Who: Canterbury Avenue Elementary and Magnet of Los Angeles Unified School District
What: Short-term student workshop series
Staff: Darlene Munnings

"I listen and I forget.
I see and I understand.
I do and I remember."
- Chinese Proverb

In late September, 13 years ago, four classrooms (grades 1-4) each headed at their scheduled times to the auditorium of LAUSD's Canterbury Avenue Elementary School, where they would experience their first in a series of eight workshops with teaching artists from the Music Center. Over the course of several months, those students participated in an individually designed arts package focusing on "Music and Movement," in which a music artist introduced the fundamentals of a music ensemble, followed by four more sessions with a dance artist who incorporated elements of creative movement. To enhance the experience, the students attended assemblies presented by professional music and dance companies, which underscored the authentic artistry of what they had been doing in their workshop series.

The upper grade classrooms experienced a similar program, with a focus on "Mythology." Their series of eight workshops began with a Native American storyteller (demonstrating the importance of mythology to her people); followed by sessions with a visual artist (creating a papier mâché mask representing an imaginary/mythological animal); a theatre artist (giving character to the mask); and ending with a creative movement artist (adding a physical presence to the animal of the mask). And so began a partnership with Canterbury Avenue Elementary and Magnet during which Music Center artists have provided over 1,400 arts events -- consisting predominately of student workshops, but also including performances and professional development -- to hundreds of students over the past 12 academic years.

The partnership continues today with the same 'series of 8' workshops per classroom structure as in the early years. Magnet Coordinator Marchand Erickson, now in her 8th year as school liaison for Music Center activities, reminisced that as a very "hands-on" school, Canterbury's emphasis on providing workshops for their students began with the belief that workshops actively engage students and maximize the value of available financial resources (which consistently includes strong parental support).

This year's program for grades 3-5 continues a sequential workshop series begun several years ago, which focuses on folk and creative world dance. Led by Aman Dance Educators Shyamala Moorty and Lynnanne Hanson-Miller, students participate in lessons that draw from grade level curriculum and are building a repertoire of dances they can present. Marchand summarized the value of these movement workshops by stating that they build student confidence and self-esteem; reach the kinesthetic learners, allowing them to express with their bodies; and that they are enjoyed by students and teachers alike.

Grades 1 and 2 will begin an introduction to rhythm and movement by focusing their workshop series on West African drumming, dance and culture with Andrew Grueshow. In addition to the workshop components, each grade will see a performance featuring a historical character by Americana Unlimited. This integrates with other areas of the curriculum, including social studies, geography and science.

To further enhance their arts education program, Canterbury has added another layer of services this year, electing to utilize district funding to engage the Music Center's Integrated Arts Package (IAP), which will provide even more workshop, assembly performance and professional development opportunities for students and teachers. With about 900 students in grades K-5 and an additional 250 students in the Magnet center, coordinating all of these arts activities on this Pacoima school campus is by no means an easy task. Thinking about the months ahead, Marchand concludes, "although it's always a challenge for scheduling, I think it will be worth it."

Short-term workshops are based on individual school needs and can focus on specific classrooms, a grade level or the entire school. For information about how a Music Center artist can be a part of your district or school program, call (213) 250-ARTS or e-mail us at schoolprograms@musiccenter.org.

Written by Marlene Leuenhagen, Associate Director, School Programs