Program Offerings

Musical Instrument Petting Zoos

UniSound offers musical instrument petting zoos to member organizations, schools, libraries, and local community centers. The petting zoos have included string, brass, and percussion instruments in the past. The cost to host a petting zoo is $250, but financial assistance is available. Would you like to schedule a petting zoo? Please contact UniSound Program Manager, Emily Bovan, at emily@unisound.us. To see our full list of upcoming scheduled instrument petting zoos, click the button below!

Teaching Artist Workshops

UniSound offers numerous workshops taught by current and past Black Teaching Artists-in-Residence. Interested in booking a workshop? Email our Program Coordinator at emily@unisound.us.

Workshop/Programming Options: 

Anita Levels 

MUSIC (Expression) 

• “The Voice”: A multimedia presentation with photo and video illustrations of the anatomy and movement of the vocal cords.  This presentation will also include discussion of the care and techniques of maintaining a healthy voice before and after vocal performances. 
  Length: 30 min, 45 min, 1 hour  
  Grade: 6th+
  Age: 11+, Adult
   
• “Vocal Agility”:  A presentation of various vocal techniques common within Black American music traditions.  The lesson will begin with a fun vocal warm-up and then cover techniques such as vocal rifts and runs, the tradition of call and response, scatting found primarily in jazz music, and vocal improvisation.
  Length: 30 min, 45 min, 1.5 hours  
  Grade: 2nd+
  Age: 7+, Adult
   
• “Pens Up! And Write!”:  If you can think.  You can write!  This workshop will simplify and demystify the ideas of being a “songwriter”.  We are a lot more creative than we think.  This workshop will include writing prompts and ideas to get your Pens Up! And Write!
  Length: 30 min, 45 min, 1.5 hours
  Grade: 6th +
  Age: 11+, Adult 

MUSIC (Legacy/History) 

• “African Elements within Black American Music”:  A presentation that connects cultural elements and instruments within Blues, Black Gospel, Jazz, Hip Hop to West African countries.
  Length: 30 min, 45 min, 1.5 hours
  Grade: 6th +
  Age: 11+, Adult 

 

• “Sounds from the Underground”: This presentation will explore the songs and lyrics from the enslavement era of the Underground Railroad. This engaging workshop will include the Black tradition of call and response and the historical elements of remembering the bravery of those that embarked on and were ambassadors of the Underground Railroad.
  Length: 30 min, 45 min, 1.5 hours
  Grade: K+
  Age: 5+, Adult
   
• “From Urban to Suburban to the World”: This presentation explores the artists and groups that made Black-originated music…”American” music:  How did Jazz, Blues, and Hip-Hop music become “mainstream”?  What is a “mainstream” or a “crossover” hit?  Was this phenomenon good for Black musical culture?  For Black Culture? Pros/Cons? What can we ALL learn from this?  These questions and more will be discussed. 
  Length: 1.5 hours
  Grade: 11th, 10th
  Age: 15+, Adult 

MUSIC (Introspection) 

• “Inner Voice-Outer Voice”: This workshop explores how the inner voice has an impact on how you project your outer voice.  Is your inner voice saying, “my voice isn’t good enough”, or “my voice is too small”?  If so, let’s become more aware of the inner voice and how it impacts how we perform and present during vocal performances.  This workshop will also explore breathing and grounding exercises.
  Length: 30 min, 45 min, 1.5 hours
  Grade: 5th +
  Age: 9+, Adult

 Dr. Zuly Inirio 

• Foundations of Vocal Technique: This workshop will teach young singers the basic things they need to know in order to do any kind of singing in any musical genre. It’s the foundational work that every singer needs in order to continue to blossom into their own individual singing voices. We will cover the following topics: breath management, posture, diction, vocalizing, practicing and preparation, and performance.  

Length: 30 min, 45 min, 1 hour 15min  

Grade: 3rd +  

Age: 8+, Adult 

•  So, You Think You Know Opera? This workshop will introduce opera as a storytelling art form that originated as a means to reflect the people and will expose students to new operas and diverse compositions happening today that tell stories outside of the Eurocentric lens.  

Length: 30 min, 45 min, 1 hour 15min  

Grade: 9th + 

Age: 14+, Adult 

• Activism in Classical Music: This workshop focuses on activism in classical music that challenges Eurocentric narratives and aims to push the classical music scene to be more equitable and representative of the people making music and the communities they serve. 

Length: 30 min, 45 min, 1 hour 15min  

Grade: 9th + 

Age: 14+, Adult 

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