steel Orchestra (WNSO), and Youth Empowerment Steel (YES) Orchestra. VASO and WNSO have performed throughout the United States. Some of their favorite past performance venues include Disney World and Universal Studios. In 2009, Shawn led a music workshop with Esperanza Spalding at the University of Maryland, featuring PUYM students. Currently, PUYM is supporting the YES Orchestra in Sacramento, California

Sacramento Ballet Lecture / Demonstration / Q&A

Any Given Child ; In-School Performance/Assembly

Sacramento Ballet offers an interactive introduction to dance through a character-building program which focuses on the importance of creativity, problem solving, and exploration. We utilize a multi-faceted approach which involves the use of music, costume, mime, audience interaction, and more! Our professional ballet dancers will offer a window into the world of ballet while also making the fine arts accessible to first time participants.

Sacramento Children’s Chorus

Any Given Child ; In-School Performance/Assembly

The internationally acclaimed Sacramento Children’s Chorus provides excellence in choral music education and performance opportunities to talented children in the greater Sacramento community. This assembly includes classical, patriotic, traditional African and folk songs utilizing a variety of languages and rhythms. Students experience high caliber music performed by students not much older than they are. Interactive activities include singing along with the choir in several languages, hand and body movements and playing musical instruments. Availability is limited. Please be sure to indicate a second and third choice.

Sacramento Youth Symphony

Any Given Child ; In-School Performance/Assembly

SYS provides youth the opportunity to learn and perform with introductory, beginning, intermediate and advanced orchestras. In this assembly, the youth orchestra - led by a professional conductor – introduces students to styles, color of sounds and the instruments used to produce classical music. Students will see how collective and individual hard work toward a shared goal creates beautiful music and a long-term sense of achievement. Availability is limited. Please be sure to indicate a second and third choice.

Sascha Molina

Any Given Child ; In-School Performance/Assembly

Sascha Molina is the Assistant Director of Sacramento Taiko Dan, (the Sacramento region’s premier Japanese drumming group), and the Director of the Sacramento Taiko Dan Youth Ensemble. Sascha tours as an independent artist and regularly collaborates both with other taiko performers as well as artists from many disciplines including Vocal, Martial Arts and Dance. She continues to perform across the United States, Canada, and Japan, while simultaneously instructing at Sacramento Taiko Dan as well as pursuing further training for continued growth. As an instructor, Sascha focuses on giving youth players opportunities to grow and learn a myriad of life skills through music and cultural literacy. Sascha has designed taiko curriculum for youth aged K-12 that combines rhythm and whole body movement with Japanese history, culture, and language skills. This blend of physical and musical discipline gives students an in-depth and hands-on experience in the arts as individuals, partners, and as members of a group.

Story Reading and Music (comprehension strategies)

Any Given Child ; In-School Performance/Assembly

In the Story Reading and Music program, Phil features the classic Rudyard Kipling tale about how the elephant got its trunk - complete with African drums, interactive questions, and think-aloud games. He also tells sound stories, made up entirely of sound effects. As the students listen to thunderstorms, barking dogs, and race cars, they learn to connect their knowledge of sequence, inference, and prediction, to the sounds in their world. Lastly, Phil shares his favorite reading comprehension games at his website!

Tuba Tunes: Transforming Sound into Music

Any Given Child ; In-School Performance/Assembly

Students will experiment with how vibration is generated, manipulated and refined, using common objects and the tuba, the biggest of the brass instruments. They will also discover how the structure of the instrument affects sound quality and the basic principles of how music is created on (brass) wind instruments. Mr. Dixon brings basic science to life as he shows off the tuba as a fun, versatile musical instrument with an important role in music.

Arts Education Provider Resources

Subscribe to Our Mailing List

Find Education Programs