Spaulding Youth Center Celebrates the Arts at its 28th Annual Arts Festival
June 23, 2014
Under the direction of Arts Coordinator Andrew Raeside, the students at Spaulding Youth Center performed folk tales from China, Africa and India at the 28th annual Arts Festival. The production was made possible in part through a partnership with the Arts Alliance of Northern NH and VSA NH, under a contract with the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts. The contract helped support residencies with musical director and world musician Randy Armstrong along with set designer Marek Bennett, who worked with Raeside and the students for a couple of months to produce this impressive extravaganza. All students participated in the production by acting, singing, creating sound effects or playing a musical instrument. The appreciative audience that was invited to chant and sing along, was also treated to a guitar solo by Armstrong who is a world fusion music pioneer.
The vibrant art and music program at Spaulding has also been supported by the Robert A. Krueger Arts Fund since 2004. The arts are an especially successful vehicle to bring children and youth of all ages and learning styles together to learn, create, perform, express themselves and have fun. Melissa Blanock, Psy.D., Director of Program Quality Assurance comments on the program, “At Spaulding we foster the academic, social and emotional growth of the whole child and celebrate his or her accomplishments daily. We benefit greatly from a multi-talented team, including the many talents and areas of expertise Raeside brings to the table.”
Spaulding Youth Center is a leading provider of services for children and youth with neurological, emotional, behavioral, learning and/or developmental challenges including Autism Spectrum Disorder. Services include academic, behavioral health, residential, foster care, health and wellness and family support.
For information about Spaulding Youth Center, contact Gail Mayhew, Director of Development at 603-286-7500 ext. 532, GMayhew@SpauldingYouthCenter.org or visit www.spauldingyouthcenter.org.
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