The Archipelago Project believes in music. The non-profit outreach ensemble is dedicated to educating and inspiring students and adults through hands-on master classes, performance workshops and community performances. The ensemble provides education programs such as school residencies, the 12 Trumpets program and the Junior Archipelago Ensemble, along with interactive community concerts and tailored performances.

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.

Professional storyteller, retired public school teacher and historian Genot Picor specializes in the stories, songs and dances of his French voyageur ancestors.

Guy Louis, as the Chautauqua Express, has been presenting educational school assemblies and family fun concerts to rave reviews since 1986. School assemblies offer a wide variety of curriculum enhancing show themes, an incredible collection of unique and beautiful instruments, and maximum audience interaction along with phenomenal teacher evaluations.

Guitarist who offers workshops

Jean Stow Bolley loves stories, and it shows in her programs for audiences of all ages. Choosing from an extensive repertoire of stories of Michigan.

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.

John Churchville is a two time Grammy Nominated Music Educator, Music Education Consultant, and national presenter for the Bureau of Education Research (BER). He holds a BFA in World Music Performance from California Institute of the Arts, and a Masters in Music Education from The University of Michigan. John is also an award winning musician, producer, engineer and founder of the Indian music fusion group Sumkali, who released their 4th album in 2018 and continue to perform and tour throughout the US.

John specializes in Indian tabla drumming. His experience in the music industry has been incredibly diverse. In addition to hosting over 130 monthly Indian Music Nights at the Crazy Wisdom Tearoom, John has also been a featured performer for the Michigan Pops Orchestra, performed at a wide array of venues including festival stages, churches, temples, schools, boats, floats and more. He has played in steel drum groups, Bollywood groups, rock bands, funk bands, bar mitzvahs, weddings, corporate events, private parties, live radio, and much more.

As an educator, John started and directed for 11 years an award winning music program for Infant-8th grade music students at Go Like The Wind School in Ann Arbor, MI. His work at that school has been nationally recognized and has compelled John to present his work at the Association for Popular Music Educators National Conference, the NYU IMPACT conference, the Michigan Music Education Conference, and as a provider of professional development seminars for Elementary music teachers nationwide.

The KSOhave numerous opportunities for musicians or ensembles to visit schools. Some programs are open enrollment, and others serve specific schools. Please contact KSO for program offerings.

Kazimierz Brzozowski is a classical pianist performing around the United States, Poland, Japan, and other countries. He performs as an orchestral soloist, in chamber ensembles, and on his own. His repertoire covers a wide range of styles from Baroque to Classical, Romantic to 20th century. He has garnered international acclaim in particular for his captivating performances of the music of Chopin.

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

Ann Arbor Symphony has multiple outreach programs such as Instrument Petting Zoo (Young children are taught basics of string instruments), Meet Your Conductor (The Ann Arbor Symphony Conductorcomes to schools to discuss music and the life of a musician), and Ensemble in Your Classroom (Ann Arbor Symphony's small ensembles play for schools).

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.

Linda Lee is the "House Entertainer" for the world-famous Bavarian Inn in Frankenmuth, Michigan, and is also their "good-will ambassador," promoting German hospitality wherever she goes. Linda Lee became affiliated with Frankenmuth Bavarian Inn fulltime in 1991. She is affectionately known as "Bavarian Inn's Linda Lee" where she entertains five days a week!

What do Detroit and Antarctica have in common?

With her multi-cultural collection of drums and percussion, Lori Fithian offers a unique, high-energy, hands-on program. There is no audience at Drummunity performances, as the audience becomes the show! Dummunity programs take any group of strangers at festivals, libraries, schools, camps or faith communities and have them drumming, singing and dancing together in seconds, creating their own orchestra. Drummunity drum circles can promote stress release, personal growth and empowerment, cooperation, listening skills, team building, diversity awareness and more.

Award-winning virtuoso marimbist David Hall has a passion for the marimba, and he loves to share it. Hall brings twenty-five years of experience to his unique cultural program of music from around the world. Dressed in full costume, he performs musical selections from South America, Mexico, Africa, Japan, Germany and the USA on the Mexican Marimba, African Balafon and other vintage marimbas and xylophones. Appropriate for all ages, audiences interact throughout the program by singing, dancing, rhythmic clapping and more

Mark Lincoln Braun is one of the premiere purveyors of a vanishing art: blues piano. A rare, living link to the music and storied traditions of the first generation of blues pianists, Mr. B is an electrifying performer and master storyteller. He performs worldwide as a soloist, in piano duet, with small groups and with full jazz orchestra. It has been said that not many pianists in this style play with more conviction. Mr. B knows the complete legacy of blues piano, and in addition to performing, he conducts workshops and residencies on blues piano styles, history and improvisation. Mr. B is also available with the Joybox Express. Founded by Mr. B, the Joybox Express is a unique fundraising platform that partners with charitable organizations that provide greater access to art and athletic programs for children.

Mary J. Grant received a standing ovation when doing a story before a large audience at Cobo Hall in Detroit, Michigan in 2007. Her second performance had a line outside before the storytelling started. Eight years of performing has been one of the most interesting and exciting part of her life. Participating in Storytelling Workshop in Flint Michigan at the Michigan Storytelling Festival and traveling to Atlanta, Georgia, Baltimore, Maryland and Chicago, Illinois for the National Black Storytelling Festivals gave her a raised level of understand what storytelling was all about. These Storytelling Festivals offered her a chance to observe experienced tellers, storytelling workshops and opportunities to develop the craft of storytelling.

Mary Grant is a retired educator, storyteller and children’s book author. Mary has published her stories, My Daddy Taught Me To Read and Floyd B’s Ponds In the fall of 2016 her latest book children’s book, Sunday’s Shadows, will be published. Her stories are largely inspired by her life experiences. She especially enjoys her living history reenactment of Sojourner Truth, which is a historical figure who lived in Battle Creek, Michigan.  She has been a workshop presenter for parents, teachers, children and varies professional workers.  While engaging her listeners by involving them in the story with songs, chants and participation activities they gain a valuable knowledge of the life of a true hero.

She has written an essay on “How and Why I Tell Stories” in the National Association of Black Storytellers Newsletter. On February 11, 18, 25, and March 4, 2015 she participated in a four part Professional Development Webinar on Storytelling in the Oral Tradition. In the fall of 2016 her latest book children’s book, Sunday’s Shadows, will be published.

Dutch, Polish, and Japanese influences. Offers workshops.