Programs
School Residencies
General
Peter and Mary Alice Amidon offer duo and solo residencies to schools in traditional dance, storytelling, music and movement. A residency generally means at least 3 - 5 or more visits to each participating classroom size group of students over a number of days. The Amidons can do 4-5 sessions per day. They do residencies from Maine to Philadelphia, from Boston to Rochester, NY.
Peter and Mary Alice each have a limited number of days each year that they devote to solo residencies. They save more days (and thus are more likely to have time for) a duo residency where they each work in separate spaces. A duo residency can include a duo assembly program for the whole school, and often culminates in the Amidons leading an evening dance for the whole school community.
Mary Alice Amidon's Residencies
Mary Alice often contacts a school before a visit to find out about their
themes and to brainstorm ideas for repertoire. These thematic choices are
supplemented with her favorite songs, stories and dances. Her strongest themes
include: the seasons, African-American, Native American, country life, and
the environment. Activities include chants, singing games, fingerplays, participatory
folktales, longways dances, playground games, creating dances from songs,
and folktales from around the world.
Mary Alice has a special gift for enhancing picture books with music and
movement. She "sings" picture books to children, making up tunes
to the books' text, or she finds the perfect taped background music to her
reading of a picture book. Mary Alice accompanies herself on banjo, accordion
and guitar. The Amidons' published tapes and books of songs, singing games
and dances are further resources for teachers and students. Teacher workshops
are an essential component of Mary Alice's work in schools; many teachers
have been moved to laughter and tears by her workshop activities.
Peter Amidon's Residencies
Peter's sessions involve the children in traditional Anglo American dance and can also include Peter telling folktales to the children.
Peter is known for his clear and positive teaching and for his ability to give children of diverse backgrounds and ages a dynamic and joyful dance experience. Some of the principles in Peter's dance teaching include:
- Distract children from their self consciousness.
- Break down the dance into succession of
elements each of which the children will succeed in. - Make expectations clear.
- Use positive group management techniques.
- Get them dancing as soon as possible.
- Create dance independence.
Keeping the dancing engaging; quick & fun dances
Parameters of an Amidon residency
Four to five 45-minute sessions a day; One classroom size group for each session (no double class sessions).
The Amidons encourage classroom teachers to participate in the sessions, and *strongly encourage* the physical education and music teachers to participate in at least a few sessions, as they are the ones most likely to continue dancing with the students.
The Amidons require that there be at least one adult school staff member at all sessions.
The Amidons require a large space for dancing. Often Peter works in the gym and Mary Alice works in another large space, like a cleared out music room. They have a lot of equipment and materials so it does not work to move around from space to space.
Evening Community Dance
Amidon dance residencies almost always finish with an evening community dance. Peter calls to the live music of Mary Alice's piano playing and a hired fiddler. Children, parents, teachers, and other members of the greater school community come together for an evening of dances that can be enjoyed by all, regardless of previous dance experience. While all dances are taught at the community dance, the Amidons make a point of including some of the dances the children have learned in their residency sessions.
The Amidons usually run their evening community dances from 6:30 - 8:00 pm or from 7:00 - 8:30 pm. The Amidons provide their own sound system for the dance.
What They're Saying
His management skills were superb....Peter's lessons were incredibly well
planned and integrated, and developed in depth from day to day... Peter
left tapes of everything he did with the children to help us continue his
work. Peter is obviously committed to having the teachers continue his
work after he has gone and has worked out very effective ways to support
teachers in that process.
—Norma Wilmingham; Neighborhood Schoolhouse, Brattleboro
Peter has completely transformed my views with regards to dance in the physical
education classroom. It can be done, and it can be done in such a way that
all ages enjoy it very much.
—Buddy Hayford; PhysEd, Wilmington Junior High School
The teachers told me that it was the best residency they ever had, Parents
called me to express their appreciation, and the children were excited and
inspired by your work and by your example...The community dance was wonderful!
It was definitely the best schoolwide family gathering we've ever had.
—Rebecca Lallier, Arts Coordinator; Hartford VT Elementary School
And just like you said, when the star was made and we put it in the air
people did cry.
—Bridgewater, VT 6th grader
Fees
The Amidons charge travel and one night hotel for each residency day plus $450 - $500 per day for a solo residency and $800 - $1,000 per day for a duo residency. The Amidon's $650 fee for a community dance at the end of a residency includes $200 for the Amidons to hire a fiddler for the evening dance (Peter calls to the music of Mary Alice on piano and the hired fiddler).
For More Information Contact
Peter or Mary Alice Amidon
20 Willow Street
Brattleboro, VT 05301
802-257-1006
info@amidonmusic.com