SCHOOL PROGRAMS
Pre K Programs
School Programs
After School Programs
What We Do
Rhythm Ambassadors’ mission is to act as cultural emissaries for students of all ages and communities by facilitating historical and cultural awareness through the language of music and dance. History and culture come alive in an environment where participants feel connected and inspired. Programs are tailored in a format that is compatible for school assemblies, artist residencies, classroom demonstrations, workshops and before or after-school activities.
Why We Do It
Music is the universal language. We all respond to music with emotion and movement. And it is precisely because music elicits such a strong response that it is the perfect medium for bringing greater cultural and historical awareness to young audiences.
What Are the Results
Our programs are designed with culturally responsive education systems in mind, and have been shown to have many positive “side effects,” including:
- Breaking down cultural barriers;
- Creating harmony, unity, and cooperation through team building;
- Building confidence through improved spontaneity and innovation;
- Opening up the musical ear and Providing a great source of entertainment and fun!
RHYTHM AMBASSADOR™ PROGRAMS
Arts Education Statement of Support
“The Arts are an essential part of public education. From dance and music to theatre and the visual arts, the Arts give children a unique means of expression, capturing their passions and emotions, and allowing them to explore new ideas, subject matter, and cultures. They bring us joy in every aspect of our lives.
Arts education not only enhances students’ understanding of the world around them, but it also broadens their perspective on traditional academics. The Arts give us the creativity to express ourselves, while challenging our intellect. The Arts integrate life and learning for all students, and are integral in the development of the whole person.
The Arts communicate and speak to us in ways that teach literacy and enhance our lives. We must continue to find a place for arts programs and partnerships not only for what it teaches students about art, but for what it teaches us all about the world we live in.”
Dr. Terry Bergeson, Washington State Superintendent of Public Instruction (November, 2001)
Powerful Learning through the Arts
As the advocacy project of award-winning, documentary filmmakers Brian Quist and Karen Hirsch and the Seattle Arts Education Consortium, Powerful Learning through the Arts speaks to the tremendous impact of arts learning – an aesthetic, dynamic body of work that invites us to take risks, think critically, trust uncertainty, imagine possibilities and persist. Arturo Rodriguez is a featured educator in this video, and appears at the 12:00 minute mark.
ARTURO TALKS ABOUT WHY?
Program Duration: 15-90 minutes
Audience Size: Limited only by facility capacity
Description: Rhythm Ambassadors specializes in presenting interactive assemblies and workshops. Our programs show the influences of Cuban, Puerto Rican, Brazilian, West African music and dance on American Rock, Pop, Jazz and Hip Hop. During our assembly programs, we demonstrate the complexity and diversity of these cultures using the tools of traditional music and dance and demonstrating there relationship to modern music. The presentation is flexible and customizable, and includes but is not limited to:
- Cuban salsa, bembé and rumba.
- Puerto Rican bomba
- Brazilian bossa nova and samba
- American and Latin Jazz
Program Duration: Varies according to your needs
Audience Size: Any size audience but best when they are in smaller classroom size groups.
Description: Rhythm Ambassadors Artist-in-Residency program provides educators an exciting opportunity to integrate music with specific curricular areas, such as social studies, history, language arts, and music. An artist-in-residence can provide a spark for non-traditional learners by encouraging creativity and originality through a wide range of teaching styles. Residencies also provide public education institutions with an outlet to meet state educational requirements for arts and humanities, such as Washington State’s Arts Essential Academic Learning Requirements.
Program Duration: 15-90 minutes
Audience Size: Class Room Size
Description: We can custom tailor short or long focused demonstrations or workshops to be presented in a classroom setting. For example, in a social studies, history, language arts classes and band room. We can present an interactive performance with discussion of the African diaspora, its impact on Afro-Latin music and culture, and its downstream effect on contemporary music genres. In a music classroom, we can teach students the theory and method of these musical genres,
Program Duration: 45-90 minutes
Audience Size: Up to 50 students
Description: This is a hands on program where kids learn the tools necessary to start playing music together. We use a variety of methods including body percussion, games and eventually hand drums and percussion. In time they will learn more complex music concepts that will get them bringing their own inner music out.
