Education Wizard

During this presentation, Mr. McCormack plays music on a different ethnic instrument with each story from a different country. He plays the didgeridoo with an Australian myth. Education Wizard concludes by playing music on multiple instruments at the same time! This performance is an adventure in cultural diversity.
(The assembly runtime is 45-60 minutes.)

Note: Thomas will confer with teachers ahead of time to determine what countries their classes are studying, then he will perform stories from those cultures.

References:
"I really enjoyed the effective expressions and dramatizations, and particularly your Ethos of the legends that was interwoven with indigenous languages. In particular, you gave insight to the audience about the identity of indigenous peoples fore-bearers. Kia Kana (Go Forth In Strength)"
Wrote an Elder from the Maori Marae, Masterton District Library ~ Masterton, New Zealand

"What I found effective was how the stories really kept all the students attention. I really enjoyed your storytelling performance and have no comments on how to improve it. The students thought it was great!"
Wrote the principal from Mills Haven School in Sherwood Park ~ Alberta, Canada.

McCormack shape-changes into different creatures through this animated performance that includes clapper-stick, rattle and drum. These tribal stories are shared with elder’s and leaders at Native American communities across North America. Legend-teller draws on over 50 hours of tribal tales from his extensive repertoire. The myth’s come from a time when the animals were people and could talk to each other. Sample Video
(The assembly runtime is 45-60 minutes.)
Note: Thomas will confer with teachers ahead of time to determine what tribes their classes are studying, then he will perform stories from those tribes. 

References:
"I was very impressed with the cultural experience you shared. The stories, song and music with indigenous objects all came together through the Medicine Power. You brought the ancestral time and traditional places to our audiences through your storytelling."
Leon Jett (Festival Organizer) Eiteljorge Native American Museum (2002 Indian Market Event) ~ Indianapolis, Indiana

"I liked the way Thomas used movement in telling the stories. I also enjoyed the different voices he used for the various characters. He was terrific! The students were very attentive and really enjoyed the performance."
Comment's from he principal at Brown Elementary School in Reno, Nevada

This program has numerous distinct dialoging characters with Native American interaction from Missouri to Oregon. This refreshing rendering of the pioneer journey contains Native American perspectives. Old west and native objects enhance the ambience of this program. A native legend is shared by a medicine person along the way. An Applegate Trail variation is included. A California Trail assembly program is also available. (The assembly runtime is 45-60 minutes.)

There is an interactive window halfway through each assembly and a question and answer period at the conclusion.

References:
"Mr. McCormack has obviously done much research to prepare for these presentations. Excellent!"
(following a Young Audiences performance) Comments from the Principal at Buttonwillow Elementary School ~ Buttonwillow, California

"The students response to his performance was great. Afterwards, (in class) they brought-out how they enjoyed his antics, movements, change of voice and how humorous he was. I also like the details he used to describe the settings".
Mrs. Gonzales (teacher) Starr King Elementary ~ Long Beach, California

"Thomas McCormack is a dynamic storyteller and the children enjoyed his program very much! They were most impressed by his different voices. His energy and passion while telling the stories is what makes him great"
Ms. Sandra Velasco (teacher) Starr King Elementary School ~ Long Beach, California

(For Junior-High and High School Students)
This program incorporates ethnic cultural tools as effective diversion and redirection for teen youth. Thomas brings story cosmology to life as he inspires cultural exploration. He conveys a dynamic prevention message that reaches the pulse of students. Mr. McCormack demonstrates the synergistic impact of story, song, poetry, music, movement and cultural objects. Some students get to experience the cultural objects during an interactive window halfway through the assembly. This program highlights rites of passage from different global cultures. A lively discussion ensues that is informative and entertaining. A summary with a question and answer period is at the close. (The assembly runtime is 45-60 minutes.)

* Mr. McCormack will meet with school administrators, counselors or teachers prior to the assembly to determine the specific substance abuse areas they want him to address during the assembly.

References:

Mr. McCormack's Substance Abuse Prevention Programs are endorsed by John Lennsen, the Director of the Oregon Department of Education's Substance Abuse Prevention Division

For this Teen Substance Abuse Prevention Program, multiple rates apply.

During this cultural concert, McCormack plays music on different ethnic instruments from various countries across the globe. This includes the Native American cedar flute, bamboo flutes from China and Japan, the Didjureedu from Australia, the Sand Drum from Indonesia, the Komodo-Skin Dragon Drum from Bali, the Double-Barrel Goat Horn from Morocco and Ocarina from Central America… among others. Since Thomas is phonetically multilingual, he often will surprise the audience with an indigenous song with ethnic depth. At the close, he leaves the audience spellbound with a multiple musical arrangement of extreme impossibility. (The assembly runtime is 45-60 minutes.)

Note: Thomas will meet with teachers ahead of time to determine what countries their classes are studying, then he will perform music from those cultures. 

EducationWizard's fee's are negotiable and subject to the number of presentations.