Saint Paul Public Schools 9th Annual Arts for All Conference is a professional development training for educators, administrators, parents/guardians, community members, artists and arts organizations that work with educators and youth in Saint Paul Public Schools, other districts, or in the community.

The goal of the conference is to provide participants with visual and performing arts knowledge, skills, tools and the beliefs necessary to create high levels of student learning and engagement, improve instructional quality and encourage personal artistic growth. Again, this year’s sessions will represent all visual and performing arts areas, arts education and arts integration, and a special focus this year will be music and music and science integration. Workshops that complement this focus are especially welcome.

Our Keynote Speaker this year is Lyz Jaakola

Keynote Address Description:
"American Indian Music in Minnesota's Classrooms: A Primer for the 21st Century"

 
Join Lyz Jaakola (enrolled member of Fond du Lac Band of Ojibwe) as she explores the role that Minnesota's educators can play in bringing Anishinaabe and Lakota music into the classroom, as mandated by recent state legislation.  Having experience as an Anishinaabe music educator (pre-K through college) and performing/recording artist, Ms. Jaakola shares many insights into successful, meaningful, culturally sensitive, and even FUN methods which educators can readily apply within their own classrooms.

Jaakola has recently worked with Perpich Center for the Arts in conjunction with the "Kevin Locke Hoopdance Curriculum" workshop, as invited faculty at Banff Centre for the Arts,  and as performing leader with Oshkii Giizhik Singers, recipients of the 2009 "best traditional recording" Native American Music Award (aka "Nammy"). 

She currently sits on the First Nations Composers Advisory Board, FDL Tribal College Board, and is presenting at MMEA this February while she  continues to teach Music and American Indian Studies full-time at the Fond du Lac Tribal & Community College.
 
Workshop Session Description - presented twice at the Conference:
"Native Music: Pow-wow and Beyond"

Lyz Jaakola will lead participants in an interactive exploration of Minnesota's tribal music.  Although most tribal customs prohibit complete disclosure of sacred musics, do not interpret this to mean ALL  tribal music is off-limits.  There is a WORLD of Anishinaabe, Dakota, Lakota, Hochunck and other tribal music available to the non-Native listener, learner and performer. 

Knowing which music is essential, and Lyz will teach participants how to become more successful at distinguishing such music while asking educators to "step out of their comfort zone" with activities that can be transferred to the classroom.  Because music is not usually a separate disclipline in tribal communities, arts educators from all disciplines will be able to find relevance in this session.

••••••••••••••••••••

Conference Contacts:    

    East Side Arts Council • 977 Payne Ave. • St. Paul, MN 55101
    651.774.5422 Phone    • 651-774-5502 • esac@visi.com

SPPS Contacts:    
  Jan Spencer de Gutiérrez,
  Supervisor of Visual and Performing Arts
  651-5526 • jan.spencer@spps.org


For more information, visit thecenter.spps.org/Arts_for_All_Conference.html