In December, our middle and high school Creating Balance Through Dance students had the opportunity to experience The Nutcracker at Tyler Junior College. Watching professional-style productions allows students to see the discipline, artistry, and storytelling that bring dance to life on stage. Field trips like these are more than just outings, they are immersive learning experiences that inspire creativity, broaden perspectives, and connect educational concepts to the real world. For many students, this was their first time attending a live ballet, opening their eyes to the possibilities within the performing arts. We are so glad to have these opportunities available to us through partners like Tyler Jr. College!

Black History Month is a time of reflection, education, and celebration! These values are deeply important to our organization. This February, we were honored to bring powerful arts experiences to our school communities, reaching over 1,000 young students! Elizabeth Kahura's Sounds of Africa brought the rich traditions of African culture to life, while Casey Muze's The Pulse of Freedom: Drumming Through Black History connected students to the rhythmic heartbeat of resilience and heritage. Hope Shiver's Git on Board! The Life of Harriet Tubman shared the inspiring journey of a true American hero. These experiences not only honor the legacy of Black history but also empower students to learn, engage, and celebrate through the arts.

This spring, we are thrilled to welcome a fantastic lineup of artists who will inspire and engage students through storytelling, music, and creativity! Margaret Clauder will bring Reading & Writing with Mother Goose to life, making literacy fun and interactive. Children's author Angela Henderson Smith will share her journey as a writer, encouraging young minds to explore the power of storytelling. Ramblin' Rita will captivate students with Texas Tales, weaving history and folktales into engaging performances. Percussionist Mark Shelton will lead Conduits for Creativity, a dynamic workshop! These opportunities are made possible because of your support! Thank you!

Our Northeast Texas Poetry in Schools Contest continues to highlight the power of student voices. This year, we received roughly 700 poems from 59 schools across the region, showcasing talent and imagination from students in grades 1st-12th. We will celebrate the winners in each grade level on Friday, April 25th at Region 7 ESC in Kilgore. They will share their winning poems with a captivated audience, become published poets, and the 12th-grade winner will receive a scholarship. We look forward to celebrating National Poetry Month in April with these amazing students! Thank you to Region 7 ESC and Rusk County Poetry Society for being great partners for this event!

Tuesday April 8, 2025

Willow Brook Country Club

3205 W Erwin St

Tyler, TX 75702

6pm | Honoree Reception

7pm | Dinner & Awards Ceremony

Join us for an evening dedicated to celebrating the power of arts education! Event includes live music, 3-course meal, awards, and special presentations!

There is still time sponsor this amazing event!

Thank you to all those supporting arts education!