Balanced Mind XVIII
Sessions
Sponsored by Nassau NYSCAME
November 4, 2014
Molloy College
ART
Cartooning for the Web (MS/HS)
Francis Bonnet, Molloy College (Art)
Cartoons have never been more popular, and students around the globe are discovering new comics every day on the
internet. Teach students to take their own comic creations and digitize them for the world to see. This presentation
will cover conceptualizing comic strip ideas and penciling them on Bristol paper. Also included will be inking
techniques, scanning completed artwork into the computer, and digitally coloring comics using Adobe Photoshop.
Clay Reliquary Workshop (E/MS/HS)
Margaret DeLima, Molloy College (Art)
Explore your understanding of place with artist Margaret DeLima. Learn to tell your story in the act of making a
three-dimensional reliquary for a “sacred” object. Participants will create a house form utilizing clay slab construction
techniques. Interdisciplinary uses will be discussed. Maximum 10 participants
Coil Basketry (MS/HS)
Donna Castagna-Gianelli, Erik Sumter, Uniondale Public Schools (Art)
This lesson is appropriate for the middle school and high school levels and can be tied to the basketry techniques of
Native Americans as well as African weaving methods. Traditionally baskets of this kind are woven from grasses or
reeds. We will use yarn to weave a basket that mimics the methods used by indigenous peoples.
Doodling with a Purpose (MS/HS)
Nora Bellsey, Long Beach Public Schools (Art)
Imagine creating doodles with a purpose. Instead of haphazardly drawing in margins of notebooks or scraps of paper,
transform your doodles with complete focus and attention creating a beautiful art form that requires only paper and
pens. The step-by-step process becomes as important as the product, thus allowing the lovely and unique results to
reveal themselves.
The Figure in Art (MS)
Katie Hillman, Nassau County Museum of Art (Art)
Inspired by works of art, this workshop will engage teachers in inquiry-based discussions, kinesthetic responses, and
hands-on drawing exercises. Teachers will be asked to use visual images as texts, which are "read" to discover
meaning. Working in groups, participants will examine, analyze, and interpret visual images to discern the elements
and principals of art, apply art-based vocabulary, and create interpretations sourced from personal experience and
background knowledge. This workshop will sharpen students' observational and analytical skills through multimodal
activities.
Gestural Figure Fingerpainting (MS/HS)
Leonard Antinori, Molloy College (Art)
Following a brief overview of various Expressionistic artists and techniques, participants will produce a series of
gestural finger paintings using a human figure in short poses as their subject. No experience is necessary. A smock is
strongly recommended. Maximum 12 participants
Ideas for AP 2-D Studio Art (HS)
Louise Millman, Jericho Public Schools (Art)
This will be a Powerpoint Presentation and discussion of current classroom AP student works with an overview of AP
2-D design strategies. The presentation will include traditional as well as experimental photography examples and
new digital artworks.
The Power of Digital Imaging (MS/HS)
Jeffrey Lindberg, Molloy College (Art)
This class will serve as an introduction to the world of digital imaging using Photoshop. Participants would be asked
to bring in their own photographs and/or artwork that can be scanned into the computer. The work can then be
altered or collaged, using cut and paste digital methods. This class will serve to whet the appetite into the power of
digital technology, and they will see how relatively easy it can be to enhance their own personal images.
Seed Bombs: Placing Your Hand in the Urban Environment (E/MS/HS)
Ashli Sisk, Molloy College (Art)
Seed bombs are a mixture of clay soil and/or paper mulch with local native seeds or vegetable plants. This activity
often shifts one’s perspective on the urban landscape and allows you to see the possibilities in space we often take for
granted. It also aids in repopulation of often endangered or rare plants native plants. This contemporary art practice is
a way to activate people of all ages to engage in their environment and change it in a small but powerful way. Seed
Bombing is tied to the urban foraging and local food movements, as well as activism related to access to food in
impoverished neighborhoods and the conservation of native plants. Maximum 10 participants
Social Studies / Art Interdiscplinar (E/MS)
Jan Christopher Porinchak, Jericho Public Schools (Art)
Participants will create model cave paintings, traditional Chinese paintings, folk art of the India, and more. This is a
hands-on workshop. We'll be painting, sculpting, and drawing. Lesson plans will be provided, and attendees will leave
the session with completed projects.
Sumi Ink Figure Drawings(MS/HS)
Leonard Antinori, Molloy College (Art)
Following a brief overview of various Asian pictorial techniques, a hands-on workshop using a less is more approach
will be applied to creating gesture drawings in Sumi ink of a human figure in motion using a bamboo brush. No
experience necessary, a smock is recommended. Maximum12 participants
StoryFaces – Visual Storytelling and Your Amazing Face (E/MS/HS)
Christopher Agostino, Agostino & Co. Performing Arts (Art)
This program brings stories to life through visual art in entertaining ways that are an effective vehicle to inspire
students to take stories and apply critical thinking. It also helps students synthesize stories into visual imagery in
classroom workshops and can also initiate student art and writing projects with their classroom teachers. His new
Amazing Face program is specifically designed to get students to create their personal StoryFace based on their own
dreams and ambitions. Various programs for grades K-12.
Western Calligraphy (HS)
Dalva Antonia Yaron, Uniondale Public Schools (Art)
Learn how to the form the Uncial calligraphy letters which have no distinctions between the miniscule and majuscule
letters Explanation of pen sizes and tips, use of inks, guidelines and spacing. Step by step letter formation
demonstrating the number of strokes involved in each of the letters of the alphabet.
MUSIC
The Brain's Perception of Music (HS)
Alexander Verstraete, Roosevelt UFSD (Music)
How our brain perceives music is a fascinating subject. Most people listen to music not knowing, or even thinking
about why we are the only species that knowingly are aware of what we are listening to, in addition to the music
making process. This presentation discusses the complex processes involved in the brain's ability to understand what
music is, and the debate of whether or not music is a learned thing, or if it is instilled in us from birth.
Come on Down To My Place (E/MS)
Napoleon Revels-Bey, Nassau Performing Arts & Revels-Bey (Music)
This hands-on workshop integrating music, dance and literature, uses ancient Spanish, West African, Caribbean and
early New Orleans styles. The program will focus on dance styles such as Flamenco, Cha Cha, and Meringue; music of
Louis Armstrong, Duke Ellington, and the Harlem Renaissance.
Elementary Band Reading Session (E)
Peggy Rakas, North Merrick Schools (Music)
This session will include the old favorites as well as new band arrangements for the elementary band program. Please
bring your instrument.
Elementary Choral Reading Session (E)
Brian Goldman, Mineola Public Schools (Music)
This session will focus on both new and familiar publications for elementary level choruses. Since every choral
director's situation is different, the literature will address a range of difficulty levels and accessibility.
Elementary String Reading Session (E)
Catherine Beck, Freeport Public Schools (Music)
A variety of elementary level string pieces will be presented for teachers to play through in order to help them decide
if these pieces could be used as a part of their programming. Please bring your instrument.
Finale: For The Music Educator (E/MS/HS)
Ted Scalzo, Bay Shore(retired)(Music)
This will be a demonstration of the many techniques available for music educators to produce music notation for their
students and music programs’ needs. Specific demonstration of Finale’s relationship to SmartMusic, worksheets and
exercises, as well as scanned music will be the main focus.
Improvisation with iReal Pro (MS/HS)
Michelle Rampal, Molloy College (Music)
Do you want to incorporate more improvisation into your classroom, but aren’t quite sure where to start? This
workshop will provide strategies for introducing students to improvisation, supporting lessons and practicing using
iReal Pro (an $8 app) and a sound system. No prior experience in improvisation is necessary. Let’s jam! Please bring
your instruments.
Introduction to Audio Technology for Educators (MS/HS)
Jorge Sosa, Molloy College (Music)
A hands-on seminar on audio technology software, equipment and techniques that can be used by educators to
enhance their teaching. The seminar will explore software such as GarageBand as well as freeware audio editing tools
such as Audacity. The seminar will also introduce the participants to the basic equipment needed for audio
production. Participants will be able to discuss ways that the technology can be used to develop useful classroom
projects. The seminar will be taught at the Molloy Music Mac Lab.
Intuitive Recorder (E)
Erica Whitman Davis, Bellmore Public Schools (Music)
This child-friendly approach to teaching recorder appeals to many different kinds of learners and enables success for
all, as a fun, participatory experience. Sequentially organized, from prior to picking up the instrument to earning a
“Black Belt” in Recorder Karate, this program uses analogies, terms, and songs that “speak” to third and fourth
graders. This highly motivating method facilitates learning, a sense of ownership, and music literacy (“making friends”
with the music). It also addresses the motor issues involved in achieving success in physically manipulating the
instrument. An eclectic approach, using elements of many music philosophies, it focuses on what “works,” which can
be different for every student. Please bring a recorder.
Irish Music in the General Music Classroom: Expect the Unexpected! (E/MS)
Michael Rodgers, Valley Stream District 13 (Music)
With Irish folk music, you can explore not only elements of music, but also explore the use of figurative language in
lyrics, storytelling, social studies and history. The goal of this workshop is to present teachers with an introduction to
using Irish folk music as a cross-curricular, Common Core tool to engage students on different levels, while focusing
on the importance and culture of Irish music and tradition.
Jazz Ensemble Literature Demonstration Session (E/MS/HS)
Ron Fox, East Islip Public Schools (Music)
A select group of musicians/educators teaching in the Long Island school system will perform various charts for jazz
ensemble in a "concert style" setting. Music from all levels, elementary through high school, will be performed.
Writing styles, brass ranges, rhythm section parts, solo/soli sections, etc. will be discussed to help teachers select
appropriate literature for their jazz groups.
Make and Take Manipulative Mania (E)
Jodie Robertson, Herricks Public Schools (Music)
Need a new way to teach that music concept? This is the session for you! We will learn and play several music games
using various manipulatives . You will also make a music manipulative to take back to your classroom to use in your
teaching. You will be able to tailor the manipulative to meet your specific needs in K-5 general music. Most materials
will be provided but please bring the following to ensure you are able to make the most out of your time:
 1 permanent sharpie style marker
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1 box plastic sandwich bags
1 box of envelopes
1 pair of scissors or small paper cutter (like the ones used for scrapbooking)
Making a Soulful Sound and Finding Freedom through Blues, Improvisation (E/MS/HS)
Eli Yamin, Jazz at Lincoln Center (Music)
In this hands-on workshop, participants experience how the Blues is the universal soul of all American music from
Jazz to Country, R&B to Hip-Hop. How do you make a soulful sound? How can improvisation help you sing and dance
the Blues to get rid of the blues? These questions and more are answered as participants prepare to perform “There’s
Blue All Around Me, But I’m Not Feeling Blue Today,” a blues song from Nora’s Ark, the jazz musical by Eli Yamin and
Clifford Carlson.
PEAK Your Interest (E)
Ruth Breidenbach, Freeport Schools, NMEA VP Classroom (Music)
PEAK Your Interest is an introduction to the Parents Educators And Kids 4th grade all county festival. This workshop
is designed to provide detailed information for elementary general music and choral teachers who have not yet
attended this amazing fall event. The Parents Educators And Kids festival has been growing through greater
awareness and gaining recognition for the valuable experiences offered by highly qualified clinicians. Participants will
be able to view excerpts from previous PEAK festival performances and discover what others have loved about PEAK
for twelve years! Special focus will be on nomination and selections process for students and professional
development hours for instructors. Explore the PEAK possibilities today!
Read the Music, Not the Notes: A Whole-language Approach to Sight Singing (E/MS/HS)
Malcolm Gilbert, Massapequa Public Schools (Music)
As choral directors, our goals should be more lofty than presenting ten to twenty minutes of decent-sounding choral
repertoire a few times each year. We should be interested in student musical autonomy. This requires literacy. While
we often work on how to sing intervals, we seldom help the students to see and hear the big picture. At times, it's as if
we are English teachers asking students to read novels one letter at a time. Four key ideas will allow our students to
move from marginally competent sight-readers to literate musicians:
Don't be afraid to sing the right note
Keep your eyes ahead of your voice
Read patterns, not notes
Don't be afraid to guess
Safe Vocal Production for the Young Singer (E/MS/HS)
Amanda Flynn, CAP21 (Music)
This workshop will focus on the basic elements of creating healthy sounds of singing. The technique of singing will be
explored with an emphasis on the technical skills of posture/alignment, breathing, working release of the articulators,
extending pitch range, coordinating register transitions, building practice and preparation skills and warming-up the
voice.
Secondary Band Reading Session (MS/HS)
Larry Ballereau, Syosset Public Schools (Music)
This session will include repertoire suitable for middle and high school bands. Bring your instruments.
Secondary Choral Reading Session (MS/HS)
Shoshana Hershkowitz (Music)
This session will include repertoire for mixed and treble choirs, accessible for all ensemble levels in middle and high school.
Secondary Orchestral Reading Session (MS/HS)
Alan Kunins, Herricks Public Schools (Music)
This session will include repertoire suitable for middle and high school string orchestras from jazz to classics. Bring
your instruments.
SmartMusic: How Can It Benefit Your Program (E, MS, HS)
Ted Scalzo, Bay Shore (retired)(Music)
This is a concise demonstration of SmartMusic’s ability to transform your classroom into a high-powered interactive
music education experience that will transform your students learning potential as well as improve your overall
ensemble. Specific techniques for choral, orchestral and band performance programs will be the highlight, along with
how SmartMusic can meet your district and state standards.
Using Google Doc to Add to the Success of Your Music Program (MS/HS)
Eric Rizzo, Rondout Valley CSD (Music Technology)
Google is a free suite of productivity applications that gives anyone with a Google account access to a word processor,
spreadsheets, a presentation application (Google Slides), and an application to create a form to collect data (Google
Forms). Using Google Forms, see how your music department can go completely paperless with their SLOs. All the
data from large performing ensembles is collected and graded on a single spreadsheet from a single form, cutting
down on the time to test and grade all your students. This workshop will demonstrate how to make giving your SLOs a
quick, efficient process.
Vocal Performance for the Young Performer (MS/HS)
Dr. Meghan Duffy, CAP21 (Music/Theatre)
This workshop will focus on the fundamental tools required to enable the actor to approach music and lyrics are from
the actor’s point of view. The session will focus on the exploration of lyrics as monologues as a technique to support
the emotional life of the actor/character. Emphasis will be placed on how to develop a preparation and rehearsal
process for the successful solo performance of a song.
Web 2.0 Applications and the General Music Classroom: Bringing Technology Based Projects into Your General Music
Classroom (E/MS)
Allison Friedman, Port Washington School District (Music)
Using technology-based projects in the general music classroom can improve excitement, engagement and
achievement of your students. Our students today are living in a digital world and it is important they are learning and
applying 21st century technology skills in all of their subject areas. This workshop will share the benefits of using Web
2.0 (interactive websites) tools for students to compose, create and share their knowledge. A variety of tools will be
shared as well as project suggestions and samples of students’ work.
You Have a Smartboard, Now What? Using Your New IWB Effectively in the Elementary GM Classroom (E)
Allison Friedman, Port Washington School District (Music)
So you have a smartboard in your music classroom, now what? This workshop will share not only the benefits of
having an IWB, but how it can enhance your instruction without taking away from active music making. Many
successful lessons will be shared as well as interactive websites and other resources that work wonderfully in the
elementary general music classroom. Learn how this new popular technology can actually be a great benefit for the
elementary general music teacher.
THEATRE
Because I'm the Director, That's Why: The Director's Job from Start to Finish (E/M/HS)
Matthew DeLuca, Mineola UFSD (Theatre)
At this session, participants will walk through all that being a director of a school play or musical entails. To be
included: From Annie to Zombie Prom: Picking the Right Show, Prepping Your Script or What I Did Over My Summer
Vacation, Casting: Are You My Annie?, Large Casts: To Cut or Not to Cut? To Double-Cast or Not to Double-Cast? What
Do You Do with a Cast of 165?, Rehearsal Schedules: Play Time Ain’t Playtime, Scene Changes: How NOT to Make Your
Show Look Like It Is Being Run By 12-Year-Olds Even Though It Is or The 20-Second Eternity, How to Make Yourself
Look Good: Surrounding Yourself with Talented People, Never Settle for Cute, Tell the Story: The Director’s Job,
Show’s Over, What Do I Do Now?
Choreography for the Non-Choreographer (E/MS/HS)
Meg Pryor, CAP21 (Theatre/Dance)
This workshop is for the non-choreographer and will explore the fundamental elements of creating choreography and
movement for musical theatre works. The session will focus on the choreographer’s creative process, the use of
choreographic devices, the use of improvisation for generating movement and creating meaning through the use of
time, space, energy/force and environment.
SPAMALOT for High Schools – More Girls and a Little Less “Naughty” (HS)
Jim Hoare, Theatrical Rights Worldwide; John Shorter, Prop Rentals NY (Theatre)
Learn how the Tony® Award Winning Best Musical, SPAMALOT, can be produced in your high school. Approved
changes, creative casting suggestions, resources for costumes, props, sets, SFX, accompaniment tracks and projections
will be discussed. Directors who have already produced SPAMALOT are welcome to join us to share your experience.
Theatre Games for High School Students (HS)
Richard Buckley, Lawrence Schools, retired (Theatre)
This workshop will present a variety of theater games collected from many sources that have proven successful in a
high school acting class settings. Many of the games were also used in chorus and other arts-related classes.
Participants will be actively involved in the presentation. A handout will be provided.
Thespian Musicalworks - Write a Musical! (HS)
Jim Hoare, Theatrical Rights Worldwide (Theatre)
This workshop outlines play writing for the aspiring high school composers, lyricists and book writers. In addition to
the submission guidelines, we'll examine the process of creating a new musical. From the initial concept to assembling
a creative team to writing that important first number, we’ll share some important “dos and don’ts.” Theatre and
music teachers, composers, lyricists, book writers and directors are all welcome.
ALL ARTS
Digital Writing Platforms for Arts Education (E/MS/HS)
Matt Applegate, Ph.D., Molloy College (Art/Dance/Music/Theatre)
This session will introduce participants to new digital writing platforms (Twine, Scalar, iBooks Author) that can be
introduced to students at all levels and all areas of arts education. Whether you are interested in writing an e-book, a
script or a piece of interactive fiction, this session will teach you what technologies are freely available to produce
your intended outcome as well as how to upload and advertise your work. Many arts teachers have reported
successful inclusion of digital writing platforms in their classrooms.
New Standards for a New Era (E/MS/HS)
Dr. David Gaines, Massapequa Schools, NYSSMA President (Art, Dance, Music, Theatre)
With the June release of the National Core Arts Standards, we have entered a new era of standards-driven arts
education. These standards along with other reforms in educations provide arts educators a new opportunity to
reflect on practices that enhance student learning. We will look at how to read the new standards along with ideas for
implementation. We will also discuss the NYS Board of Regents and NYSED and their role in implementing these new
standards.
The Power of Positive Teaching (E/MS/HS)
Peggy Rakas, North Merrick Schools (Art, Dance, Music, Theatre)
We will explore concepts of positive psychology and motivational techniques that can benefit teachers in the arts and
their students. We will examine ideas from master teachers and motivational speakers and look at ways to "Raise the
Bar" on our expectations for our students and ourselves. Topics for our students will include: competition vs.
achievement, rewards and creating a fun atmosphere that facilitates learning. Topics to help nurture ourselves will
include self-care, forming successful habits, meditation and gratitude. All participants are encouraged to share ideas
and materials that have been successful in creating a nurturing and positive classroom.
The Presentation Secrets of Billy Joel (HS)
John Fallon, Oconee County Schools, SC, Robert McKinnon (Art/Dance/Music/Theatre)
Looking for something to make you and your classroom presentations more successful? Billy Joel has been amazing
his audiences worldwide for over forty years. What is it that makes him that must see performer, icon and American
institution? Is it his presentation skills, storytelling, humor, audience connection or something else? This curriculum
instructs teachers and students in presentation design techniques, platform delivery skills, critical-thinking skills and
problem solving skills that will give them a competitive advantage, enabling them to be successful. Join John as he
guides us all through an engaging, informative and interactive journey of this American musical icon discovering
proven successful audience relationship building techniques, humor and storytelling presentation secrets you can
learn and apply today.