Teaching Artist
Melody’s Teaching Philosophy
Melody is a strong supporter and advocate for arts education. Her art, music, and language teachers have been some of the most encouraging people in her life and she wants to give that gift to others. Art education is about more than being good at that art form, it’s about compassion, connecting with yourself and others, and employing creativity in other aspects of your life. No matter what she teaches, Melody hopes to show everyone their potential and bring out the best in them, however that happens.
Artist’s Note: I do my best to not include photos of any of my students faces. I cover them where I need to and try to use progress photos where their faces can’t be seen as often as possible. In my classes, I encourage students to be imperfect and try new things, and I can’t do that while also asking them to be camera ready for the sake of my portfolio. If you are interested in collaborating with me, I can privately share more photos of my students work where appropriate.
Experience
Melody began her journey as a teaching artist in 2016 as a summer camp Tech Teacher and has worked with students throughout her career ever since. Most recently she has worked with organizations such as Appel Farm Art & Music Center, Young Audiences, and Lyceum Hall Center for the Arts, among others. She primarily teaches technical theatre, drama, and storytelling. She has also done arts integration work where she works with core subject teachers to build lessons incorporating technical theatre and a relevant subject lesson. In 2023 she was part of the Arts Professional Learning Institute where she spent six months working with artists, educators, and teaching artists from NJ and Philadelphia to share and explore effective arts education methods.
Interested in collaborating with Melody for some arts education? Contact her here!
STUDENT GALLERY
The Rise and Fall of Tina Turtle
Tina Turtle was created out of love - the love her students had for art, and for recycling cardboard, fabric, and other materials. She was named for the late star Tina Turner, as respect for such an important pioneer of art, and thus was born into Miss Melody’s Open Studio in July 2023. The campers loved and treated Tina with such kindness and admiration, but she had a greater purpose to fulfill.
As camp reached its third week, Tina was called to arms to protect the Great Bristol Riverside. Mr. Reed volunteered to take her into battle, but they were attacked in transport - and Tina was nearly lost. Mr. Reed did all he could to protect her, but she was taken from him and held prisoner in a heat wave, trapped in a great metal cage. The campers asked after Tina everyday, concerned for her well-being, while the counselors, teachers, and staff of ArtRageous worked tirelessly to negotiate her release.
Finally! August 1st Tina was released, and Miss Jacqui and Mr. Reed went to her rescue. The heat she was left in was unbearable and she was thankful to be left in the chilly theatre at BRT, her new home. The campers treated her with care as Miss Melody and Miss Aimee worked diligently to restore her to her former glory. Her shell was cracked, her limbs were drooping and she needed much more support than she once did, but the sound of music, dancing, and the laughter of her wonderful campers kept her going through the most trying moments of her surgery and healing.
Sadly, when we returned to camp on Thursday, Tina was withering away. She refused to go out without trying her hardest to be in the show, as Mr. Zach, Miss Kim, and Miss Sarah all helped lift her up and helped her dance, one last time. Unfortunately, Tina passed shortly after with a smile on her face and love in her heart.
The teen campers carried Tina to her final resting place, and sang a beautiful ode to freedom to thank her for her courage and bravery on the battlefield against the Pollution of Our Oceans.
There is still much work to be done, to save the oceans Tina loved so much. She has left us here with new insight and wisdom as we move forward in protecting the planet - our Waterful World. As our campers and staff leave ArtRageous 2023, we will carry the lessons learned here with us forever.
Remember, friends: Reduce, Reuse, Recycle. Long Live Tina Turtle.
