The following education performances are a product of the Hylton Performing Arts Center’s relationship with Prince William County Public Schools, Manassas City Public Schools, and Manassas Park City Schools.
Each year, the Hylton Center works together with local school systems to design custom arts experiences for students. Below are some of this season's opportunities. For more information and registration details email Hylton@gmu.edu
Virtual Field Trips
Sonia De Los Santos – Video Series – Fall 2022
Born and raised in Monterrey, Mexico, Sonia De Los Santos was born with a smile on her face (as her mom always says) and she can easily find things in the world that bring her joy. In this special concert recorded in New York City with her band, Sonia shares songs about things that make her happy: migrating birds, being grateful to her parents, her new hometown of New York City, and the importance of hope! These songs in Spanish and English are inspired by various Latin American rhythms, including son jarocho, cumbia, gaita, currulao and huayno hailing from Mexico, Colombia, Peru, and North American folk traditions from the United States. Messages of joyful community music-making and cultural bridge-building will inspire children and grownups of all backgrounds.
In addition to the concert video, two interactive companion videos about Latin rhythms and Sonia’s instruments are also included.
Kattam and his Tam-Tams: Rhythms of West Africa – Video Series – Spring 2023
Join percussionist Kattam Laraki-Côté on a West African adventure! Discover the culture of West Africa through drumming, singing, and dancing. Experience the language and rhythms of the Krin, Djembe, Gongoma, Kashaka, N’goni, and Doum doums, and learn how these instruments shaped and express regional culture.
In-Person Field Trips
Mummenschanz – 50 Years
Spectacular large-scale masks, clever puppetry, and inventive use of shadow and light delight the whole family in Mummenschanz’s “50 Years.” The Swiss troupe creatively cuts through cultural and language boundaries in a performance of wordless poetry and whimsical theater. Mummenschanz became a household name in the 1970s thanks to special appearances on The Muppet Show, Johnny Carson Show, and Sesame Street. Celebrating half a century of performances, "50 years" reprises classic sketches and characters as well as the next generation of silent wonders.
Artist-in-Residence – Creole for Kidz and the History of Zydeco with Terrance Simien & the Zydeco Experience
In this interactive performance designed especially for kids, Grammy Award-winner Terrance Simien entertains and educates about the Creole culture of south Louisiana and Zydeco music. This performance explores the American roots music genre that is the traditional or folk music of the Black and multiracial French-speaking Creoles of Louisiana.
Jazz at Lincoln Center Presents Let Freedom Swing: Jazz and Democracy
Join the virtuosic rising stars of Jazz at Lincoln Center in performance as they explore Jazz and Democracy while learning about the blues, swing, improvisation, Bessie Smith, Louis Armstrong, Duke Ellington, and more. American democracy was designed from the very beginning around the idea of personal freedom. These key phrases from early American history—“We the People,” “E Pluribus Unum” and “A More Perfect Union”— have served as important themes for our nation since its founding. These ideas are relevant to the world of jazz as well: a group of diverse musicians negotiating in time to create a collective expression reflecting the unique values of each individual for the good of everyone. The traditions of experimentation and improvisation in jazz resemble the innovative approach of America’s democracy in placing faith in its people and striving to invent something new, different, and perhaps, even better.