Providing K-12 educators and students with quality distance
learning opportunities delivered by satellite,
web and other multimedia technologies.
The Performing Arts Series
The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, in cooperation with the Prince William Network, offers arts-based educational programming free to teachers and students across the country through the Performing Arts Series. Programs feature artists and companies who perform at the Kennedy Center and explore the areas of music, dance, theater, and literature.The Performing Arts Series:
- Is free to your school (online registration required);
- Explores the performing and literary arts, featuring artists and companies who perform at the Kennedy Center;
- Is broadcast live and allows students the opportunity to phone in and e-mail questions to the artists.
- A printed study guide featuring instructional activities and resources for each program in the 2007-2008 season;
- Online access to dozens of archived programs from previous seasons;
- E-mail reminders for upcoming broadcasts;
- Satellite reception information for live and rebroadcast programs; Online technical support information.
Fair Use Guidelines for Teachers
Registered educators are permitted to tape each broadcast and use it in your educational institution for the life of the tape. You may duplicate and distribute pages in the study guide among your colleagues and constituents. Programs are intended for the sole use of educators, administrators, and their students, and may not be licensed, distributed, given or sold to any other person or institution without the express permission of the Kennedy Center Education Department. Call (202) 416-8846 for more information.Broadcast Site License Agreement
Providers (i.e., PBS affiliates, regional media centers, educational networks, cable systems) may rebroadcast each program during the year following the original live broadcast. You must get express permission from the Kennedy Center Education Department to re-broadcast Performing Arts Series programs after one year following the original live broadcast. Call (202) 416-8846 for more information.Register now with the Performing Arts Series for free access to all upcoming and archived programs.
A Musical Journey:Imani WindsTuesday, October 2, 2007 *REBROADCAST OF PAST SEASON'S PROGRAM
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This Grammy-nominated wind quintet is known not only for its expert musicianship and ensemble playing but also for its ability to mix classical, jazz, spirituals, and contemporary music into a lively and fun performance. In addition to learning about the origins of modern wind instruments and the cultural bridges that exist between musical genres, students hear music from around the world presented in an understandable and most enjoyable and delightful way. |
Music of the AndesTuesday, October 23, 2007 *REBROADCAST OF PAST SEASON'S PROGRAM
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The vibrant, energetic music of the Andes region of South America is performed in its most authentic form by Andes Manta, professional musicians and natives of the Ecuadorian Andes. Students hear and learn about dozens of traditional instruments, including six-foot-long panpipes. Andes Manta musicians discuss the history, music, and traditions of their culture; demonstrate the rich and haunting sounds of the rain forest; and perform traditional folk music. This presentation was part of the Kennedy Center’s AmericArtes Festival of Latin American Arts and Culture. |
Telling Stories:Christopher MyersFriday, November 2, 2007 |
Christopher Myers comes from a long line of creative storytellers and has come to tell his own tales in books such as Black Cat, Fly! and Wings. The celebrated author and illustrator shares his own experiences and influences growing up as well as his passion for art which has earned him several awards, including a Caldecott Honor for his illustrations in Harlem as well as a Coretta Scott King Honor for Illustration. Myers discusses his books as well as his unique style of artwork that combines painting, photography, and collages with moderator Maria Salvadore. |
Full Circle Productions:Hip Hop to Da HeadFriday, November 16, 2007
*REBROADCAST OF PAST SEASON'S PROGRAM
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 Meet Kwikstep, Rokafella, Spex, Baba, and the rest of the crew as they break, lock, pop, and up-rock until you stand up and cheer! The members of Full Circle Productions present a behind-the-scenes look at the culture and aesthetics of hip hop, the elements and dance styles, and the high-energy performance characteristic of this positive and vivacious expression of urban culture. |
Latin Jazz withBobby SanabriaTuesday, December 11, 2007 *REBROADCAST OF PAST SEASON'S PROGRAM |
Master drummer, educator, and Grammy®-nominated artist Bobby Sanabria, and ¡Quarteto Aché!, take students on a musical journey that demonstrates how history, politics, and religion influenced the rhythms of Africa to create the rich array of musical styles known as Latin music. Students hear how the five-beat rhythm of the clave can be traced from 15th century Africa to the New World and can still be heard today in rock-and-roll and hip hop. This presentation was part of the Kennedy Center’s AmericArtes Festival of Latin American Arts and Culture. |
Urban Bush Women:Shadow's ChildTuesday, January 15, 2008
*REBROADCAST OF PAST SEASON'S PROGRAM
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The award-winning performance troupe Urban Bush Women and the National Song and Dance Company of Mozambique join together to present a program that demonstrates the rich and complex music and dance of Southeast Africa, and shows how dance, music, narration, and puppetry can be combined to tell a richly layered story of a young girl’ s heroism. Through performance excerpts from the commissioned work, Shadow’s Child, the company addresses issues of intolerance, embracing difference, and finding strength and sense of self in difficult times. |
Robotopia RisingFriday, February 15, 2008
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Author of Loving the Machine: The Art and Science of Japanese Robots, Tim Hornyak takes students on a historical journey detailing the rise of robots in Japan during this discussion and demonstration program. Students take a virtual tour of the robot exhibition, a part of JAPAN! culture + hyperculture at the Kennedy Center, featuring some of Japan’s most popular robots. Students also meet two researchers who have made remarkable progress in the field of robotics: Professor Hiroshi Ishiguro and Robo Garage’s creator Tomotaka Takahashi. |
Jazz:Terell Stafford Quintet
Wednesday, March 5, 2008
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A gifted and versatile trumpeter, Terell Stafford and his quintet combine lyricism and a deep love of melody with an adventurous edge. Currently the Director of Jazz Studies at Temple University, Terell Stafford and his quintet demonstrate and discuss the blues as well as Louis Armstrong’s musical influence with the classic hit “West End Blues,” which set the standard for jazz for many years. In addition, the quintet will talk about improvisation and ensemble playing and, through performance, guide students in what to listen for in jazz. |
Telling Stories: Gene Yang
Thursday, March 27, 2008 |
Go beyond the page with author Gene Yang as he discusses childhood, his Chinese influences, and comic books. The author of American Born Chinese, the first graphic novel to be nominated for a National Book Award and Printz Award winner, joins moderator Maria Salvadore in the studio as part of the Telling Stories series. |
Time For ThreeWednesday, April 16, 2008 |
Time for Three is a youthful and engaging trio of musicians who play a widely diverse repertoire that transcends traditional performance genres. These classically trained string players perform an eclectic mix of bluegrass. Hungarian gypsy, jazz, country-western fiddling, classical and improvisatory music. During the program, Time for Three performs music from Brahms to the Beatles and beyond and demonstrates how engaging music of all genres can be when played with spontancity, enthusiasm, and technical virtuosity. |
Black Grace Tuesday, April 29, 2008 |
Black Grace, an all-male dance company from New Zealand, takes the stage with an explosive program that mixes rhythm, spirit, and energy. The Boston Globe hails their work as “a strikingly imaginative fusion of traditional Samoan/Maori dance and contemporary styles.” Artistic Director Neil Ieremia weaves his abiding belief in three key Samoan principles—Fa’amaoni (integrity, honesty, and pride), Fa’amalosi/Loto Tele (perseverance and determination), and Fa’aloalo (humility and respect)—into his choreography, which translates into an amazing program that captivates audiences. Company members also discuss the unique cultural aspects of their work and demonstrate the mix of traditional and contemporary dance forms. |
Hakata Kinjishi Taiko andHakata Komo
Tuesday, May 6, 2008 |
Hakata Kinjishi Taiko and Hakata Koma is led by siblings Jyuraku and Syouraku Chikushi and performs a style of drumming which derived from music used for the Lion Dance, a traditional dance used to bring good luck, and traditional Hakata Top-spinning act. These taiko drummers use a wide rage of stick percussion instruments to meld their drumbeat with other genres such as jazz and rock while integrating a traditional Hakata Top-spinning act into this unique sound experience. Playing with tops is an old form of child's play in many countries. In Japan, the birth of this koma (top-spinning) art came about in a unique style with the use of a top in a series of tricks. The origin of this top art, said to have come from the Hakata Koma, has a long history of more than 400 years and was first developed in Japan as a magnificent form of entertainment. This presentation was part of the Kennedy Center's JAPAN! culture + hyperculture festival. |
Jazz Reach:She Said/She Says Friday, May 16, 2008 |
Jazz Reach’s She Said/She Says is a celebration of women’s achievements and music in jazz from the early 20th century to the present day. This high-energy program is filled with music, narration, film, and stunning lighting, scenic, and projection designs. Students will explore the lives of women composers, arrangers, instrumentalists, and vocalists who have dedicated their lives to jazz.
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