School Programs and Concerts   Lui Collins presents a musical program rich in tradition, myth, imagery and imagination for children from pre-school through grade 4. Collins is animated and enthusiastic, maintaining a relaxed dialogue with the children, engaging them in the songs while giving an educational perspective. An active and dynamic participant in the performance is Lui's realistic bear puppet Ursa (Latin and Portuguese for "bear"), who engages the children with jokes and conversation, and greets them with giggles when they line up to meet her after the program. A Lui Collins live performance includes songs written by Collins as well as Jane Yolen poems she has set to music, and old-timey banjo tunes. Collins accompanies her rich alto with guitar, banjo and piano. Collins' CD North of Mars, where many of these songs are recorded, received a Parents' Choice Honor in 1995, and was reviewed by National Public Radio's All Things Considered in 1995. Collins' songs speak gently of hope and love and respect. She makes the political personal, becoming the mentor, quietly sharing her own values. Rather than overtly addressing environmental awareness, for instance, Collins teaches regard for the Earth simply by sharing her own awe of the Earth's beauty and abundance. Included in the program are "Sedna," a song and story based on an Inuit myth, "Maisha ni Safi," a song with phrases in Swahili emphasizing the diversity and similarity of all peoples ("In either language a mama's a mama, Vijana or children, they're all dear to me"), and discussion and teaching of American Sign Language in the song "Peace on Earth." Other topics include nature and ecology, animal study, human relationship, acceptance of diversity among individuals, and, always a favorite, dinosaurs. In addition to performances, Collins offers songwriting workshops, work with choral groups, and residencies. Collins is a member artist of the Massachusetts Cultural Council's Event and Residency Roster, which provides funding assistance for school programs in the state of Massachusetts. Songwriting Workshops and Artist Residencies Collins also leads songwriting workshops with the children, working with small groups of students in grades K-4, guiding them through the songwriting process. A group will write a song together, with Lui directing the process, taking ideas from the children for lyrics and melody and helping them shape it together into song form. Teacher participation helps keep the children focused, and models interested behavior. Workshops can involve one 45 minute session, or can include followup sessions. Short to medium length sessions are preferable, especially with younger children, according to their attention span limitations, with input solicited from teachers regarding appropriate guidelines for the particular skill-levels of their classes, to maximize the benefits of the workshop. Artist residencies are available as well, giving continuity to group workshops, and allowing for tutoring for students interested in individual writing projects, with the possibility of culminating with an in-school sharing of songs by student writers with their fellow classmates. Biographical Information Collins has been performing, writing and recording since the 1970's, earning international recognition for her music. Children were among Lui's most avid fans even before she began giving children's concerts. Along with the genuineness of her presentation, the beauty and magic of her music seem to entrance people of all ages. Her children's concerts evolved naturally, starting with story hours at the local library with her own children, performing in local schools, and leading songwriting workshops for the students. In 1992 she became involved with the Grumbling Gryphons Children's Theater Arts Camp. That year she wrote "Peace on Earth" for the culminating production, and in 1993, the song "Sedna," based on an Inuit myth, from her collaboration with the children. At the urging of audience members, Collins released North of Mars: A Bunch of Kids' Songs in 1995. This highly acclaimed album has been awarded a Parents' Choice Honor for 1995. Shoofly, a children's cassette magazine, featured several songs from North of Mars on its Fall 1995 volume. NPR's All Things Considered recommended the CD, calling it "beautifully rendered." Quotes "Lui did an outstanding job in a three-part songwriting workshop last February, April and May, 1998 with our elementary students. In a most creative and inspiring way, she set the stage for children to write their own original compositions. The children's compositions far exceeded anybody's expectations. Many were eager to go further and do more. Under Lui's guidance, the students then worked with her to put their words to music. "Lui worked in group settings and tutorials during her time on campus. The culminating activity was a presentation of the songs to the parents. All in attendance were delighted with the children's song offerings. Lui helped the children to do their utmost. At the song performance, the adults had a wonderful time. Afterwards, the children were clearly very pleased with themselves." —Susan Wallen, Head of School, Litchfield Country School, Litchfield, Connecticut "With nearly 200 kindergarten children gathered it was indeed a magical moment when Lui and Dana commenced to perform. Our purpose in coming together was to celebrate the Week of the Young Child. Lui's lyrics are a unique tribute to children around the globe, reflecting the genuine respect she has for young people. "Teachers at the elementary level can be assured that curriculum connections from the fanciful (dinosaurs) to the more serious (diversity, friendship and forgiveness) can be found within the lyrics Lui so thoughtfully writes. Take your children into the world of her folk songs. You will be spellbound." —Peg Bissell, Francestown Elementary School, Francestown, New Hampshire The gifts Lui Collins and Dana Robinson shared with us when they visited our school just before Thanksgiving turned out to be rare indeed: intelligent, beautiful songs invoking whimsey, myth, and home-spun tradition --- drawing on sources from Appalachia to New England, from Africa to the Arctic. From the opening notes, it was evident how much warmth and respect these two singer-musicians hold for both their material and their audience. With their crisp vocal and instrumental arrangements and their articulate but down-to-earth comments between songs, Lui and Dana invited us to become collaborators in not only creating music, but exploring its human significance. The resulting harmonies will be echoing gently through our school for some time. —Chip Hedler, Rumney Memorial School, Middlesex, Vermont "Having taught writing for many years, it was interesting (and reassuring) to observe that the process you used to generate ideas and focus them in to a song is consistent with how good teachers work. I know this had an impact because of how my son Matt reacted. When we were home the evening after sending you off to Utah,he went to my basement workshop and got a large drawing tablet. Leaning it against the couch he announced,"Dad,we need to write some more songs." As you might guess the whale theme continued through humpback,blue,and sperm whales until bed time. At 5:30 a.m. the next day we worked on songs about right,grey,and beluga whales. Reading and songwriting have become part of our regular routine. I thank you for that." —Tom Balchak, Fine Arts Coordinator, Poudre School District, Ft. Collins, CO Selected School Performances and Workshops: Poudre School District, Ft. Collins, CO (Tom Balchak, Fine Arts Coordinator 970-490-3648) performances, songwriting workshops Francestown Elementary Schools, Francestown, NH (Peggie Bissell 978-939-2307) performance, curriculum integration Litchfield Country School, Litchfield, CT (Susan Wallen, Admin. 860-283-5920) performances, 3-part songwriting workshop

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