Averil Smith Barone
Watercolorist
Mini Masters Art History WorkshopProgram Description: Mini Masters is a fun and educational exploration. From The Egyptians to Warhol (and everything in between) we share art history together with enthusiasm. Averil researches the chosen artist or painting but the audience has the freedom to express art through their own knowledge and experience. Art-Reach members will engage in a meaningful arts and cultural workshop and build appreciation for art. This workshop is available as an in-person or virtual experience.Length of Program: 60 minutesMaximum Number of Participants: 20 peopleCost: $225
Watercolor WorkshopProgram Description: Join Averil Smith Barone for her Watercolor Workshop and learn the many different techniques of this wonderful medium including: wet-in-wet, gradation, splatter, wax and sea sponge. Watercolor is a wonderful way to express yourself and Averil’s workshops are welcoming and fun. Averil’s Watercolor Workshop expands the knowledge of the medium of watercolor with the practice of techniques, as well as brings smiles and fun to the group. Averil’s warm approach, clear instructions and visual aids help make a creative learning environment. This workshop is available as an in-person or virtual experience.Length of Program: 90 minutesMaximum Number of Participants: 10-15 peopleVenue Requirements: Water access, tables, chairsCost: $200
Bio: Averil Smith Barone has been working for Art-Reach for a decade. She has a BA in Art and Art History from Wittenberg University in Springfield, Ohio (1990). She received her MA in Art Education from The University of the Arts in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (1994). She is a watercolor artist and loves to share the many techniques of the medium in her workshops. She also shares her enthusiasm of art history through her interactive art history workshops. She resides in Wayne, Pennsylvania.
DARIA
Musician & Instrument Maker
Instrument Making SessionProgram Description: Travel around the world in song, and create a wonderful working version of one world music instrument such as a shekere, guiro, ocean drum, monkey drum, rainstick, turtle rattle, Australian clapsticks (bilma) or didgeridoo.
This workshop includes background on the instrument, creating the DIY instrument and playing it along with live music. What a wonderful way to explore world cultures!
This workshop is available as a virtual experience only. For more information about supplies for this workshop, please email aboyle@art-reach.org.Length of Program: 60-90 minMaximum Number of Participants: 30Cost: $325
World Music For ChildrenProgram Description: World Music children’s performer DARIA (Daria Marmaluk-Hajioannou) has spent almost three decades performing in the USA and around the world, creating music to inspire all the world’s children. Along with numerous national awards for her culturally diverse music, Daria’s live show is fully interactive as she brings a variety of exciting world traditions to life, allowing children to become a part of the celebration and the fun of exploring world cultures. Daria’s live presentation includes over 100 authentic instruments that the audience will learn about during the show. This workshop is available as a virtual experience only.Length of Program: 45-55 minCost: $350
Intergenerational Music with DARIAProgram Description: Perfect for an audience of older adults or for an inter-generational event, DARIA's program shares best-loved songs from around the corner and around the world. During this show, she performs on guitar as well as washboard and spoons and shares many songs from her Grammy-nominated "Grandchildren's Delight" CD. This workshop is available as a virtual experience only.Length of Program: 45-60 minCost: $325
Bio: Multicultural children’s performer DARIA has spent the last two decades performing in the USA and around the world, creating music to inspire all the world’s children. Along with five national awards for her culturally diverse music, Daria’s live show has been featured at Nickelodean’s World Wide Day of Play, The Kimmel Center, The Please Touch Museum, PNC Grow-Up Great, and several national Museums. Daria’s live show is fully interactive as she brings a variety of exciting world traditions to life, allowing the audience to become a part of the celebration and the fun.
Daria was selected as the only female teaching artist for the STOMP/PULSE tour in 2004. Recently, she received a Pennsylvania Council On The Arts Arts Commentary Award and a citation for her contribution to education in the state of Pennsylvania. Along with her bilingual songs, Daria’s music is used widely to celebrate Martin Luther King Day, Earth Day and in programs that teach tolerance as well as celebrate diversity.
Check out her feature in the Huffington Post here!
Dawn States
Adaptive Dance & Movement
Transforming and Transposing DanceProgram Description: These classes cover the basic concepts of dancing as well as implementing some ballet movement and vocabulary for structure. Each class features a check-in, a warm-up, creative movement exercises such as choreography and explorative movement and a cool-down followed by a check-in. This workshop is designed so that participants leave with a basic understanding of movement vocabulary, elements to dance and more bodily awareness. It is also designed to leave room for participants to transpose and access movement in a way that feels safe and supportive of them and fosters their self-expression as participants in the arts. This workshop is available as an in-person or virtual experience.Length of Program: 60-90 minutesCost: $75
Bio: Dawn States began dancing at the age of five and fell in love with ballet. Dawn’s dad is a truck driver and their mom cleaned the dance studio to support their access to classes. At age eighteen, Dawn had to have their first intensive spinal operation. This was followed by a longer and more intensive operation, which resulted in the placement of rods and screws as a spinal fusion. A traumatic car accident after this left them with three fractured bones in their right hip. Medical professionals advised against dancing. Because of this, Dawn holds a Bachelor’s degree in Library Science. Through the tutelage of Axis Dance and individuals in the disability community, Dawn returned to dance. They now hold their MFA in Dance from Temple University and were awarded the Rose Vernick Artistic Transformation award in recognition of their thesis work Incurvation. Dawn is committed to making dance accessible and does this through their accessibility measures in their choreographic work, inclusion of disabled dancers in their work and being an invested and empathetic teaching artist.
Jake Leschinsky
Musician and Songwriter
The Sound of PhiladelphiaProgram Description: Jake shines a light on the legacy of Philadelphia music. From Chubby Checker to The Roots, and all points in between, the streets of Philadelphia tell a rich musical story. This interactive class will provide participants with a brief history lesson and an interactive performance; all uniquely Philly.Length of Program: 60 minutesVenue Requirements: For in-person workshops, access to power outlet is needed.Cost: $350
Expressing Yourself Through SongwritingProgram Description: In this workshop, participants will have an opportunity to create their own song along with instructor, Jake Leschinsky! We'll discuss topics that are important in our lives and determine how we'd like to express these notions through music. Teamwork is key, as we'll be a "band" for the day!Length of Program: 60 minutesMaximum Number of Participants: 10Cost: $350
Bio: Jake Leschinsky brings a unique and inspiring approach to Music Education. As a professional musician over the last 13 years, Jake has extensive experience with touring, audio engineering and band management. His musical experiences have inspired him to share his love for music with students of all ages and backgrounds.
Predominantly a professional Electric Bassist, Jake Leschinsky teaches beginner – advanced Drum-kit and Guitar, as well as beginner – intermediate Piano.
Jake’s teaching methods stem from a comprehensive approach that he has developed over the last 15 years. While focusing on technique, he brings years of touring and band dynamics to the lesson room. While understanding that private practice is essential, Leschinsky urges students of all ages to play with their friends and develop musical relationships. Most importantly, Jake continues to acknowledge that students often educate the teacher and every student brings a unique creativity to the lesson room.
Laura Baehr
Dance & Movement
Dance LabProgram Description: Dance takes many forms: a foot tap, an imagined performance to your favorite tune, or even bright, full choreography with a group of friends. Have your pick of what dance you'd like to share in this workshop built to make every participant feel like Fred Astaire. Art-Reach Members will go through a standard format dance class including breath work, meditation, warm up, center balance and choreography. Class will incorporate ballet, modern, rhythm, and voice work. Art-Reach Members will gain appreciation for dance through accessible movement meant to engage and inspire increased quality of life. Recommended for ages 18+. This workshop is available as a virtual experience only.Length of Program: 60 minutesCost: $125
Bio: Laura Baehr is an interdisciplinary artist, therapist and researcher who strives to educate and inspire through movement. She earned her clinical doctorate in physical therapy from Temple University and her dual degree in dance and neuroscience from Muhlenberg College. Currently, she is a doctoral research fellow studying chronic pain at Drexel University. Laura is a dance theater artist collaborating with JCWK Dance Lab, as well as a Dance for Parkinson’s and Pilates teacher in Philadelphia.
Lene Dronen
Recycled Art & Mixed Media
Recycled ArtProgram Description: Give new life reusing ordinary materials we encounter everyday. Learn how to reuse materials creatively instead of disposing of them; fabric scraps, books, cardboard, plastic and other material. With this eco-friendly workshop there is no limit to what can be transformed into art! This workshop is available in an in-person or virtual format.Length of Program: 90 minutesCost: $225
Mixed Media CollageProgram Description: Through a variety of mixed media techniques such as texturizing, collaging, writing, mark making and acrylic applications, creative tearing and painting along with a short intro to collage work you will create an amazing art piece. Leave perfection out, and join us having fun experimenting! This workshop is available for an in-person or virtual format.Length of Program: 90 minutesCost: $225
Bio: Lene was born in Norway, educated at Cheltenham University in England, initially focused on portrait, fine art and lifestyle photography in England, Norway and the US. She has for the past 20 years been working in the arts with people with all ranges of abilities and in underserved areas in NJ and Philadelphia. Her personal project has been photographing people with disabilities, seeing first hand what an impact it has and hopes to change some of the social and cultural perceptions while it challenges stigmas and stereotypes. Her art is about empowering minorities and redefining how the mainstream media portrays people with disabilities.
Mamadele Productions
Dance & Music
OlogundeProgram Description: The US-based Ologunde ensemble celebrates the rich Afro-Brazilian culture of Salvador, Bahia through a diverse repertoire of music, dance and martial arts. The group performs a diverse repertoire which includes the rituals associated with candomblé, a synthesis of the Yoruba and Catholic religions in which various orixás (gods) are invoked and the exhilarating samba de roda, which can be traced back to the semba of Angola. Its performances can be tailored to fit a specific venue or event. This workshop is available as an in-person or virtual experience.Length of Program: 45-60 MinutesVenue Requirements: Electrical outlet, extension cord, water.Cost: $350
Recycled SoundsProgram Description: This performance and workshop program, by renowned percussionist Dendê Macêdo, uses instruments he made from found materials to deliver a message about protecting our environment through reuse and recycling. The obvious connection to sustainable practice was an element that he began to incorporate into his performances in order to be able to transmit an important message about our environment. The conduit for this message is a wacky performance on a bunch of wild looking instruments that make some interesting and distinctive sounds. This workshop is available as an in-person or virtual experience.Length of Program: 45-60 minutesCost: $250
Bio: Dendê Macêdo is a percussionist, singer, composer, bandleader, teacher, and multi-instrumentalist.
He has provided workshops, clinics and residency programs throughout the US and Brazil at such esteemed institutions as Lincoln Center, the Juilliard School, the Eastman School of Music and the Peabody Conservatory among many others. Dendê currently teaches regularly in the Philadelphia area.
Musicopia (Various Artists)
Music & Learning
Jazzin’ it up with the Harp with Gloria GalanteProgram Description: Gloria helps students discover the joy and beauty of music as they listen to the variety of wonderful sounds of the harp and are introduced to the history of this unique instrument. The harp is one of the most ancient of the stringed instruments. Remains of harps have been found in Egyptian tombs that are 6000 years old. The harp’s beautiful sound and aesthetic triangular shape have captured people’s imaginations for many centuries, and even today, the fascination lives on. Harp music has experienced resurgence in popularity in recent years. Reflecting this, harps are now regularly part of ensembles in traditions as widely varied as folk, early music, Renaissance, popular and jazz, as well as world and fusion styles. This workshop is available as an in-person or virtual experience.Length of Program: 45-60 min.Cost: $325
Bucket Drumming with Leon JordanProgram Description: Drummer Leon Jordan explores one of the most intuitive forms of music making: percussion. Spanning genres including jazz, Caribbean, traditional classical, and current pop, this highly interactive program presents many types of rhythms, techniques, percussion instruments, as well as historical and cultural contexts. This program gets audiences out of their seats and out of their comfort zones, and into the expansive and inspiring experience of bucket drumming and playing percussion. This workshop is available as an in-person or virtual experience.Length of Program: 45-60 min.Venue Requirements: A few chairs and an outletCost: $400
Bio: Musicopia offers a wide range of music programs for audiences of all ages. Our interactive programs are led by some of Philly’s finest musicians!
Oni Lasana
Storyteller & Wellness
LOL 4 Real! with OniProgram Description: Laugh Out Loud 4 Real is a gentle form of Hasyayoga, a practice involving voluntary laughter with deep breathing. Participants can sit in chairs or stand. No floor work is required. Laughter Yoga is based on the belief that voluntary laughter provides the same physiological and psychological benefits as spontaneous laughter. Laughter yoga is done in groups, with eye contact, movements, music, singing, and playfulness between participants without jokes or comedy.
It is a great exercise to relieve stress for elementary school children up to seniors. This workshop is available as a virtual experience only.Length of Program: 1 hourCost: $300
Oni Lasana, The StorytellerProgram Description: Oni Lasana, a vivacious storyteller who speaks to hearts, touches souls, lifts spirits and brings on the JOY! Allow Oni to create a unique personalized storytelling program for your clients and community. This workshop is available as a virtual experience only.Length of Program: 1 hourCost: $275
Bio: Oni Lasana is a multi-talented performing and teaching artist. A professional storyteller, published poet, radio producer and musician, who specializes in the poetic folktales of Paul Laurence Dunbar. She is featured “rapping Dunbar” in the award winning audio book “Hip Hop Speaks To Children.” Her independent record label produced “Oni Lasana Doin’ Dunbar as ‘Lias’ Mother” and her original poetry, “Sister Wings” in a spoken word CD. She is a featured performer on The Paul Laurence Dunbar Definitive DVD Collection. Based in Chester County, Pennsylvania, Oni travels and performs throughout the US, Europe, Caribbean and most recently in Zimbabwe, Africa. She is an enthusiastic veteran of Art-Reach, who “Constantly, Celebrates, Creativity” as a cultural consultant.
Rachel Hoppenstein
Visual Artist and Yoga Instructor
Chair YogaProgram Description: The body loves to move! Participants will be guided through movements waking up each joint, and increasing heart rate while seated. The session will include deep relaxing breathing, a yoga pose sequence tailored to those present (either completely seated) or if able, using the chair as a prop. This workshop is available as a virtual experience only.Length of Program: 45 minutesCost: $25
Suminagashi: Japanese Paper MarblingProgram Description: Suminagashi is an ancient Japanese marbling technique of floating ink on the water’s surface then capturing this pattern onto paper. Participants will learn the history behind the practice, watch a demonstration, and then make and print their own designs. Marbled paper can be folded to make cards. Even mistakes and challenges in dexterity produce gorgeous results in Suminagashi! This workshop is available as a virtual experience only. For more information about supplies, please email aboyle@art-reach.org.Length of Program: 60 minutesMaximum Number of Participants: 10 peopleCost: $25
Bio: Rachel Hoppenstein earned her yoga teaching certificate from Kripalu Center For Yoga & Health in 2008, and a master’s of occupational therapy from Temple University in 2014. Rachel loves to weave together yogic breathing, principles, and functional movement to increase zest in those with whom she interacts. She brings this intertwined perspective wherever she works: in hospitals, or in group or private yoga classes.
Samantha Ambrico-Custer
Adaptive & Integrative Dance
Dance Beyond BoundariesProgram Description: Let's dance together! Please join us for an integrative dance/movement workshop for dancers of all ages, abilities, skillsets, and experiences. We will learn to express ourselves and explore our bodies in space through dance technique, improvisation, movement games, and by learning choreography. This workshop is available as an in-person or virtual experience.Length of Program: 60 or 90 minutesVenue Requirements: Access to water and extension cord. If possible, an open space with hard floors and a mirror is ideal.Cost: $65
Bio: Samantha is a Philadelphia-based Teaching Artist and dancer. Her passions for adaptive and integrative dance stem from her lifelong experiences as a disabled (blind) dancer. Sam has been studying dance for the past 21 years and is versed in ballet, modern, tap, jazz, and improvisation techniques. She received her BA in dance in 2017, and is a certified Rhythm Works Integrative Dance instructor. She has been teaching classes and workshops to disabled and non-disabled dancers for the past 8 years.
The Clay Studio
Clay Mobile
The Claymobile One Day WorkshopProgram Description: Claymobile sends a teaching artist and an assistant directly to a host site, bringing all of the supplies and materials necessary to conduct a ceramic art lesson. The teaching artist and assistant lead students through comprehensive lessons catered to age, ability, and classroom goals that teach students the basics of building with clay and focus on stimulating the creative imagination. Work is constructed at the site and then transported back to the Claymobile’s studio for firing. The final art works will be delivered back to the site in 4 weeks. For virtual workshops, supply kits with air-dry clay are available to be mailed to clients ahead of time. This workshop is available as an in-person or virtual experience.Length of Program: 90 minutesMaximum Number of Participants: 20Venue Requirements: We require enough tables and chairs for the number of participants. We also ask for access to water somewhere on site.Cost: $225
The Claymobile Residency FormatProgram Description: This workshop is similar to the One-Day workshop, with options for varying lengths (typically 6 to 12 weeks). For the length of a residency we will work with the site every week at the same time and day for a 90-minute lesson. This workshop is available as an in-person or virtual experience.Length of Program: 90 minutesMaximum Number of Participants: 20Venue Requirements: We require enough tables and chairs for the number of participants. We also ask for access to water somewhere on site.Cost: $225
Bio: The Clay Studio is rooted in the belief that all people deserve access to arts learning opportunities, and assumes a strong responsibility to reach all segments of its local community. Our professional teaching artists bring to the partnering sites a “pop-up” ceramics studio that uses the accessible and tactile medium of clay to foster the practice of imagination, critical thinking, persistence, and to serve as a catalyst for community engagement.
Tony Mascara
World Percussionist
World Drum WorkshopProgram Description: Tony brings audiences an interactive show highlighting the many styles of drums and rhythms from around the globe. Participants will be given a brief history on how certain drums are made, their original purpose and reason for being created, and where the drums have migrated to in our musical world today. After each drum is demonstrated, a volunteer will play with the group while the rest of the participants will be lead to clap new rhythms, using dynamics and accents. The goal of these sessions is to make sure that everyone works together to create a percussion jam session that eventually winds down into quiet rhythms that fades to silence. A question and answer session is conducted at the end of each session. This workshop can be offered as an in-person or virtual experience.Length of Program: 45-60 min.Venue Requirements: Chairs arranged in a semi-circleCost: $300
