A COLLABORATIVE PERFORMANCE OF STORYTELLING

Recommended for grades preK through 5.
Study guides are available.
Fee: $1650

Words, sounds and movements can take us to faraway places and tell us stories that delight our senses.

Choreographer Ellen Sinopoli teams up with storyteller Pleasant DeSpain and percussionist Brian Melick to create a program of dance, music and spoken word taking students on an adventure through stories.

A pioneer of America’s storytelling revival, Pleasant DeSpain is a Troy, NY resident who has accumulated over 1000 stories, published over 20 books and embraced a speaking, writing and storytelling career for over 30 years. A world traveler and former television host, Pleasant is the author of 17 award-winning, multicultural story collections. From 1995-98, he received Parent’s Choice honors awards for six of his books. His goal is universality; to show that people everywhere are far more alike than they are different. Pleasant appears regularly at schools, theatres and festivals throughout the U.S.

Brian Melick is active as a performer, recording artist and educator. He has been performing since the age of thirteen and is featured on over 100 commercial recordings including his debut, PERCUSSIVE VOICES, which made #23 on the world music charts as well as being released as a Sound Library. He has two educational bodies of work: The “How To” of Udu and Making Percussion Instruments Out of Found Objects. His educational offerings run the gamut from toddler-age children to senior citizens, from day camps, schools, universities, community-based programs to working with professional music therapists and educators.

A question and answer period follows the performance. To enhance the performance experience, this program can be combined with pre- and/or post-performance workshops with our dancers at your location.

For more information, contact:
Kim Engel, Education Coordinator
(518) 442-5738
kengel@albany.edu