Arts Education students Perform
On February 13 , the ECS 312 Arts Education students organized and performed a Valentine ’ s Day show for the residents at Wascana Rehabilitation Center . The key focus was on the importance of giving back to the community as well as helping future teachers think about and prepare for taking their own students out to a venue to share presentations from each of the Arts Ed strands . Together we discussed in our class concepts such as preparing students for an audience such as this , how to help students with their performances , the enriched learning that occurs during field trips , and students ’ awareness of the Arts community in which they live .
The students opened and closed with a group musical number . Some performed individual singing / musical instrumental pieces . Others worked in small groups to tap dance , perform a poetic reading with dramatization , perform with technological applications , and dance responsively to different eras of music . The students planned their contributions to the show collaboratively . This was a very rewarding experience . The following are some quotes from the reflections our Arts Ed students :
“ The performance at Wascana was a wonderful learning experience , which gave me many wonderful ideas for my future students .” ~ Amanda Moisuk
By Donna Nikiforuk
“ Our ECS312 class performance at the Wascana Rehab Centre was a great experience . It helped me as a performer to step outside of my comfort zone , but what is more important , it helped me as teacher and performance coordinator to witness and experience the planning and preparation processes that goes into a concert like this .” ~ Christopher Merk
“ Thinking about ways to talk about generosity is in a way very easily explained but very difficult to live out , especially as a group . Realistically , our society is not about giving back , it ’ s more about taking .” ~ Alex Lohnes
“ Students learn the importance of being an active part of the community- someone who is concerned with others and is trying to bring joy to people who need it . Doing kind acts makes you feel good . It ’ s that simple . Programs and performances such as this allow people to experience what doing a good deed feels like .” ~ Amy Koskie
“ After this experience I have decided , as a teacher , I would make it a ritual to expose my students to people in need . This would make them responsible and sensitive towards their community . This will change children ’ s perspective not only to focus on themselves but others in the community .” ~ Roxan McAtee �
Photo sCredit : Donna Nikiforuk
Megan Mossman , Danielle Beuker , and Alex Lohnes dancing to a medley
Chris Merk , Jesse Miller , and Deborah Nikkel demonstrating a tech loop song
Rob Neufeld singing acapella Amanda Corbett and Jessica Hickie tap dancing to “ Happiness ”
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