Teaching Artists

Below is a list of teaching artists in the state of Michigan. This list is to be used as a reference. Please contact Teaching Artists individually for professional references. If you are a teaching artist interested in being included in the database, CLICK HERE for the application. 

Cultural, Dance, History, Instrumental Music, Literary Arts, Science, Theatre, Visual Arts, Vocal Music

Annie Chapman Brewer

Midland Midland

Annie Chapman Brewer is a hornist, instructor, and entrepreneur based in mid-Michigan. She owns and operates a home studio where she teaches private lessons on horn, brass, ukulele, and music theory, while also holding culinary classes and operating a side photography business. Before she moved back to Michigan from Iowa, she was a guest clinician for the horn studios at University of Iowa, Iowa State University, and University of Northern Iowa, sharing her knowledge on natural and modern horn performance practices. She also performed throughout the eastern region of Iowa through the Southeast Iowa Symphony Orchestra, Dubuque Symphony Orchestra, Waterloo-Cedar Fall Symphony Orchestra, and Orchestra Iowa. Currently she performs in mid-Michigan orchestras, churches, and chamber ensembles, including the Marquette Symphony Orchestra in Michigan's Upper Peninsula. She holds a Master of Music degree from Indiana University Jacobs School of Music where she studied with Rick Seraphinoff, and received her Bachelor of Music Education degree from Central Michigan University under the tutelage of Dr. Bruce Bonnell. In her free time, you can find Annie adventuring on new trails with her husband Rick, and enjoying a cup of Oolong tea.

Cultural, Instrumental Music, Vocal Music

Copper Tom

Ann Arbor Washtenaw

Copper Tom is a full time children's music songwriter, performer & storyteller who specializes in shows for schools & libraries.

In addition to prewsenting his music- much of it original compositions from his award-winning CDs or new material, he also tells wonderful stories in a way that can be readily understood by listeners of all ages. His current featured story is called "The Sea of Gold". It is a Japanese folk tale of human kindness & understanding triumphing over fear & closed-mindedness. It has been aclaomed for being spell-binding, surprising and inspirational!

Instrumental Music, Vocal Music

Deep Fried Pickle Project

Galesburg Kalamazoo

Construct a DoodleBass! Build a Cigar Box Banjo! Make a Kazoo, or How about a Janglestick? The Pickles will show you how to build and play these zany, multicolored music-makers. Start your own homemade band and lead the parade.

These workshops have been a hit at festivals, parades, pediatric hospitals and community centers around North America, bringing the joy of music to thousands of children and adults.

Cultural, Instrumental Music, Vocal Music

Gemini

Ann Arbor Washtenaw

Gemini writes and plays acoustic music for children and families, celebrating the fun, warmth, and humor of family life. Their recordings and concerts are filled with rousing sing-alongs, folk tales, and music from around the world.

Instrumental Music, Science, Vocal Music

Joe Reilly

Ann Arbor Washtenaw

Joe Reilly is a singer, songwriter and environmental educator from Ann Arbor. Reilly writes songs from his heart that are playful, clever, engaging, joyful and always have something meaningful to say. He offers an educational and interactive musical program that teaches ecology and environmental science to grades K-6, making learning fun for all ages.

Dance, Instrumental Music, Theatre, Vocal Music

Kevin Kammerraad and Friends

Grand Rapids Kent

A wide variety of workshops using poetry, puppetry, music, and movement in an education setting.

Instrumental Music, Vocal Music

Leonardo Gianola

Royal Oak Wayne

Leonardo knows why so many people enjoy songs written during the 1920's and 1930's - the Golden Age of American songwriting. Specializing in solo, acoustic country and delta blues, Leonardo slaps a fresh coat of paint on these rarely heard classics using open tunings on National Reso-Phonic guitars. Leonardo has toured with David "Honeyboy" Edwards, is a Detroit Blues Society artist, and is endorsed by the National Reso-Phonic Guitar Company. Over the last 15 years, Leonardo has performed his "Country Blues Narrative with Songs" at local public libraries, historical societies, and for private groups. It is from 90 minutes to 2 hours in length. It is performed sitting in a chair on a 3" stage using two National Reso-Phonic guitars. He tells the story of the blues by starting with transforming prison work songs into blues songs. From there, he continues chronologically using songs to illustrate how the blues developed. This is done totally acoustic, i.e. using no microphones or sound reinforcement; just like the songs were originally performed. The audience is encouraged to ask questions which helps steer the narrative. He has from 3 to 4 hours of material to select from, so no two performances are the same.

Instrumental Music, Vocal Music

Metro Jazz Voices

Troy Oakland

Metro Jazz Voices delivers American Songbook classics and popular favorites in shimmering four-part harmony. With four vocalists, saxophone, flute, piano, bass and drums, the Detroit-based group creates musical fireworks that delight the eye and ear.

Vocal Music

Michigan Opera Theatre Children’s Chorus

Detroit Wayne

Michigan Opera Theatre can come to you!

Let the artists of the Michigan Opera Theatre Touring Company perform a one-act opera, musical revue, or concert for your school! Our programs are for all audiences and last 30 to 45 minutes.

Our performances qualify for grant assistance from the Michigan Humanities Council.

Theatre, Vocal Music

Mosaic Youth Theatre of Detroit

Detroit Wayne

Mosaic Youth Theatre of Detroit offers professional live theatrical music performances to a wide range of audiences.

Instrumental Music, Vocal Music

Mustard's Retreat

Ann Arbor Washtenaw

The Mustard’s Retreat show for kids is especially suited for elementary ages, grades 2-5, though it is very adaptable. It basically runs 45-60 minutes, and consists of songs and stories: sing alongs and interactive songwriting and a whole lot of fun!. In addition, Mustard’s Retreat can do songwriting workshops with the students.

Cultural, Vocal Music

Rackham Symphony Choir

Grosse Pointe Wayne

Rackham Symphony has 3 outreach programs. The first is Singing it Real which is The Reluctant Dragon performed with life-sized puppets followed by a puppet making workshop and preceded by in class activities that are presented through an in service with teachers. Rackham also offers master classes. Lastly, RSC offers Voices of the Homeless which is a program on homelessness.

Cultural, Instrumental Music, Vocal Music

Red Tail Ring

Kalamazoo Kalamazoo

Red Tail Ring is the Americana roots duo of Michael Beauchamp and Laurel Premo. Whether rendering a traditional tune or one of their original compositions, the duo infuses each song with musical imagination, haunting harmonies and instrumental artistry on fiddle, guitar, banjo, mandolin, jawharp and plain-old foot stomping. Three years and 300-plus shows into their partnership, Beauchamp and Premo have traveled increasingly farther in their musical ramblings, playing shows throughout the Midwest, East Coast and Southeastern United States. In the summer of 2011, the duo added Denmark to their list when they performed and taught as cultural ambassadors through the American Embassy.

Instrumental Music, Vocal Music

Rhythm Billies

East Lansing Ingham

The Rhythm Billies receive praise from their event performances at festivals, coffeehouses, schools and workshops for continuing to keep the old songs alive.

Cultural, History, Instrumental Music, Theatre, Vocal Music

Sheila Grazino and Neil Woodward as Matter & Ghost

Chelsea Washtenaw

Sheila Graziano and Neil Woodward pay tribute to the ghosts of their folk arts ancestors by performing the music and dances that are the foundation of their traditions. These Michigan artists are well known for their entertaining and educational performances of traditional and original dance, songs and folk music. Together as Matter and Ghost, the pair performs dances from England, Scotland, Canada and the Appalachian Mountains, accompanied with tunes and stories reflecting the historical settings of the steps.

Sheila Grazino and Neil Woodward as Matter & Ghost

History, Vocal Music

Sheila Landis Sings in Tribute to Ella Fitzgerald

Rochester Hills Oakland

Sheila Landis offers student performances and workshops.

Sheila Landis Sings in Tribute to Ella Fitzgerald

Dance, Instrumental Music, Theatre, Visual Arts, Vocal Music

The Cook Arts Center

Grand Rapids Kent

The Cook Arts Center send artists, dancers, actors and musicians into schools toteach their specific area of expertise to students in order to supplement the currentcurriculum for teachers and/or to do something fun for events/parties/special activities.

Instrumental Music, Theatre, Vocal Music

Tunes n Tales by Tricia

Laingsburg Shiawassee

Tricia Kjolhede is an extraordinary entertainer and much, much more. Tunes n Tales by Tricia combines the fun of musical expression with 30 years of classroom experience and knowledge of young people.

Tunes n Tales by Tricia

Cultural, History, Instrumental Music, Vocal Music

Valerie Barrymore and the Foundation of Funk

Galesburg Kalamazoo

Valerie Barrymore and the Foundation of Funk is a high-energy musical experience.

Valerie Barrymore and the Foundation of Funk

Dance, Instrumental Music, Theatre, Vocal Music

Wharton Center for Performing Arts

East Lansing Ingham

An artist-in-residence is a professional performer with a dual role as a "teaching artist." During a multi-day stay on campus and in our community, an artist-in-residence shares his or her expertise and insights on creativity during close interaction with youth and lifelong learners.