“Rhythm Journey” featuring performing artist Dan Egger-Belandria takes children and adults on a musical adventure

Katy, Texas Sept. 24, 2008 - ARTreach has successfully piloted a series of percussion-based music programs designed by professional musician and teaching artist Dan Egger-Belandria of Austin, Texas. Dan’s unique program is titled “Rhythm Journey” and supports early childhood development, social skills development, and education. ARTreach was able to bring this talented teaching artist to Katy to conduct his workshops for free and for children and adults who would not otherwise be given an opportunity to experience the arts in this unique capacity. ARTreach implemented the pilots in order to measure the impact this type of art programming has on cognitive and development skills.

Rhythm Journey was piloted for Katy ISD for preschool children at Mayde Creek Elementary and PPCD students at McRoberts Elementary. Additional workshops focusing on team building and group interaction were piloted for the Arc of Katy, and residents of Sunrise Assisted Living Community in Cinco Ranch.

    
ARTreach Program/Katy ISD Early Childhood Development Preschool Program – Photos by Gail Zaruba

In Katy ISD, Dan Egger- Belandria’s Rhythm Journey focused on early childhood development and explored learning concepts through movement, reading, listening, and music making. His program shared techniques that integrated music as an easy way to uncover learning differences, and nurture the creative side of students in a classroom environment.  Both the teachers and preschoolers at Mayde Creek Elementary and McRoberts Elementary benefited from the experience. “Dan’s workshop was very interactive and engaging for the kiddos and the teachers as well,” said Sharron Appel of MCE, “there are many languages spoken in this classroom, the music brought everyone together. It truly is the universal language!”

    
ARTreach Program/ARC of Katy       

ARTreach piloted Rhythm Journey as an interactive social skills and team building opportunity for adults with intellectual and physical disabilities. The ARC of Katy participants benefited. “We love it whenever ARTreach comes here, said ARC Life skills teacher, Therese Lattel, “But this was one was extra fun and involved everyone in a complete percussion music concert! Their faces and body language, told the story.”  

    
ARTreach Program at Sunrise Assisted Living Community    

Dan’s Rhythm Journey was also used to introduce rhythm and movement as a creative way to increase heart rate and circulation as demonstrated at the Sunrise Assisted Living Community in Cinco Ranch. “We see good things happen whenever ARTreach brings us a new program, but this one was surprising,” said Shannon Prejean of Sunrise, “rhythm filled the air, residents were attracted to the workshop, they came out of their rooms smiling and wanting to join the drumming circle.”

Dan Egger-Belandria is a professional musician and on the Texas Commission on the Arts Touring Artist roster, he offers numerous programs available to be booked by PTAs through Young Audiences of Houston.  Dan Egger Belandria is also developing new programs for ARTreach in Austin serving children at risk in the school districts. (www.artreachonline.org)  

This unique Katy pilot project was made possible by ARTreach thanks to a grant from Houston Endowment Inc., and additional support provided by Extreme Technologies Inc. and Lisa and Craig Guidry of Katy.  It is through individual donations, corporations and foundation grants like this that ARTreach raises the money needed to bring the arts to underserved communities. An individual workshop like Dan Egger Belandria’s Rhythm Journey can be sponsored for any community in need for just $240.

ARTreach programs are designed to support educational objectives, with aspects that focus on self esteem, team building and social skills development.  New ARTreach Programs are being developed and piloted this year for PPCD and Preschool Programs serving at risk children including ESL classrooms, Special needs classrooms, and life skills. Additional workshops and programs are being designed for the Elderly in Assisted Living, to support Alzheimer’s reminiscence and memory care.

These innovative programs are available to students in Katy ISD and Fort Bend ISD and through a list of ARTreach social service agency partners and assisted living communities. Please contact Terri Bieber at art.reach@earthlink.net  or call 281-392-5341 for more information. Learn more about the impact the arts have on children at risk, special needs groups and the elderly and consider sponsoring ARTreach Programs in your community.

Because Art Works!  www.artreachonline.org