School assemblies include both solo and duo performances and lecture/demonstrations.
“Dancing Drums”
Shekere…Congas…Dundun…Cuica…Flying Hands, Shifting Feet, Swirling Braids
Using a fascinating array of percussion instruments, often homemade, Beverly shares excitement of world cultures and curriculum with music, spoken word, stories and dance. Percussion of Africa, Cuba, Brazil with a taste of jazz and Carolina spice.
Students will understand music in relation to history and culture. They will understand connections to drumming and language and will have a deeper understanding of rhythm and pattern in music, speech and across the curriculum. Highly interactive with call and response, body percussion, song and movement. Connections with music, social studies, language arts. The program can have a specific cultural or curriculum focus such as the music of Africa, Latin America, jazz connections OR language arts integration with stories, poetry and other text.
Curricular Connections: Music, Social Studies, Language Arts and Twenty-First Century Skills
45 minute to 1 hour (K-7, 7-12 for smaller audiences, families) Audience size limit- 300
“Science of Sound”
Beverly blends music, movement, spoken word and stories in a high energy, interactive performance, celebrating the gift of listening and the science of sound.
Embracing the universal language of rhythm, she integrates culture, character and 2nd grade curriculum with drums of Africa, and Latin America and wild and crazy percussion creations from around the world, including her own back yard. Ancient drums dance with wacky home made instruments in this “Vibration Celebration,” to explore wavelength, frequency, volume, pitch and other scientific sound phenomenon. Highly “edutaining” and interactive with call and response rhythms, body percussion and voice
Students will know how sounds are made by using a variety of instruments and sound makers and that sound is produced by vibrating objects. They will know that the pitch and the frequency can be changed by altering the size and shape of instruments.
Curricular Connections: Music, Social Studies, Science and Language Arts
45 minute to 1 hour (K-5 ) Audience size limit- 300
Supports 2nd grade science curriculum requirements
Cantamos Con Ritmo
A bi-lingual celebration of Latin Rhythms & the Spanish Language with Beverly Botsford & Elise Witt
Join international vocalist Elise Witt & cross-cultural percussionist Beverly Botsford on a Bi-Lingual artsploration/celebration exploring the Spanish Language and the Contagious Rhythms of Latin America, Spain, and the Caribbean. In an inspired collaboration that honors traditions in a contemporary spirit, Elise & Beverly are the guides on a journey using the two oldest forms of musical expression. Students join in polyrhythms and vocal harmonies on everything from Cuban son and Chilean nueva canción to Spanish flamenco and a Nicaraguan food song! We will even create a “polyrhythmic sound painting” using Thank You’s from around the world. Music is a language used by people all over the world, a bridge that brings us together as one human family. When we learn songs from other countries, we learn to appreciate what makes each culture different, special, and unique. .
“This terrific team of two captivated both elementary and middle school students. Phenomenal!” Corinth Holders School, Zebulon NC
“We think the key to better understanding and appreciating music and foreign language is to get children involved in fun, high energy, interactive music and language experimentation, and that is exactly what ‘Cantamos con Ritmo’ did for our students!” Joyner Elementary School, Raleigh NC
Together, Beverly and Elise have sung and played in schools around the Southeast, working with Kindergarten through High School age students including students studying Spanish, French, Chorus, Band, Theater, Dance,and core academics. Their collaborations have also included Teacher Workshops and polyrhythmic/multi-tonal Workshops for Adults. “Singing Hands,” their residency at Creekside High School in Atlanta, was featured in Pass It On, the national journal of the Children’s Music Network. In addition to being animated and entertaining performers, Beverly and Elise are known and loved as Educators who pass on their passion for singing, percussion, and world cultures to students of all ages.
Grade Levels: Elementary, Middle, & High School Maximum number of students: 250 Available as Performance OR 1-2 week Residency
ELISE WITT was born in Switzerland, raised in North Carolina and since 1977 has made her home in Atlanta. She speaks five languages fluently and sings in at least a dozen more. Elise has performed and taught everywhere from Carnegie Hall and Lincoln Center to venues around the World. www.elisewitt.com
“Drums Alive”
Percussionist, Beverly Botsford with guest drummer/dancer
Percussionist, Beverly Botsford is joined by a guest drummer/dancer in an interactive celebration of universal rhythm with drumming, percussion, song, movement and spoken word. Embracing the music of Latin America, the Caribbean, Africa and the USA, they guide audiences in high energy, rhythmic adventure, connecting culture and curriculum.
Drums Alive is adapted for children and family audiences as well as adult programming. When the budget and venue allows, it is presented as a trio or larger ensemble.