Sandbank Shadow Factory

A Wild Goose Chase! (Grades PreK-5): A Wild Goose Chase! is a series of shadow puppetry vignettes designed to inspire creativity in young people and teach them key literary devices in ways that are fun, engaging, easy to grasp, and interactive. The use of puppetry has the two fold effect of making abstract literary concepts more concrete as well as making poetry a fresh and exciting subject. The performance, which lasts 45 minutes, is appropriate for all elementary grade levels.

Curriculum Addressed: Performing Arts, Literacy & Language Arts

Luke Vandergriff

Pepito & the Trash Cans (Grades K-5): Pepito & The Trash Cans is an engaging, bilingual musical story designed to captivate and educate students in grades K–5. Set in Bolivia, the story follows Pepito, a boy who longs to make music but faces poverty and limited resources. With the help of his siblings, he overcomes obstacles by building instruments from bottles, cans, and other found objects—turning trash into treasure.

Homemade Music – A STEAM Powered Celebration of Creativity and Sound!(Grades K-8): In this high-energy, interactive performance, Luke Vandergriff turns found objects and repurposed materials into a symphony of sound—teaching students how music, science, and imagination come together. With homemade instruments, looping technology, and a contagious passion for creativity, Luke guides students through the physics of sound while encouraging them to reclaim their creativity in a world dominated by screens. This is more than a show—it’s a call to explore, invent, and listen differently.

Curriculum Addressed: Music, Cultural Studies, STEAM, Spanish

Charles Pettee

Catch the Bluegrass Bug! (Grades PreK-2): Come one, come all! Students are in for a treat when Mr. Charles brings the music of the North Carolina mountains to life in this fast-paced, interactive journey into the many sounds of NC Bluegrass music! Clap along as Mr. Pettee stirs it up with his variety of musical instruments. Try out a new rhyme while singing “Ain’t No Bugs On Me!” or the “Lollipop Tree, ” or any of a number of the many joyful traditional tunes that make NC Bluegrass catchy!

Bluegrass Stomp (Grades 3-5): This informative and interactive show continues the romp through the musical styles from around the world that make up North Carolina Folk and Bluegrass music. With his blazing skills on the mandolin, guitar, banjo and harmonica, he is here to delight students and teachers alike with a whirlwind of musical styles from Africa to Europe to our own backyards! Students will experience cultural diversity as they hear Irish jigs, Spanish Flamenco, Southern  Blues, and Bluegrass, as Pettee demonstrates each instrument in turn. All are invited to “own” a portion of this unique NC style of music!

Curriculum Addressed: Music Education, Cultural Studies, History

Omar Ruiz Lopez

Fiddle Fusion: Styles, Rhythms, and Voices Across the World (Grades K-12): In this multi-lingual workshop and presentation, Omar Ruiz-Lopez and his acoustic band will explore different fiddle musical styles from all over the world, including old-time, bluegrass, Celtic, Brazilian, Latin-American, and Afro-Caribbean. They will cover accompaniment styles, how and when to use space, some fiddle extended technique (harmonics, percussive elements, strumming vs. plucking, etc.), and more! They will play a couple of songs and instrumental tunes in different styles and languages (Spanish, Portuguese and English), teaching the audience different rhythms and melodies they can join in during the performance. Let’s explore what works best with your musical voice while making a joyful noise with others!

Curriculum Addressed: Performing Arts, Music, Cultural Studies, History

Willa Brigham

Storytelling Fun, Laugh and Learn with Mrs. Willa (Grades PreK-5): Students will be entertained with songs, stories and poems that make them laugh and retain a life lessons. There will be plenty of room for call and refrain often at the end of averse or stanza in a poem, or in a song. It gives students and opportunity to go on the journey with Mrs. Willa from their seats.

Curriculum Addressed: Performing Arts, Music, Literacy & Language Arts

The Magic of African Rhythm

The Griot’s Gourd (Grades K-12): The Griot’s Gourd is a performance with storytelling instruments made from gourds. Through both traditional and original melodies, singing and dancing, The Magic of African Rhythm’s modern-day griots make connections between West Africa and North Carolina. Audiences are invited on stage to become part of the magic. Students will see, hear, and know for themselves that there is much more to Africa than just drums.

Curriculum Addressed: Performing Arts, Music, Dance, Cultural Studies

Pierce Freelon

Books and Beats (Grades K-2): Picture book author and Grammy-nominated artist Pierce Freelon brings two worlds together with Books + Beats: an interactive book reading and performance, featuring Pierce’s two children’s picture books published by Little Brown Books for Young Readers: Daddy and Me: Side by Side and Daddy-Daughter Day. This story time performance features a hands-on sound garden for kids weaved in with colorful illustrations and dynamic storytelling.

Curriculum Addressed: Performing Arts, Music, Literacy & Language Arts

Heather Pike

Learning through Stories in Motion (Grades PreK-2): This workshop, Learning through Stories in Motion, will give PreK-2 grade elementary students of all abilities the opportunity to connect literacy skills with dance and movement. Meaningful, arts-integrated lessons that enhance teachers’ literacy instruction and foster important literacy skills in students will be presented. The workshop includes literature and subject matter chosen collaboratively by the classroom teacher and teaching artists. Movement activities will encourage students to “dance the story” while learning vocabulary, phonics and reading comprehension strategies. Lessons are based upon and aligned with the NC ELA Standard Course of Study and NC Essential Standards for Dance. This workshop engages all learners through multi-sensory experiences and active participation. Movement is a powerful
learning tool!

Curriculum Addressed: Performing Arts, Dance & Movement, Literacy & Language Arts

Rosendo Peña

Music and Movement Foundations (Grades K-2): In this bilingual residency, students will explore the foundational elements of music and movement through singing, rhythm, dynamics, and creative expression. Students will learn to keep a steady beat by using body percussion, explore pitch by matching simple melodic patterns, and be exposed to new instruments and movement activities. Songs and activities will incorporate both English and Spanish, fostering language development and cultural appreciation.

Curriculum Addressed: Music, Cultural Studies, Spanish

Erim Akpan

Write into Wonder: Science Stories for Curious Minds (Grades K-5): In this engaging workshop, students explore science through the power of storytelling! Using imaginative writing prompts and creative activities, participants will dive into key science concepts like the solar system, the respiratory system, or the life cycle of plants. Students might write from the perspective of a traveling seed, a talking lung, or a curious alien visiting the planets. By blending creativity with scientific facts, this workshop helps students deepen their understanding while developing writing skills. It’s perfect for curious minds who love both science and storytelling—where creativity meets curiosity, and learning becomes an adventure!

Time Travelers’ Theater: History through Drama (Grades K-8): Step into the past in this interactive workshop where history comes alive through theater! Students will explore major events like the Boston Tea Party, the American Revolution, and key moments from world history by acting them out. Through roleplay, improvisation, and short skits, participants will deepen their understanding of historical figures, cultures, and events while building confidence and creativity. Whether reenacting debates or dramatizing turning points, students will connect with history in a fun, hands-on way that makes learning memorable and exciting.

Curriculum Addressed: Performing Arts, Science, History, Literacy & Language Arts

Luke VanderGriff

Homemade Instruments (Grades 3-8): In this engaging STEAM-based workshop, students will discover how music can be made from everyday objects. Luke Vandergriff, a multi-instrumentalist and educator, introduces students to a wide variety of wind, string, and percussion instruments crafted from found objects, trash, and reclaimed furniture. Through live demonstrations, students will explore the science of sound—how volume, vibration, length, and tension affect pitch and tone. Students will then build instruments of their own, such as, a paper kazoo and a straw clarinet. This hands-on experience reinforces scientific concepts while sparking creativity and resourcefulness. By the end of the workshop, students will leave not only with their own instruments, but also with a deeper understanding of sound, an appreciation for repurposed materials, and the confidence to create music with whatever they have on hand.

Curriculum Addressed: Performing Arts, STEAM, Sustainability

Braima Moiwai

Discovering Connections from Carolina to West Africa (Grades K-5): Why are diversity, equity and inclusion important in a community? Students will be engaged in celebrating diversity through their personal expressions and reflections. Students write poems, essays and share folklore, music and art that show understanding of their cultural heritage and some of the challenges they encounter in the community where they live. Students will explore hands-on drumming, interactive games and stories while learning about the importance of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion in the classroom.

Curriculum Addressed: Performing Arts, Cultural Studies, Literacy & Language Arts

Erim Akpan

Visual(izing) Math & Science Through the Art of Origami (Grades K-5): Teaching artist Erim Akpan makes math meaningful as students practice concepts and vocabulary through origami, the ancient Japanese art of paper-folding. Depending on instructor goals, the residency integrates mathematical concepts such as fractions, geometry, and/or the coordinate place. Alternatively, for science integrations, the residency explores ecosystem concepts such as seed plants’ life cycles, land or ocean animals’ habitats, or the symmetry of microorganisms like plankton. Students will also learn about Japanese culture and folklore as they create traditional origami forms.

Curriculum Addressed: Visual Art, STEAM, Cultural Studies

Jason Mullinax

Music Discovery Lab (Grades 2-5): Music Discovery Lab is an interactive five-day residency that blends science, sound, and storytelling into a vibrant, hands-on learning experience. Students explore the science of sound—what it is, how it travels—and use that knowledge to create music and tell stories through rhythm, noise, and creativity.

Curriculum Addressed: Performing Arts, Music, STEAM

Sandbank Shadow Factory – Matt Sandbank

The Science of Shadows (Grades 3-5): The Science of Shadows is a five day residency that uses shadow puppetry to elucidate the fundamental principles of light and shadow. Over the course of a week, professional shadow puppeteer Matt Sandbank guides students to design and construct their own shadow puppets, while teaching essential concepts about optics. The residency is designed for grades 3-5 and can take place over the course of single week or be blocked across a month with weekly visits.

Curriculum Addressed: Performing Arts, STEAM

Omar Ruiz Lopez – Performance

Fiddle Fusion: Styles, Rhythms, and Voices Across the World (Grades K-12): In this multi-lingual workshop and presentation, Omar Ruiz-Lopez and his acoustic band will explore different fiddle musical styles from all over the world, including old-time, bluegrass, Celtic, Brazilian, Latin-American, and Afro-Caribbean. They will cover accompaniment styles, how and when to use space, some fiddle extended technique (harmonics, percussive elements, strumming vs. plucking, etc.), and more! They will play a couple of songs and instrumental tunes in different styles and languages (Spanish, Portuguese and English), teaching the audience different rhythms and melodies they can join in during the performance. Let’s explore what works best with your musical voice while making a joyful noise with others!

Curriculum Addressed: Performing Arts, Music, Cultural Studies, History

Luke Vandergriff – Performance

Pepito & the Trash Cans (Grades K-5): Pepito & The Trash Cans is an engaging, bilingual musical story designed to captivate and educate students in grades K–5. Set in Bolivia, the story follows Pepito, a boy who longs to make music but faces poverty and limited resources. With the help of his siblings, he overcomes obstacles by building instruments from bottles, cans, and other found objects—turning trash into treasure.

Homemade Music – A STEAM Powered Celebration of Creativity and Sound!(Grades K-8): In this high-energy, interactive performance, Luke Vandergriff turns found objects and repurposed materials into a symphony of sound—teaching students how music, science, and imagination come together. With homemade instruments, looping technology, and a contagious passion for creativity, Luke guides students through the physics of sound while encouraging them to reclaim their creativity in a world dominated by screens. This is more than a show—it’s a call to explore, invent, and listen differently.

Curriculum Addressed: Music, Cultural Studies, STEAM, Spanish

Rosendo Peña – Workshop

Music and Movement Foundations (Grades K-2): In this bilingual residency, students will explore the foundational elements of music and movement through singing, rhythm, dynamics, and creative expression. Students will learn to keep a steady beat by using body percussion, explore pitch by matching simple melodic patterns, and be exposed to new instruments and movement activities. Songs and activities will incorporate both English and Spanish, fostering language development and cultural appreciation.

Curriculum Addressed: Music, Cultural Studies, Spanish