I began learning to teach while working as an administrator for the arts-in-education organization – ArtsConnection, while posted at P.S.27 in the Redhook area of Brooklyn from 1993-95. I worked with David Pleasant who taught music on behalf of the organization and served as my teaching model.
My opportunity to actually teach came after David resigned. I offered to continue the music program he developed, due to the interests the kids had in music and the need I saw for the arts in what was an economically challenged community. I began my first residency after participating in ArtsConnection’s Summer Teacher’s Institute in 1995. I taught and developed concepts at P.S.27 from the fall of 1995 until spring of 1997.
During that time I developed curriculum, created and held music workshops, and implemented music & arts programming at various schools in all 5 boroughs of New York City in collaboration with Arts Connection and other organizations such as Henry Street Settlement, University Settlement, The Black Rock Coalition, and Hudson Repertory Dance Theatre in Jersey City.
Since 1997, I’ve held various collaborative music workshops with Pete Kalvert including several music workshops for Music Ascension at Morry’s Camp.
From 1999 to present, my work has been on focused at 2 locations:
1. The Door ( one of NYC’s most progressive youth development agencies), serving as Youth Developer, Teaching Artist, and Arts Program Coordinator. At the end of December 2008 I ended my residency at The Door.
2. As the resident teaching artist at P.S.3 in the West Village of New York City.
In 2005, a documentary called “When Fried Eggs Fly” was made at this school about some of my work and a community project that featured 162 2nd & 3rd graders. The film premiered in the 2006 Tribeca Film Festival.
The film is currently in rotation on the Starz cable network and is being screened at film festivals and an array of learning and cultural institutions including colleges such as Pepperdine University’s Graduate School of Education & Psychology, University of Dayton’s School of Education in Ohio, and Jacksonville’s Museum of Cultural Arts. Starting in May of 2009, the documentary will end its run on Starz and continue on The Documentary Channel. I also speak and hold workshops at many of the screening locations.
Through 2006 and 2008, my curriculum design, programs, and performances have raised over $300,000.00 in funds for arts and music education.
